Preliminary Info
Registration for courses
IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO REGISTER FOR YOUR COURSES IT IS IMPORTANT TO COMPLETE YOUR STUDY REGISTRATION IN STUDIELINK BEFORE AUGUST 1 !!
In the 1st semester Political Science students follow two compulsory courses (‘Conflict and Cooperation: Classics’ and ‘Advanced Academic and Professional Skills’) and choose two elective seminars.
Registration for both compulsory courses and their workgroups as well as for the two elective seminars is possible from Tuesday 16 August 10.00 a.m. until Tuesday 23 August 10.00 a.m. Registration takes place through usis. Each workgroup and elective seminar has a maximum number of participants; registration is on a first come first served basis. (If fewer than 8 students register for a seminar, we cannot guarantee that it will take place.)
Please note that official course registration in uSis does not lead to automatic Blackboard enrollment. You must enroll yourself on Blackboard for your courses. For more information about Blackboard please see the link below.
Optional only to September starters: Transferring to the Research Master
It is possible to apply for transfer to the Research Master after the first semester of the MSc Political Science. Students who want to switch need to fulfill the admissions requirements of the research master: http://www.mastersinleiden.nl/programmes/political-science-research/en/entry-requirements. Application deadline for students who want to switch to the research master once they have started in the Master Political Science is 1 December 2016. We strongly advise students who consider transferring from the Master Political Science to the Research Master to take the two elective seminars that are recommended for the Research Master in their first semester. Please discuss any questions or concerns you may have with the study advisor or programme director.
Start September 2016
Welcome meeting master PS en IO:
We would like to invite you to a welcome meeting on Monday, September 5, from 9.30-10.00 a.m. in room number 1A01 (on the 1st floor of the Pieter de la Court building, Wassenaarseweg 52, Leiden). During this meeting the programme director will inform you about the Institute and the programme.
After your first class(es) we invite you to join us for some drinks in the Common Room on the 5th floor of the Pieter de la Court building from 3.00 till 4.00 p.m.
For information about registration please consult the Preliminary Info
Start February 2016
The program information in the e-prospectus is subject to change. We advise students to check the e-prospectus pages regularly throughout the academic year.
Registration for compulsory courses
Registration for ‘Conflict and Cooperation: Classics’ and Advanced Academic and Professional Skills’ and their workgroups is possible from Tuesday 16 August 10.00 a.m. until Tuesday 23 August 10.00 a.m. Registration takes place through uSis. Each workgroup has a maximum number of participants; registration is on a first come first served basis.
Registration for thesis seminar
Registration for the thesis seminar will take place after the first collective meeting of the Fall thesis seminars in which you will be informed about the procedure.
Start February 2017
Welcome Meeting
We would like to invite you to a welcome meeting on Tuesday, January 31, from 10.30-11.00 a.m. in room number 5A42 (on the 5th floor of the Pieter de la Court building, Wassenaarseweg 52). During this meeting you will be informed about the programme by the Director of Studies. From 3.00-4.00 p.m. (after the course Conflict and Cooperation: Classics) you get the opportunity to meet some of the staff members over coffee, tea and cake in the Common Room on the 5th floor of the Pieter de la Court building.
Registration for courses
In their first semester Political Science students follow two compulsory courses (Conflict and Cooperation: Classics and Advanced Academic and Professional Skills). Registration for these courses and their workgroups is possible through Usis from Tuesday 10 January 2017, 10.00 a.m. until 17 January 2017, 10.00 a.m.
In addition to the compulsory courses, Political Science students choose one elective seminar in their first block and follow the compulsory seminar Elections and Political Careers in their second block. You will be registered by the Institute’s Secretariat for Elections and Political Careers.
Please submit your preference for the seminar in your first block between Tuesday 10 January 2017, 10.00 a.m. until 17 January 2017, 10.00 a.m. via e-mail to instituutsbureaupolwet@fsw.leidenuniv.nl. Also mention your full name and student number in the e-mail.
Please note that each workgroup and elective seminar has a maximum number of participants and placement in the seminar of your choice is not guaranteed. Assignment to a seminar is on a first come first served basis. The time at which your e-mail is received by the secretariat is crucial. If fewer than 8 participants register for a seminar, we cannot guarantee that it will take place. You will be informed about the seminars for which you have been registered before 1 February 2017.
In their second semester (September 2017-January 2018) Political Science students follow a Political Science thesis seminar (20 EC) plus an elective seminar (10 EC).
Please note that official course registration in uSis does not lead to automatic Blackboard enrollment. You must enroll yourself on Blackboard for your courses.
Competency Requirements
Competency Requirements (Not for Leiden Political Science bachelors)
The Master Political Science Admissions Committee may have requested that the applicant demonstrates competency in Research Design & Measurement in the Social Sciences. You can find this on your Statement of Admission.
This competency should be demonstrated by completing the conversion course Research Design & Measurement in the Social Sciences. This conversion course will be offered by the Institute of Political Science and may be followed along with the other courses from the regular Master of Science programme. The full conversion course comprises 5 ECTS credits. This conversion course is not part of the regular curriculum of the Master of Science programme.
Transitional Regulation
Regulations for students from earlier academic years
Students who have not successfully completed the course ‘Political Science: Approaches and Concepts’ (5 ects) must successfully complete the course ‘Conflict and Cooperation: the Classics’ (5 ects).
Students who have not successfully completed the course ‘Colloquium’ (5 ects) of their specific specialisation must successfully complete the course ‘Advanced Academic and Professional Skills’ (5 ects).
More info
Core Modules
The Master Political Science offers two core modules:
Conflict and Cooperation: Classics will address contemporary political conflict, the philosophical approaches to political conflict and the nature and effectiveness of political institutions in resolving political conflict. Major classic works in political science will be studied. Advanced Academic and Professional Skills aims at advancing the skills for various professions at an academic level, such as policy advisor, civil servant, or political assistant, whether in NGOs, interest groups, political parties or government and international agencies. The seminar will focus on oral skills and written skills, which will be applied during the classes.
Specialization through Choice: Build your own Profile
The master program in Conflict and Cooperation allows students to specialize through their own choices of seminars (subject to availability). Students will gain advanced knowledge on a variety of empirical or normative approaches in political science. Seminar topics range from human rights, conflict management, distributive justice to political conflict and the media to elections and coalitions in a national context. Students may opt to complete the program with a thesis or an internship which includes a substantive research report.
Thesis
Those opting for a thesis will follow a Political Science Thesis Seminar during the second semester. In the Political Science Thesis Seminar students apply theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills to a theme related to conflict and cooperation. Preparations for the thesis start during the month of January (designated for self-study). The thesis may take the form of a theoretical analysis, literature study, quantitative or qualitative empirical research, or a case study. Students write a thesis on the findings of individual research (length between 8.000 and 10.000 words).
Examiners
The teachers that are mentioned in each course are appointed by the Board of Examiners to conduct examinations.
The Department expects the highest scholarly effort and achievement from students. Students’ academic work will be evaluated per assignment and per course. This includes both oral and written assignments. Timely completion of degree requirements is expected.
More information
More information on grading, graduation and other information can be found on the website of Political Science.
More information on the entry requirements of the programme can be found on Masters in Leiden.
More information about a variety of subjects can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Please contact the Student Services Center Faculty of Social Science for administrative affairs such as a certified transcript or a statement of registration.
