Political Science: Research Master’s programme in Political Science and Public Administration

General Information

Aims and Objectives

The Leiden Research Master’s Programme in Political Science and Public Administration aims at providing students with a thorough grounding in the literature on political institutions and a rigorous training in the methodological skills that are necessary to conduct research in this field. Students acquire this knowledge and these skills not only by being taught, but also by gaining hands-on experience with the way in which a broad research interest is transformed into a theoretically informed puzzle with concrete hypotheses, how a research method is chosen that is appropriate for the hypotheses that are to be tested, what problems can be encountered in data collection and analysis, how the data can be interpreted to test the hypotheses, and how the results can be presented effectively.

The Research Master programme totals 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) points. Students are expected to earn approximately 30 ECTS points per semester and 15 ECTS per block. All courses take 5 ECTS, the thesis 15 ECTS. One credit point equals 28 hours of study, including lectures, reading, writing papers, and preparing for tests and 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.

First Year (Cohort 2011-2013)

This information is subject to change. Please check the websites of PS and PA regularly before the start of the new academic year.

Second Year (Cohort 2010-2012)

This information is subject to change. Please check the Political Science website regularly before the start of the new academic year.