The Bachelor’s Program

The bachelor’s program in Political Science comprises 6 semesters of study and requires 180 ECTS credits for completion – one ECTS credit equals 25 hours of academic work. The degree program consists of 60 ECTS credits of mandatory courses, 72 credits of elective modules, 12 ECTS credits of internship work, 12 ECTS credits are apportioned to the bachelor’s seminar and the bachelor’s thesis and 24 ECTS credits to free electives. The program commences with a legally mandated introduction and orientation phase (“STEOP”) the successful completion of which determines whether students may proceed in the program. It is comprised of two lectures, Introduction to Political Science and Politics viewed from a Scientific Perspective (4 ECTS credits, respectively).

The BA program is divided into six core areas: Political Theory (political ideas), Comparative Politics, Austrian Politics in Comparative Perspective, International Relations, Politics of the European Union, and – new since 2024 – Politics and Gender, Diversity and Equality. In each core area, students must take a foundational introductory lecture. Then the students must select four of the six core areas to  attend a more in-depth proseminar and two thematically focused seminars, where they write research papers. To complete the BA program, students will need to take coursework in working techniques in Political Science as well as quantitative and qualitative research methods (to be taken prior to attending seminars), free electives, and an internship. Training in empirical research methods is a particular priority in the BA program. As such, methods’ training begins in the summer semester with a lecture on research design to be accompanied by a pro-seminar on qualitative research methods and continues in the winter semester with a lecture on quantitative methods and a corresponding pro-seminar.

Students are also encouraged to complement their BA studies with coursework in any of the following areas for which graduates may receive additional certification: European Union Studies, Gender Studies, Geography and Regional Planning, Communication, Law, Regional Studies, Sociology, Foreign Languages, Sustainability Studies, Economics, and Contemporary History.

 

The Master’s Program

The master’s program in Political Science comprises 120 ECTS credits (whereby one credit corresponds to 25 hours of academic work) and requires 4 semesters of study. Admission is contingent upon completion of bachelor’s studies in Political Science or an equivalent academic program by an Austrian or international post-secondary institution. 

The MA program is divided into three thematic areas of which students will need to select two in order to develop their concentration of study. These three thematic areas are Comparative Politics, Multilevel Politics – Austria and Europe, and International Relations. The core of the academic program is composed of specialized issue-specific seminars and a rigorous set of compulsory methods courses (including research design courses and computer-assisted statistics). Elective courses offerings complement and further deepen the training graduates receive.

 

Joint Master in Political Science – Integration and Governance (PoSIG)

The University of Salzburg offers together with its partner universities the new joint Master in Political Science – Integration and Governance (PoSIG). This Master programme gives you the unique opportunity to study in Austria, Slovenia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kosovo. This 2 year course targets all international students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and who have a certain level of methodology education.

 

The Doctoral (PhD) Program

The PhD program in Political Science at the University of Salzburg is highly selective and offers a challenging but rewarding experience that seeks to meet the highest international standards in the profession. The program is intended for individuals seeking a professional career in Political Science as a researcher and scholar. Prospective students are expected to have a master’s degree or equivalent diploma in Political Science or a related subject. Applicants whose previous degree is not in Political Science are still encouraged to apply but may be asked to undertake additional coursework in Political Science the extent of which will be determined upon an evaluation of a candidate’s full academic record and in consultation with the student’s supervisor. Undertaking PhD studies not only requires securing the support of a faculty supervisor but also admission to the doctoral program in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. For details about the admissions criteria and the program please refer to the link to the PhD Program in the left navigation or below.

 

Master Program in European Union Studies

The Department of Political Science is closely connected to the Salzburg Center of European Union Studies (SCEUS) in which of the department’s faculty teach in the Master program in European Union Studies launched in 2005. For details about this program and the center’s PhD fellowship program, please refer to the SCEUS pages.

*****
Dr. Andreas Dür, Professor
Department Chair, Chair of International Politics
Dr. Franz Fallend
Chair of Political Science Curriculum Committee

 

Links

Erasmus Incoming
Bachelor’s Curriculum (as of 2016) (in German)
Bachelor’s Curriculum (as of 2024) (in German)
Master’s Curriculum (as of 2016)
Master’s Curriculum (as of 2024)
Master Program 2016 (Folder)
PoSIG Folder
PhD Program
SCEUS Master Program