Master's specialisation | Joint programme optionalPolitical Theory
Political Theory is not just about interpreting or explaining the world, but also about changing it. From climate change to homelessness, great societal challenges require that we make decent and legitimate political choices. But how can we determine that? This specialisation provides you with the tools to evaluate whether and how the exercise of power by political actors and institutions can be justified.
Something for you?
- A down to earth, problem-oriented, and interdisciplinary specialisation at the intersection of political theory, political philosophy, and empirical political science.
- Reflect upon contemporary political challenges such as misinformation and polarisation, historic injustice and reparations, gentrification and segregation, environmental justice, civil disobedience, and democratic innovation.
- Develop strong analytical and evaluative research skills that allow you to understand, explain, and assess political decisions in any setting– and to design and realize necessary change.
- This programme has an above-average score compared to the national average on three of the five core subjects (Source:).
Admission requirements
Do you want to know if you can be admitted? Read more about the admission requirements of this programme.
Admission and applicationFactsheet
- Main language
- English
- Study duration
- 1 year (60 EC)
- Start
- September
- Contact hours
- 5-10
- Programme format
- Full time
- Degree
- Master of Science, specialisation of Political Science
- Faculty
- Nijmegen School of Management
- CROHO code
- 60203
- Accreditation
- NVAO
What will you learn
This specialisation will help you comprehend and explain the complexity and diversity of today's democratic challenges, from the level of the individual and the city to that of the nation-state and the global sphere. By focusing on political concepts such as power, justice and recognition you will learn to critically assess political values, policies and aspirations in terms of their desirability and soundness. Our emphasis on both (normative) political theory and empirical knowledge will allow you to imagine and design policies that are both viable and defensible. You will be prepared for any career or calling in service of the public good.
Study programme
Future career opportunities
After graduation, our students quickly take up positions as policy advisors, strategic consultants, or analysts for governments, NGOs, and think tanks. Others bridge theory and practice as journalists, teachers, managers or ethics officers in media, tech, and healthcare. Whether in international institutions, local governance, or academia, you’ll turn political critique into real-world solutions — helping to build more inclusive, just, and democratic societies.
Career prospectsResearch
To indicate the type of research in this specialisation, a few examples:
- What, if anything, do we owe to future generations, the Global South, minority groups, planet Earth?
- What can and should be our ambitions for city governance, given urgent urban challenges such as segregation, gentrification and homelessness?
- Why do we accept domination and dictatorship in the workplace, and under what (if any) conditions should we demand the democratisation of work?
- Do corporations have a responsibility for justice, and to what extent are political activities of firms in our democracies desirable and legitimate?
Questions about this programme?
Do you have a question about this programme? We're happy to help. Please contact us, ask a student or check out our information activities.
ContactTuitions & grants
If you are going to follow this Master's programme, you will pay an annual tuition fee. There are different tuition rates. The amount depends on your personal situation.
Tuition