Master's Programme Political Science:
European and International Studies
Faculty | Faculty of Social and Political Sciences |
Duration / ECTS-Credits | 4 semesters / 120 ECTS-Credits |
Academic Degree |
Master of Arts (MA) |
Qualification Level |
Master (Second Cycle) ISCED-11: Level 7, EQF/NQF: Level 7 |
ISCED-F | 0312 Political Sciences and Civics |
Mode of Study |
Full-Time |
Study Code |
UC 066 824 |
Curriculum | Information on the Curriculum (2014W) * |
Language of Instruction | German |
Admission Requirements |
Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent and Language Certificates |
Application |
* Information on th Curriculum (2014W)
The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.
In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies
available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
Section: Current Curriculum version.
University of Innsbruck Bulletins » (Click to open all University of Innsbruck Bulletins)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1st 2019)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 2019, Issue 67, No. 592 (modification of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 6th 2014)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 6 2014, Issue 2, No. 5 (amendment of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin August 6 2014, Issue 43, No. 591 (amendment of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 27 2014, Issue 34, No. 538
Requirements
Relevant bachelor's degrees at the University of Innsbruck:
Proof of general university entrance qualification:
The general university entrance qualification for admission to a master's programme must be proven by the completion of a subject-related bachelor's programme, another subject-related programme of at least the same higher education level at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution, or a program defined in the curriculum of the master's programme. To compensate for significant differences in subject matter, supplementary examinations (maximum 30 ECTS credits) may be prescribed, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the master's programme.
The rectorate may determine which of these supplementary examinations are prerequisites for taking examinations provided for in the curriculum of the master's programme.
In the course of the proof of the general university entrance qualification, the completion of the following core areas within the framework of the completed bachelor's degree programme shall be examined in any case:
- 10 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Applied Methods of Social Sciences
- 5 ECTS-Credits Core Area: European Integration
- 5 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Comparative Politics
- 5 ECTS-Credits Core Area: International Politics
- 5 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Political Theories
- 5 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Political Communication and Electoral Analysis
Recommended Course Sequence
The exemplary course sequence given below is recommended for full-time students beginning their study programme in the winter semester. The table shows one possible course sequence for the bachelor's programme and is not compulsory. Delays resulting from repeated examinations are not taken into account.
The standard duration of the study programme is 4 semesters or 120 ECTS-Credits, whereby according to the Universities Act of 2002, a workload of 1,500 (real) hours per academic year must be fulfilled, corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits (one ECTS-Credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 hours).
3.5 ECTS-Credits: VO Political Science Research Methods
4.0 ECTS-Credits: SE Political Science Research Methods
3.5 ECTS-Credits: VO Federalism and Federal Politics
4.0 ECTS-Credits: SE Federalism and Federal Politics
3.5 ECTS-Credits: VO European Integration I: Theories and Politics within Global Dynamics
4.0 ECTS-Credits: SE European Integration I: Theories and Politics within Global Dynamics
3.5 ECTS-Credits: VO Actors and Agency in International Relations
4.0 ECTS-Credits: SE Actors and Agency in International Relations
3.5 ECTS-Credits: VO Politics and Gender
4.0 ECTS-Credits: SE Politics and Gender
3.5 ECTS-Credits: VO Governance and Political Leadership
4.0 ECTS-Credits: SE Governance and Political Leadership
3.5 ECTS-Credits: VO European Integration II: Multi-Level Governance and European Democratic Society
4.0 ECTS-Credits: SE European Integration II: Multi-Level Governance and European Democratic Society
3.5 ECTS-Credits: VO Orders and Change in International Relations
4.0 ECTS-Credits: SE Orders and Change in International Relations
3.5 ECTS-Credits: VO Electoral Analysis
4.0 ECTS-Credits: SE Electoral Analysis
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Political Science in Practice I or Interdisciplinary Skills and Individual Focus Modules
15.0 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis
3.5 ECTS-Credits: VO Political Communication
4.0 ECTS-Credits: SE Political Communication
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Political Science in Practice II or Interdisciplinary Skills and Individual Focus Modules
15.0 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis and Master's Thesis Defense
Qualification Profile and Skills
The core of the Master’s Programme Political Science: European and International Studies are social science studies of political orders, institutions, actors and processes on a national, regional, European and global level. The study programme conveys extracurricular social skills such as knowledge transfer and presentation skills, personal development, team skills, development of rhetorical and written skills as well as individual leadership skills.
The skills acquired in the study programme enables graduates to elaborate scientific issues independently, to evaluate scientific knowledge and to apply it in terms of new, in particular research-related contexts.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Apart from subject-specific skills, graduates possess skills in other field. They are able to convey the knowledge acquired in the master’s programme clearly and explicitly to experts and the lay public. In addition to the field of European and international politics, they are able to reflect the ethical and social consequences and requirements of the use of their knowledge well-founded. They can successfully manage complex unpredictable working and learning contexts.
Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities
The Master’s programme prepares for activities in scientific institutions and/or positions requiring leadership, planning, analysis and consultation in public administration and in international non-governmental and governmental organizations (e.g. the European Union, the United Nations etc.) and in transnational party or trade union federations. Have a look at some of our former students and their careers.
Postgraduate and further Studies at the University of Innsbruck
Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading
Examination regulations
The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.
Description of the applied grading system (including the grade distribution table) »
The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.
Austrian grading scheme |
Definition |
%-age |
||
1 | EXCELLENT: Outstanding performance |
43.6 | ![]() |
= 100% |
2 |
GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors |
31.5 | ||
3 | SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors |
16.6 | ||
4 | SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum criteria |
8.3 |
||
5 | INSUFFICIENT: Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work |
December 2021
Overall classification of the qualification
Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).
Information on the study programme (in German only)
- Sturcture of the Study Programme
- Administrative Processes for Students
- Guidelines for electronic submission and publication of academic theses and Instruction
Recognitions (in German only)
- Recognition of exams AND Supplementary Sheet
PLEASE NOTE: Fill in the form "Recognition of exams" AND the "Supplementary Sheet"!
Forms (in German only)
- Practical Agreement
- Examination Records
- Application for the Master's Thesis
- Assessment of the compulsory module: Preparation of the Master’s Thesis
- Cover Sheet for the Master's Thesis
- Declaration of Academic Honesty (to be attached to the Master's Thesis)
- Submission of the Master's Thesis
- To block the Master's Thesis
- Application for Admission to the third and fourth repetition of a course examination
Contact and Information
Examination Office
Standort Universitätsstraße 15
Associate Dean of Studies
Dr. David Willumsen
Dean of Studies
Assoz. Prof. Mag. Dr. Petra Missomelius, MA