Details of program This information refers to the study plan from Dezember 14, 2023 and applies to new students starting their master's studies from fall 2024 onwards. Information reerring to the study plan from May 5, 2012 can be accessed via this link. Weiter ... Master's students are required to attend courses in three out of seven subject fields (political theory, political system of Switzerland, political system of the EU, international relations, comparative political science, policy analysis and political sociology). A semester of study at a university with a teaching language other than German is required. A maximum of 30 credits must be attained during this semester. The program offers the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in areas already covered in the BA as well as to learn about new topics. When combined with a suitable minor, the Master's program in Political Science enables students to further pursue their interests and gain additional knowledge in all different fields of political science. For example, the «Minor Verwaltungswissenschaften» or the «Master Minor in Sustainable Development» can be studied in combination with the Major in Political Science. A Minor (30 ECTS) is offered for students of other subjects.
Scheme of program Select your degree program Please select Master Major (90 ECTS) Master Minor (30 ECTS) Master Minor Verwaltungswissenschaft (30 ECTS) Flyer Infobroschüre Master Politikwissenschaft (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Combination possibilities The Master's degree program in Political Science consists of a major with 90 ECTS credits and a minor with 30 ECTS credits. Any subject taught in a sufficient scope at the University of Bern can be chosen as a minor. However, students are not permitted to have a major and minor in the same branch of study. The minor in Administrative Science (30 ECTS) can only be taken by master students majoring in Political Science or Sport Science at the University of Bern. Available minors
Master thesis The Master program is completed when the master thesis is submitted. Students must agree on the content requirements for the master thesis with their advisor. The following individuals are currently authorized to advise students with their master thesis: Any political science professor (or lecturer) can advise students who have officially registered for the Master Colloquium. The following individuals are authorized to advise students with their master thesis: Prof. Dr. Marc Bühlmann Prof. Dr. Manfred Elsig (WTI) Prof. Dr. Markus Freitag Prof. Dr. Karin Ingold Prof. Dr. Fritz Sager (KPM) Prof. Dr. Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen Prof. Dr. Adrian Vatter Prof. Dr. Fabio Wasserfallen There may also be additional requirements for thesis advisement. Generally, the student must have attended at least one seminar taught by the professor in question. Guidelines for Master Theses and Academic Writing: Guidelines for Writing a Master Thesis (Document in German) (PDF, 136KB) Colloquium An initial concept for the thesis is presented and discussed in one of the three specialized Master Colloquia. Master Colloquia are held every semester. A total of 30 ECTS credits are awarded for the master thesis (including the Colloquium). The following Doctoral and Master Colloquia are offered: Policy Analysis and Regulation (Prof. Ingold, Prof. Elsig, Prof. Sager) Swiss Politics and Political Sociology (Prof. Bühlmann, Prof. Freitag, Prof. Vatter) Comparative Politics and the Political System of the EU (Prof. Stadelmann-Steffen, Prof. Wasserfallen) Participation in an MA Colloquium requires prior consultation with, and the agreement of, the advisor as regards the specific research topic of the master thesis (consultation and agreement no later than six weeks before classes begin in the coming semester). Students register with the person responsible for the organization of the colloquium via e-mail prior to the beginning of the semester. Degree completion The application for the completion of a Bachelor or Master's degree must be submitted to the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences. You will find further information about the application process at the website of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences. Doctoral data for BA/MA Additional information You will find additional information on the colloquia and participation requirements in the Core Teaching System (CTS) and the ILIAS. Documents required when the master thesis is submitted: Declaration of Academic Integrity for Bachelor and Master Theses (Document in German) (PDF, 94KB) Permission form allowing the university library to lend out the work (Document in German) (PDF, 72KB) Information on the thesis submission (format, binding, number of copies, additional documents) can be found in the Guidelines for Writing a Master Thesis.
Deadlines Semester dates Current dates of the academic year and lecture periods of all degree courses incl. semester breaks and vacation New students Apply for a degree program Request for change of study program/s Current students Renewal of semester registration for the forthcoming semester Request for change of study program/s Registration for BeNeFri Request for leave of absence Request for removal from Student Registry for one of the following reasons: completion of studies, interruption of studies or dropping out of university Request for transfer from master's degree course to doctorate Request for extension of period of study
Requirements Individual academic requirements The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master’s degree program: Major in Political Science (90 ECTS credits): Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a major or minor in Political Science or Social Sciences (at least 60 ECTS credits with courses in basic methodology) Lecture and accompanying seminar in "Social Science Statistics" (6 ECTS credits) Lecture in "Introduction to Empirical Social Research" (3 ECTS credits) Lecture in "Qualitative Methods in Social Science" (3 ECTS credits) Empirical research internship (8 ECTS credits) Depending on the type of degree, other admission requirements which must be fulfilled in order to complete the master's degree program may apply. Minor in Political Science (30 ECTS credits): Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minor in Political Science or Social Sciences (minimum of 30 ECTS credits). Minor in Administrative Science (30 ECTS credits): Admission to the master’s degree program in Political Science (major) at the University of Bern Recognition of the bachelor's degree will be individually decided upon if the degree is more than six years old. Additional attainments may be required Swiss bachelor's degrees/programs from the University of Bern that allow admission to the desired master's degree program without any assessment: Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Universities of Applied Sciences which authorize the holder to be directly admitted to the requested Master’s program with corresponding requirements (PDF, 123KB) in Social Work; additional attainments of up to 60 ECTS credits will be required (Document in German) Language requirements Sufficient knowledge of German is required in order to be able to understand source texts, lectures or examination questions. Written or oral examinations can be taken in German, French or English. Application and admission General admission requirements Application and admission with a Swiss degree Application and admission with an international degree Zulassungsbedingungen Master am Departement ab 01 06 2015 (document in German) (PDF, 109KB) For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.
Swiss bachelor's degrees/programs from the University of Bern that allow admission to the desired master's degree program without any assessment: Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Universities of Applied Sciences which authorize the holder to be directly admitted to the requested Master’s program with corresponding requirements (PDF, 123KB) in Social Work; additional attainments of up to 60 ECTS credits will be required (Document in German)
Application and admission Application and admission Admission requirements Application deadlines Current UniBE students Apply for a change to the M A in Political Science, Universität Bern by self-service as part of the re-registration for the next semester. Renewal of semester registration → Self-service Recognition of academic achievements Procedure and timing of the renewal of semester registration Application with a Swiss degree Online application Assessment Steps from application to registration Application with an international degree Online application CHECKLIST - Documents for your application / Important information Steps from application to registration For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.
