Preliminary Info
Students starting in February: read the information on this page carefully before continuing
Registration for courses
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION IN STUDIELINK BEFORE JANUARY 13 TO ENABLE TIMELY ENROLLMENT IN YOUR COURSES
Registration for elective seminars
In the Spring semester Political Science students choose three elective seminars. Registration for February-starters is possible from Wednesday 13 January 2016, 10.00 a.m. until 20 January 2016, 10.00 a.m. Please send an e-mail with your full name, student number and 5 preferences for your seminar courses to the Institute Secretariat at instituutsbureaupolwet@fsw.leidenuniv.nl. You will receive an auto-reply with a confirmation that we have received your e-mail. You will be informed about the seminars for which you have been registered before 1 February 2016. Each seminar has a maximum number of participants; registration is on a first come first served basis. (If fewer than 5 students register for a seminar, we cannot guarantee that it will take place.)
Registration for mandatory courses
There are no mandatory courses in de Spring Semester.
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 (online application system on the above mentioned website). 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 February 2016
Welcome Meeting
We would like to invite you to a welcome meeting on Tuesday, February 2, from 1.30-3.00 p.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 and you get the opportunity to meet some of the staff members over coffee, tea and cake.
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.
Start September 2015
Registration for elective seminar
Registration in uSis for the elective seminar in uSis is possible from Tuesday 8 December 10.00 a.m. until Tuesday 15 December 10.00 a.m.
Please note that elective seminars have a maximum capacity and placement is subject to availability. Registration is on a first come first served basis.
Registration for Thesis seminar
On Tuesday 1 December between 14.00-15.00 p.m. in SB45 the instructors will present their thesis seminar topics and explain what is expected of the students. Students can ask questions about the Political Science thesis seminars.
Students can register for a Political Science Thesis seminar from Wednesday 9 December 10.00 a.m. until Wednesday 16 December 10.00 a.m. Registration is on a first come first served basis and subject to availability. If more than 15 students prefer to be in a Thesis seminar students will be placed on a waiting list.
Start February 2015
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 mandatory courses
For ‘The Classics’ and ‘Advanced Skills’ students need to register for workgroups in Usis. For The Classics this will take place after the first collective class meeting in which the procedure will be explained to you. For Advanced Skills this Usis registration takes place in October.
Registration for thesis seminar
Students do not need to register themselves in advance for one of the two thesis seminars that are offered. Registration will take place during the first collective class meeting in which the procedure will be explained to you.
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 16.000 and 20.000 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.
