Political Science

Entry requirements

1. A completed Bachelor's degree in Political Science or a related discipline from a recognised, academic university.
   A substantial part of the courses in your Bachelor’s degree should be in your preferred specialisation: International Relations, Political Theory, Comparative Politics or Public Administration (COMPASS).
2. Competency in Social Science Research Methodology (quantitative and qualitative)
   Due to the strong academic nature of this programme, it is essential that students have the necessary basic research skills. Applicants with little or no Social Science Research Methodology in their previous education may get admission, provided they first complete an (oral) examination in research methodology. The oral exam can be held in person in Nijmegen or via Skype.
3. A proficiency in English
   In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English.This requirement has been satisfied when the student meets the conditions, listed on our website.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Power shapes politics, but what shapes power in the 21st Century? The Radboud Master's programme in Political Science offers a unique opportunity for highly motivated students to prepare for a rewarding career in leading positions in the public and private sector.

Master's specialisations

You choose one of our six specialisations within the Master's programme:

Comparative Politics

Focus on political challenges faced by contemporary (non-)democracies in a globalising world, such as growing inequalities, new demands on representative institutions, and pressures created by both migration and demographic change.

Conflict, Power and Politics

Critically explore themes such as warfare,political systems, the articulation of political demands, ethnic violence and which ethical dilemmas arise in such situations.

European Union Politics and Governance | Political Science

How can the effectiveness of EU policy be ensured? How does the EU engage with societal actors, and what effect does this have on the EU's legitimacy? This multidisciplinary Master's equips you with cutting-edge insights from politics and governance to tackle questions like these.

Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Politics

This specialisation introduces you not only to issues and ongoing debates in the field of gender and diversity studies in organisations and politics, but also offers the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the state of the art in the field and to acquire knowledge of different policy practices related to it and their gendered implications.

Global Political Economy

Learn to understand and explain the interrelatedness of global politics and global economics. Uncover the power struggles behind policy choices in the field of trade, finance, climate and investment.

International Relations

Learn how to investigate global cooperation and conflict from different perspectives and to analyse the essential players that shape global politics: governments, international organisations, media, businesses and NGOs.

Political Theory

Study various aspects of the relationship between political power and morality. The central question here is whether political principles, institutions, and practices can ever be legitimate. What may we force each other to do? What should we do?

Social and Cultural Science: Comparative Research on Societies (research)

Have you ever wondered how diversity, solidarity and inequality are connected? Or how to counter radicalisation? How segregation in social networks arises? How organisational processes influence inequality? This programme is the one for you!

If you have any questions, email us here: study-information@ru.nl

Learn more via the Radboud University contact form.

Information for international students

Application deadlines

Non-EU/EEA students

• The deadline for non-EU/EEA students who wish to apply for a scholarship is 31 January prior to the September intake. For the requirements and selection procedure for scholarships, please check our scholarship overview.
• The deadline for those not applying for a scholarship is 1 April for non-EU/EEA nationals for the September 2026 intake. You can apply for the September 2026 intake from 1 October 2025.

EU/EEA students

• The application deadline for EU/EEA students with housing assistance for the September 2026 intake is 1 May, and the deadline without housing assistance is 1 July. You can apply from 1 October onward for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The application deadlines for Master’s starting in February are 1 November for non-EU/EEA citizens and 1 December for EU/EEA citizens.

Fees and funding

Radboud University offers 3 different scholarships that are open to prospective Master's students from non-EU/EEA countries and who want to follow an English-taught Master's programme.

Radboud Scholarship Programme

The Radboud Scholarship Programme offers talented, highly motivated, non-EU/EEA students with outstanding study results the opportunity to be awarded a partial scholarship for an English-taught Master’s programme.

NL Scholarship (for prospective students)

The NL Scholarship (formerly known as Holland Scholarship) is a partial scholarship for non-EU/EEA students who want to do their Master’s in the Netherlands.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

The Fulbright Commission, sponsored by Radboud University, is offering scholarships for talented American students to study at Radboud University.