Discovering the politics of public policymaking.
Immigration, environmental degradation, population ageing and global poverty are just a few of the political challenges that contemporary policymakers face. In an increasingly globalised world, it is more important than ever that governments respond quickly and effectively to these challenges. National governments, however, increasingly share responsibility for designing and implementing effective policy with several layers of government (local, regional, national, international) and different types of actors (governments, non-profit organisations, businesses).
Designing effective policies in different political systems
The COMPASS specialisation provides the skills needed for a career in government or other policymaking organisations (NGOs, international organisations, advocacy groups). Courses focus on the barriers to and facilitators of reform, Europeanisation and compliance with EU directives, welfare state reform, and the problems governments face in the 21st century.
The degree awarded for completing COMPASS is either a Master's degree in Public Administration or in Political Science. By joining both disciplines, the specialisation incorporates the strengths of both.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/cpas
- The programme offers a unique combination of the theoretical foundations of Comparative Politics and the practical side of Public Administration
- Teaching takes place in a stimulating, collegial setting, with small groups, giving ample opportunity for debate
- The staff has a wide range of expertise, integrating their latest research into their seminars
- Staff members are actively involved in advising government, societal and political organisations
The Master’s specialisation in Comparative Politics, Administration, and Society (COMPASS) addresses themes of current significance to governance in Europe and elsewhere, drawing on experiences from different countries and teaching the analytical skills necessary for devising effective solutions for the challenges facing society. Because of COMPASS’s emphasis on understanding and analysing policymaking and administration at different levels of government, graduates will be able to identify the barriers to and facilitators of reform.
If you want to become a professional in government, COMPASS provides you with the tools needed for working in an ever changing environment and gives you an edge in an increasingly competitive job market. By choosing topics in their course works, students have the opportunity to specialise within the programme. Thus, developing a personal profile that strengthens their distinctiveness. Once graduated, you will leave the programme with a firm knowledge of complex issues and current changes in governance and international politics, and the skills to provide clever solutions. The programme thus
prepares you for senior positions in different organisations, for example the UN, the OECD and EU; public employers, such as local, regional and central government departments; thinktanks, advisory bodies and consultancy firms.
Political decisions are increasingly made in complex multi-governance systems. Transnational institutions such as the UN, the EU, the World Bank and the IMF have grown in importance. Policy problems are seldom the remit of a single government, but often involve several layers of government (local, regional, national, transnational) and several types of actors (governments, non-profit organisations, businesses). Moreover, recent reforms in many countries have led to the fragmentation of the public sector.
This fragmentation of the public sector comes at a time when governments face a particularly difficult set of problems. Economic and financial crises threaten the sustainability of what we used to take for granted. Social and demographic changes, such as population ageing, have made existing social policies and public programmes controversial. New technologies have radically changed the risks that we face and how we perceive them. These developments have implications for the training and skills of those who wish to work in the public sector and NGO sector.
- Components
The Master’s specialisation in Comparative Politics, Administration and Society is designed to address these issues and impart the skills necessary for a young professional in contemporary public administration. The one-year programme consists of two components:
An advanced general course that refines the analytical skills necessary for an international and comparative orientation.
Courses that specifically address the issue of the interaction between different levels of administration: international, national, and regional. The courses focus on, for instance, the barriers to and facilitators of reform, Europeanisation and compliance with EU directives, how various countries deal with problems concerning the social welfare state, and the challenges governments face in the 21st century. Courses emphasise questions such as: what are the implications when policy risks and issues are spread over different levels of administration? What happens when national administrations lose competencies to international bodies?
- Ethics
All courses in this Master’s specialisation include some training in the ethical dimensions of public administration. We believe that professions in the public and semi-public sector should be able to identify the ethical aspects of politics and public administration, because political processes are never neutral. Courses emphasise questions such as: which criteria need to be met for which players before an agreement can be reached? What hidden agendas could influence a policy? What interests are involved during an official inquiry?
- Change perspective
This Master’s specialisation provides students with a broad foundation concerning the way in which governments deal with contemporary problems. Students will learn that standardised solutions can be counter-productive because each country has its own unique context (such as culture and history) which needs to be taken into account when designing policy solutions.
Find information on Scholarships here http://www.ru.nl/scholarships
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/cpas
Analysing the challenges facing 21st Century (non-)democracies
Is immigration a threat to democracy? Is Europe witnessing a surge in populist sentiment? How can governments reform their welfare states to deal with the growing costs of an ageing population? Contemporary governments face these and other political challenges in an increasingly globalised world. In the Master's specialisation in Comparative Politics, you’ll examine the configuration of political power within countries as well as analyse how and why political responses to contemporary challenges vary across countries.
The specialisation provides students with strong theoretical foundations and substantive empirical knowledge in subjects such as representative and deliberative democracy, political parties, democratic reform, the welfare state, gender and immigration policy. Our emphasis on both theory and empirical knowledge provides the tools to critically analyse contemporary problems facing democracies, both within and outside of Europe. It will also train you to assess the effects of proposed policy solutions. You will be prepared for a career in leading positions in both the public and private sector.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/cp
- Our international CP staff has a wide range of expertise, including, political parties, electoral politics, gender, inequality, welfare states, immigration and populism. Staff members integrate their latest research and those of their colleagues into their seminars.
- Our programme is consistently ranked number one by the most influential Dutch higher education rating organisations. The key to this success is our emphasis on small and interactive classes and the quality of our instructors.
- Radboud University boasts a strong international community.
- Staff members are actively involved in advising governments, societal and political organisations, incorporating practical experience and insights into their teaching.
The Comparative Politics Master’s will provide new insights into configurations of political power around the world. Politics is much more than elections; it’s also about grass roots mobilisation, mediatisation, and conflicts over values.
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. Non-native speakers* of English without a Dutch Bachelor's degree or VWO diploma need one of the following:
- a. TOEFL (iBT) Certificate: minimum overall score of 90, with subscores not lower than 18, or
- An IELTS score of >6.5 with subscores not lower than 6.0, or
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) ): minimum score of C, or
- Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): minimum score of C.
Our graduates have the skills that employers want: sound research and analytical skills; excellent written and oral communication skills; and experience in working in teams and independently.
These skills and knowledge will prepare you for positions in policymaking, administration, and project management in the public and private sector, as well as in research settings. Our alumni have positions as policymakers in international organisations, political parties, government ministries, market authorities, the European Parliament and the European Commission. Our alumni also work as consultants for profit and non-profit organisations and as researchers at think-tanks and universities. They are also employed by banks and other financial institutions and by the media.
Comparative Politics at Radboud University focuses on the following aspects:
- Political conflict in the age of globalisation
Opening up the newspaper or turning on the television it would be hard to miss recent developments such as Catalan and Scottish demands for independence, challenges to authoritarian regimes (i.e. the Arab Spring), the persistence of populist parties (in Europe and elsewhere), debates on immigration, and demands by young people for employment and a better future (e.g. the indignados movement). We are interested in uncovering the social, economic, and political causes of such developments, while also questioning whether events such as these are destabilising or whether they will be accommodated into existing institutional structures.
- Alternative forms of representation
Democracies face unprecedented challenges in areas like migration, environmental degradation, and demographic change. However, democracies must also cope with electorates that are increasingly dissatisfied with government performance and legitimacy. Some citizens withdraw from political participation, some turn to populist and anti-establishment parties, while others become even more politically active. In comparative politics we utilise a variety of theoretical perspectives to analyse these trends, while we also seek to propose possible solutions to these problems.
- Political challenges to political reform
We study the politics of reform across a wide range of social policies, targeting inequalities while seeking to learn from the best comparative work available on the welfare state, gender equality, migration and integration and sexual equality.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/cp
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.
- 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?
- 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.
- Comparative Politics, Administration, and Society (COMPASS)
Develop the skills needed for working in contemporary government. The courses focus on, for instance, the barriers to and facilitators of reform, Europeanisation and compliance with EU directives, how various countries deal with problems with the social welfare state, and the challenges government is facing in this century.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/politicalscience
- Our programme is consistently ranked number one by the most influential Dutch higher education rating organisations. The key to this success is our emphasis on small and interactive classes and the quality of our instructors.
- Radboud University boasts a strong international community.
- Staff members are actively involved in advising governments, societal and political organisations, incorporating practical experience and insights into their teaching.
- International Relations
Our graduate's careers reflect the high quality of our programme: Comparative Politics. Our alumni have positions as policymakers in international organisations, political parties, government ministries, market authorities, the European Parliament and the European Commission. Our alumni also work as consultants for profit and non-profit organisations and as researchers (in think tanks and universities). They are also employed by banks and other financial institutions and by the media.
- Comparative Politics
The analytical skills and knowledge you acquire in this Master's programme prepare you for positions in policy and programme development in national, international, public and private sector organisations, as well as for a wide range of academic research opportunities. Our students find jobs as consultants, as policy makers (in government and non-governmental), as researchers (academic, governmental agencies) as well as in the media (newspapers, television, new media).
- Political Theory
Our graduates find employment in a variety of settings: in consulting, international diplomacy, within EU institutions, as policy advisors, managers and leaders in local, regional and national governments, and in business, media and think-tanks. A number of graduates go on to pursue a PhD degree.
- Comparative Politics, Administration, and Society (COMPASS)
If you would like to become a professional in government, COMPASS can provide you with the tools needed for working in an-ever changing environment, and give you a competitive edge in the job market. Once you graduate, you will leave the programme with an extensive knowledge of complex, current issues in governance and international politics, as well as the skills to provide implementable solutions. You will also gain an advanced understanding of public administration and of policy making.
The programme prepares you for senior positions in organisations involving the public sector, for example:
- International organisations such as the UN, the OECD and EU
- Public employers, such as local, regional and central government departments
- Think-tanks and advisory bodies
- Consultancy firms
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/politicalscience
With the so-called ‘transnational turn', American Studies increasingly looks across and beyond national borders. In this program, you will explore the politics, culture and society of the United States, both within and outside the national borders. A central theme is the exchange of cultural and political ideas between North America and Europe and related issues in the fields of Americanisation, globalisation, cultural mobility and political and cultural imperialism.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/americanstudies/political
1. A completed Bachelor's degree in American Studies or related area
You are required to have a Dutch Bachelor's degree (or equivalent, from a research university) in American Studies or a Bachelor's degree in English Language & Culture with a specialisation in American Studies. If you have specialised in English you can apply if you had at least 40EC in courses related to American Studies. If you have a different academic background, you will need to have achieved 60 EC in courses related to American Studies.
2. A proficiency in English
In order to take part in the program, you need to have a sufficient level of English. Non-native speakers of English without a Dutch Bachelor's degree or VWO diploma need one of the following
- A TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), 100 (internet-based);
- An IELTS score of at least 7.0;
- A Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of B or higher.
There is a wide range of opportunities for graduates from the Master's program in North American Studies. Your broad interdisciplinary education and excellent command of English will help you find a job in an international setting. You could work in school or university education, in research, in journalism or other media, in publishing, museums, international finance, government, business, international affairs or as a diplomat.
With the so-called ‘transnational turn', American Studies increasingly looks across and beyond national borders. In this program, you will explore the politics, culture and society of the United States, both within and outside the national borders. A central theme is the exchange of cultural and political ideas between North America and Europe and related issues in the fields of Americanisation, globalisation, cultural mobility and political and cultural imperialism.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/americanstudies/political
How do global economic and political forces shape the lives and future of citizens, business, and civil society? Of political conflict and government? Your Master programme in Political Economy will teach you to answer these questions. The programme covers the ground from ‘economics for non-economists’ to understanding how the ‘rules of the game’ are shaped, to thinking about ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ of an open global economy and how that gives rise to ‘new’ conflicts and to a surge of anti-globalisation political movements. You will in global and comparative terms address the critical issues facing the developed and developing worlds, from Asia to Europe to the Americas - contemporary challenges such as migration, the struggle for development, or better financial market governance.
Our starting point is that the relationship between ‘politics’ and ‘the economy’ is a two-way street: political contestation shapes economic outcomes and their governance, while economic developments generate political conflicts. The causes and consequences of the on-going economic malaise have brought this highly political ‘who-gets-what’ nature of ‘the economy’ back out into the open. We also confront the social dimension of key political challenges by exploring issues such as social inequalities and corporate power so as better to understand how this plays out in different party political or non-democratic environments. These dynamics cut across a rich terrain of contemporary issues and taps into your interest in both the practical and the ‘big issue’ side of global affairs, crossing over with public policy expertise and business strategy, among which:
Our programme also teaches you that the dynamics of change differ starkly across countries: the hopes of a precarious development process poses challenges to authoritarianism in the developing world, while declining trust in business and political elites undermines ‘mainstream’ politics in established democracies.
This track is above all a response to vocal demand from students. It draws on a long political economy tradition at the UvA that is second-to-none in Europe. Those of you with a public policy, comparative politics or international relations background often seek to specialise in the economic policy domain yet outside the confines – often ideologically and methodologically constraining – of traditional approaches in economics and business departments. Many who have taken economics, business, or law seek the way our programme ‘brings politics back in’. Many from the humanities can bring their linguistic, cultural and historical knowledge to the programme’s exploration of political-economic interaction.
Political Economy taps your interest in issues of practical concern in the economy, business, and policy worlds where expertise leads to elite job opportunities. Above all we help you to think and analyse critically and independently where others merely learn to follow. There is strong demand in the society at large for the training we offer. The programme equips graduates to compete successfully with management, public policy, and economics-trained students for relevant jobs in ministries, think-tanks or consultancy, companies, municipalities, International Organisations, and the media. There is little that a good political economist cannot do. For more information, see the webpage on career prospects.
The programme is based at the University of Amsterdam, a major research university, and in one of the highest-ranking departments in continental Europe. The Graduate School of Social Sciences (GSSS) provides a vibrant and international academic community and promotes strong academic and transferable skills development. PE candidates develop a real ‘esprit de corps’ in their year in Amsterdam as we provide you with both academic and professional skills. Our research-oriented MSc in Political Economy taps into your interest in both the practical and the ‘big issue’ side of global affairs, crossing over with public policy expertise and business strategy.
Political Economy is a track of the accredited degree programme Political Science. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a legally accredited Master’s degree in Political Science and the title Master of Science (MSc).
Focusing on the interface of theories of the good society, globalisation, legitimacy and power.
Political theory is the soul of political science: it’s not about determining what the facts are but about determining what they mean and what should be done with them. It’s about the genuine and the deceptive arguments used to interfere in other people’s lives and business. We need political theory anywhere where power is used both covertly and openly, where policies are made and where choices are questioned and criticised.
As a political theorist, you will ask what would be sensible instead of what people call sensible. Just a handful of questions you will be asking and seeking the answers to: Is there a moral foundation for national sovereignty or self-determination? How far should tolerance go? What can and should be our ambitions for local community building? When does a political theory become a weapon or a form of power? Can authority ever be legitimate? Do we owe anything to future generations, animals, the global poor or minority groups?
This Master’s specialisation offers students an unprecedented opportunity to learn to assess political values, aspirations and dreams in terms of their desirability and reasonability. You will also discover how political theoretical work can be introduced fruitfully in other relevant contexts. This will enable you to help civil initiatives and governmental institutions, not to mention the public at large by imagining and designing policies and ambitions that are both viable and defensible.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/pt
- Our programme is consistently ranked the best Political Science/PT programme in the Netherlands
- The programme has a unique focus on justification and recognition, globalisation and their relationship with power
- Teaching takes place in a stimulating, collegial setting with small groups
- You are encouraged to critically reflect on the staff’s ongoing research in the Nijmegen Political Philosophical Workshop
- We are the conscience of real-world politics and policies and prepare you to interpret and contribute to real-world politics
Graduates of political theory are academics, not politicians. We believe that to be a good policy advisor, manager or administrator, you need to have good research skills. Research is what is going to make your advice be both valid and practical: both sides of the coin of policies are equally important to the political theorists.
Our graduates find employment in a variety of settings, including in consulting, national and international diplomacy and EU institutions. They can work as policy advisors, managers and leaders in local, regional and national government, as well as in business, media, NGOs, think-tanks and civic organisations. Quite a few go on to pursue a PhD degree.
Don’t rules, laws, commands and regulations always imply a violation of human autonomy? Are they not insults to humanity? Is there a way to escape from power?
Political theory is the key to good and valid politics. It is practice-oriented and should not be confused with political philosophy. Political theory is more than a reflection on eternal truths and the essence of concepts; it makes the difference between knowing and understanding. Compared to classical political philosophy it is more concrete, more interdisciplinary in nature, and sensitive both to the workings of power and the limits of feasibility.
Political Theory at Radboud University focuses on four aspects:
1. Critical understanding of theories of the good society
Of course, just like most Political Theory programmes we take a critical look at the theories of the good society. Who is – but also who should be – included in the theories: families or individuals, distinct people or everyone, animals and environment or humans only, future or only present generations?
2. Globalisation
We focus on globalisation in the broadest sense: the globalisation of people, money, technology and values so that we address global, ecological, intergenerational justice, multiculturalism and agonism. We definitely do not limit ourselves to the dominant redistributive justice discourse.
3. Justification and legitimisation
We start off by justifying and discrediting particular policies by the standards of theories of the good society. But we go further. What values, rules, tests and mechanisms are there to help design and assess political choices? Which are appropriate and when? Are they biased? We will discuss deliberative democracy, Habermas’s domination-free discourse, Rawls’s reflective equilibrium, the agora of agonists like Mouffe and, of course, foundationalism.
4. Power
Power is the mother of all political concepts; it is a concept that is too easily taken for granted or ignored by political scientists, political philosophers and politicians. We recognise that power, ultimately the threat of violence, will always be part of politics and that there will always be a gap between what you think you can justify and what others will embrace. At Radboud University we train students to try and chart where power hides in justification practices, both in political theory and political practise.
The combination of these aspects is what makes the Political Theory Master’s specialisation at Radboud University unique.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/pt
Rather than withering away under the impact of globalisation, borders have become privileged sites today for investigating the contemporary transformation of European governance, sovereignty, territory and identit(ies). The masters specialisation Europe: Borders, Identities and Governance will focus on b/ordering processes occurring within Europe’s internal cross-border regions (or Euregions), taking into account the context of shifts in state sovereignty, territoriality, and cultural identity in Europe’s borderlands. Courses within this program will also train attention on the external bordering dimension of the European Union (ie, Eastward Enlargement, European Neighbourhood Programme), while also addressing the EU’s search for a broader role in the world. Key themes raised in this master specialisation are e.g.: cross-border governance, transnational and multi-level governance, European citizenship and ‘cosmopolitical’ identit(ies), critical border geopolitics, biopolitical b/orderings and border securitisation, European post-colonial b/ordering and ‘othering’, and the search for an ‘ethical’ dimension to European borders.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ebig
The Master's specialisation Europe: Borders, Identities and Governance provides graduates entry into rapidly growing sectors of the job market, be it government, business or academia. Students will be able to apply the scientific insights and practical skills acquired to topics as varied as Europeanisation, internationalisation, borders, identities, cross-border governance and international cooperation and politics.
With expertise gained through this master a graduate may work for a local, provincial, or national (e.g. Foreign Affairs section) government, becoming responsible for, sharing expertise in and delivering advice on cross-border cooperation, international mobility, the attraction of international firms and investments, or the acquisition of European Union funds.
Another major category of employment may be found in the field of consultancy.As a consultant or advisor, a graduate may help promote the internationalisation of a city or region, or assist regional and city governments in obtaining and managing EU- funded projects.
The master is also very well suited as preparation for an international career. A graduate may find employment with the European parliament, European Commission or related institutions, or work as a programme officer with a European organisation or as an International/European affairs expert in a firm. Opportunities also abound within the rapidly growing job market for academic researchers and/or lecturers with one of the many Dutch or international research institutes and schools focusing on European issues.
The Master's "Europe: Borders, Identities and Governance" is an engaged and inspiring master that offers state-of-the-art knowledge and skills in the field of European studies. As the European Union is a construction of politically engaged human beings, we will focus on this construction process first and foremost. We will try to find answers to questions like: why do we wish to have a European Union and in what form then, where are the borders of the European Union, how do the policies of the European
Union affect our daily lives, our national identities and national borders and how do the policies of the European Union affect the people outside the European Union, that is the neighbour countries as well as countries further away. You will be taught by distinguished and internationally recognised professors who
study these issues and publish their findings in international academic journals and contribute to the public debate. Our goal is to help you gain up-to-date insights and exchange views on this important knowledge field in a spirit of curiosity, openness and thoughtfulness. You will study theories, methods and instruments, but above all you will develop a knowledge-seeking and critical attitude.
The Master's ‘Europe: Borders, Identities and Governance’ includes a variety of cases, individual and group assignments, international excursions, lectures and seminars. This unique programme gives you the opportunity to share experiences with other students and to link theory Europe: Borders, Identities and Governance with practice. You can select the elective courses that you find interesting and important and you can choose your own topic for your master thesis. Furthermore, we offer to find an exciting and
challenging national or international internship in the field of your own interest.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ebig
Analysing conflict and cooperation in a globalising world.
Tackling global issues in the 21st Century requires a deeper understanding of the essential players that shape global politics: governments, intergovernmental organisations, media, multinationals, and NGOs.
Our International Relations specialisation will provide you with an insight into these players and into fundamental questions of contemporary international relations: is the international community equipped to address violent conflict and (cyber) terrorism? Why do states intervene in some cases of human rights violations, but not in other? Will the competition for natural resources intensify domestic and international conflict? What are the political consequences of regional integration (in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia) and of the emergence of powers such as Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICs)? What are the political ramifications of global trade and finance?
In our Master’s specialisation in International Relations you will learn to master different perspectives in order to understand the complexity of global issues and the dilemmas behind the political choices made by policy-makers. Our emphasis on both analytical skills and empirical knowledge will provide you with the tools to critically analyse contemporary global issues, thus preparing you for a career in international affairs and diplomacy.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ir
- Our programme is consistently ranked number one by leading Dutch ratings organisations in the field of higher education. The key to this success is the high quality and strong commitment of our instructors.
- We focus on current global and regional issues, helping you comprehend both the complexity and diversity of today’s global political arenas.
- Our programme also trains you to understand vital decision-making processes. We study how political choices are legitimised, discussing the power of persuasion, the role of norms and the impact of identity.
- We are also motivated by the challenges raised by globalisation and try to explain why some distributional effects of globalisation lead to political conflict while others do not. We also look at how national political systems deal with such conflicts.
- Our international staff has a wide range of expertise on international organisations, crisis management, gender, international political economy, foreign policy analysis, and ethics. The themes and issues discussed are cutting edge.
- We offer small, interactive classes. Students are taken seriously as young academics and reflective practitioners.
- Our programme is analytical as well as practice oriented. We have close links with public and private organisations, which students could use to find an internship position for themselves.
- Our Political Science Department thrives on a vibrant community of Dutch and international students, and welcomes active student involvement.
At Radboud University you’re taught to look beyond the daily news and to disentangle deeper global structures of power that underlie the causes and outcomes of global conflicts. You’ll be trained to not just develop possible options for a particular stakeholder, but to take it one step further and adopt different perspectives for different stakeholders, assessing whether they are willing and capable of pursuing those solutions.
Our alumni have positions as policy-makers in international organisations, political parties, government ministries, market authorities, the European Parliament, and the European Commission. Our alumni also work as consultants for profit and non-profit organisations and as researchers at think-tanks and universities. They are employed by banks and other financial institutions and by the media. This is because our graduates have the skills that employers want, namely sound research and analytical skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and experience in working both in teams and independently.
We invite you to become part of our vibrant academic community in which we encourage independent critical thinking. Our committed staff takes the views and contributions of our students seriously. You will learn to:
- Distinguish, historically situate and apply a wide range of different theories and stakeholders’ perspectives.
- Develop sound judgments of existing research and become a confident researcher and responsible professional.
- Produce different types of written products with direct relevance to your future career and to develop the oral skills to handle these products in work-related settings.
We believe that by introducing students to the fascinating field of international relations new generations can meet the challenges of global politics in the 21st century. International Relations at Radboud University focuses on the following themes:
1. Security crises
2. nternational conflict and cooperation
3. Comparative regionalism
4. Global trade and finance
5. Global justice, human rights and development
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ir
In the Master's programme in Public Administration at Radboud University you study how organisations in and around public administration operate and how they are organised. The Master’s in Public Administration continues on from the Bachelor's in Public Administration, but can also be followed as an independent Master’s after, for example, a Bachelor's programme in History. Graduates of the Master’s in Public Administration can become public manager: someone who can use their extensive knowledge on the workings and structure of the government to put forward solutions for internal organisational problems and social governmental policy issues.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/publicadministration
The Master’s programme in Public Administration offers four specialisations, one in English and three in Dutch. In all specialisations there is plenty of attention for management, administrative ethics and policy issues, both theoretical and practical.
- Comparative Politics, Administration and Society
- Beleid en advies
- Besturen van veiligheid
- Management en organisatie van de publieke sector
1. A Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Political Science or a related discipline from a recognised university.
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 basic research skills.
3. 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 one of the following conditions:
- Has successfully completed a three-year Bachelor's programme at a Dutch university.
- Is a citizen of Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, or the United States of America.
- Has successfully completed a Bachelor's programme that was taught completely in the English language in one of the following countries: EU/EEA-countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States of America.
- Has successfully completed a Master's programme from a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO).
All other students need one of the following certificates (which may not be older than two years).
- A TOEFL score of ≥575 (paper based) or ≥232 (computer based) or ≥90 (internet based), with subscores not lower than 18
- A IELTS score of ≥6.5, with subscores not lower than 6.0
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/publicadministration
The Master’s programme in Political Theory will teach you political theory and applied philosophy in a theoretical, practical and analytical way. You are challenged to critically analyse and reflect on current political contexts and social and political thought.
The Political Theory track provides students with the conceptual tool-kits to analyse the complex normative and methodological issues of contemporary political life. Students are encouraged to take an active role in critical reflection on political practices, institutional arrangements, and social science methods by building on a solid foundation in social and political thought. The track combines analytical rigor with policy relevance.
The Political Theory track provides a unique opportunity to study analytically rigorous political theory and applied philosophy in a political science programme; we apply political theory as a guide to public policy and pressing social problems.
We have an international student body and an international faculty.
The Department of Political Science is consistently ranked among the World’s top-50, and is the largest in the Netherlands. This provides students with a broad foundation in political theory and opportunities for electives and thesis research in a wide variety of related areas of study, from international relations to political economy, from electoral politics to public administration.
The track is designed for independent students that wish to gain a rigorous foundation in political theory and moral philosophy in order to apply these to pressing social problems. It is aimed at students that aim to develop normative and methodological tools that they can apply to complex domestic and international challenges. The programme is writing intensive; students are expected to develop a capacity to work independently and in group settings.
This programme prepares students for careers in government, global business, think-tanks, non-profits, and journalism with a focus on public policy, analysis, and advocacy at the local, national, and international level. The programme also provides a strong foundation for a career in academia. For more information, see the webpage on career prospects.
Political Theory is a track of the accredited degree programme Political Science. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a legally accredited Master’s degree in Political Science and the title Master of Science (MSc).
This two-year Master’s programme is aimed at students who want to contribute to the design of the solutions needed to achieve an environmentally and socially accountable society. In this programme, you will learn how to analyse the processes associated with change and will consider the short and long term management of these processes on local and global levels.
This programme is suitable for candidates who want to study and solve societal sustainability issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. The programme is of particular interest to students who are willing to broaden their perspectives through collaboration and interaction with students who bring to the programme knowledge of other natural and social science disciplines.
Following admission to this Master's programme you can choose one of four specialisation tracks based on your interests in the field. As well as working in your chosen track, you will work in research teams with fellow students from the other tracks.
Our programme is closely affiliated with the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development,which is part of Utrecht University. The institute conducts research on a wide range of issues related to sustainable development. The cause and effect chains linking economic activities, ecological values and innovation serves as the point of departure for much of the research. Our research and teaching staff are active members of international networks and are at the forefront of their field.
Sustainable Development is the study of scientific solutions and societal interventions for an environmentally accountable society. This two-year Master’s programme educates the scientists of the future. As a graduate of this programme, you will be able to contribute to innovative environmental solutions and help build a sustainable society.
The world is rapidly changing; so is International Development Studies. After 15 years, the MDG-era (Millennium Development Goals) came to an end in 2015. A larger set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were introduced to guide long-term development policies and end global poverty. Development is no longer considered as a problem ‘out there’ in the global south. Our contemporary world faces new global concerns, such as the 'migration crisis', food security, climate change, and energy crises.
We also witness massive changes in the relative power structure in our world system. Africa, Asia and Latin America are experiencing rapid transformations, turning traditional North-South relations upside down. Giants like India and China are strengthening their role in international development cooperation. These ‘new’ donors emphasise that ‘South-South cooperation’ is different from the Western notion of donors helping clients. While development has been traditionally defined by the donor community in the North/West, governments in Africa, Asia and Latin America have come up with their own versions of ‘development’.
Over the past decade, the number of actors active in the development domain has multiplied. In addition to the traditional donors, new ‘players’ have entered the scene, including foundations and diaspora-organisations. Furthermore individual migrants and socially-engaged entrepreneurs are acknowledging their role in societal changes; many are taking responsibility for the social and environmental impacts of production activities and/or consumption.
The multidisciplinary Master's programme in International Development Studies addresses current development challenges and engages with these highly important and urgent issues. In particular, the programme focuses on topics surrounding migration/mobilities, climate change, land governance, urbanisation and corporate social responsibility. You will study in an international environment, with peers and staff from diverse disciplinary and cultural backgrounds. A research-oriented internship abroad is a core component of the programme. International Development Studies takes prides in its large, expanding, and active alumni and friends network.
The central objective of the Master's in International Development Studies programme is to equip you with conceptual and empirical knowledge as well as research skills necessary to understand and analyse contemporary issues pertaining to international development in broad geographical contexts (local, regional, and international levels).
Upon completion of the programme you will have acquired theoretical, methodological and practical competency. These skills will be useful for your career in further academic research, development policy and practice sector, as well as other work fields. You will gain an understanding of world affairs and international experiences as well as analytical, communication and project implementation skills.
