Your input will help us improve your experience.You can close this popup to continue using the website or choose an option below to register in or login.
Never before have political decisions been so interconnected across the world. Climate change, threats to democracy, shifts in global economic power, the rise of AI and big data. They all impact global politics. But how? Who are the main actors? And what are the critical factors in the choices that political actors make and the outcomes we get?
The Master’s in Political Science at VU Amsterdam teaches you to analyse political power in its social and international context. Offering a broad range of theoretical perspectives and research skills, the programme enables you to analyse the major political challenges of our time and the solutions proposed for them.
The VU Master Political Science is set up as an integrated programme with a special focus on the interactions between national and international politics. From 2025-2026 onwards, we offer four specialisations in which you can graduate under the guidance of our expert faculty:
Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Politics
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Find solutions to social and political problems
Never before have political decisions been so interconnected across the world. Climate change, threats to democracy, shifts in global economic power, the rise of AI and big data. They all impact global politics. But how? Who are the main actors? And what are the critical factors in the choices that political actors make and the outcomes we get?
The Master’s in Political Science at VU Amsterdam teaches you to analyse political power in its social and international context. Offering a broad range of theoretical perspectives and research skills, the programme enables you to analyse the major political challenges of our time and the solutions proposed for them.
The VU Master Political Science is set up as an integrated programme with a special focus on the interactions between national and international politics. From 2025-2026 onwards, we offer four specialisations in which you can graduate under the guidance of our expert faculty:
Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet the following admission requirements:
1. Academic requirements
Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree ( wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO ) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years).
2. Programme specific requirements
The Admission Board needs to establish that you meet all of the following admission requirements:
A sufficient background in the field of quantitative and qualitative methods and techniques of social science research
A sufficient background in the field of political science
This can be demonstrated by having a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Political Science obtained at a research university and with a curriculum including social science research methods. After completing such a degree, you are sufficiently equipped with both quantitative and qualitative methodology and academic writing and analytical skills, which are requirements for admission to the programme.
Furthermore you are admissible to the Master’s programme in Political Science with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree obtained at the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) including a minor programme in Political Science, such as the VU FSS minor Political Science.
In all cases, your bachelor must be equivalent to a Dutch academic (WO) bachelor and therefore must be completed at a research university.
3. English language proficiency requirements
You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page .
You can already submit your application form without having met the English language requirements, but if you are conditionally admitted, you still have to meet the English language requirements.
Sep
Tuition fees
Domestic
2,694
International
24,830
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
Start at the programme page of the degree you are interested in. Read the admission requirements and application steps carefully. Then apply through Studielink, complete your application on your VU dashboard, pay the application fee (if required), and wait for the admission decision, which is usually communicated within 4–6 weeks.
Check the specific ‘Admissions’ section on your programme’s page for required documents. General requirements include your diploma, transcripts and other supporting documents. Documents should be in English, German, Dutch, French, Italian, or Spanish; others must be translated into English.
Yes, for Master’s, you can apply without a diploma copy; if conditionally admitted, you must send a certified diploma copy before the deadline.
The International Office checks your application for completeness. If there’s missing or incorrect information, they will contact you. Otherwise, your application is reviewed and you typically receive a decision within 4–8 weeks. Check your email (including spam) regularly for updates.
Political Sciences
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
# 151-200QS Subject Rankings
24,830 Tuition Fee/year
PoliticsMain Subject Area
Programme overview
Main Subject
Politics
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Find solutions to social and political problems
Never before have political decisions been so interconnected across the world. Climate change, threats to democracy, shifts in global economic power, the rise of AI and big data. They all impact global politics. But how? Who are the main actors? And what are the critical factors in the choices that political actors make and the outcomes we get?
The Master’s in Political Science at VU Amsterdam teaches you to analyse political power in its social and international context. Offering a broad range of theoretical perspectives and research skills, the programme enables you to analyse the major political challenges of our time and the solutions proposed for them.
The VU Master Political Science is set up as an integrated programme with a special focus on the interactions between national and international politics. From 2025-2026 onwards, we offer four specialisations in which you can graduate under the guidance of our expert faculty:
Democracy, Power and Inequality
Global Environmental Politics
International Relations: Geopolitics and Global Political Economy
International Relations: Peace and Security
Summer School
Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Politics
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Find solutions to social and political problems
Never before have political decisions been so interconnected across the world. Climate change, threats to democracy, shifts in global economic power, the rise of AI and big data. They all impact global politics. But how? Who are the main actors? And what are the critical factors in the choices that political actors make and the outcomes we get?
The Master’s in Political Science at VU Amsterdam teaches you to analyse political power in its social and international context. Offering a broad range of theoretical perspectives and research skills, the programme enables you to analyse the major political challenges of our time and the solutions proposed for them.
The VU Master Political Science is set up as an integrated programme with a special focus on the interactions between national and international politics. From 2025-2026 onwards, we offer four specialisations in which you can graduate under the guidance of our expert faculty:
Democracy, Power and Inequality
Global Environmental Politics
International Relations: Geopolitics and Global Political Economy
International Relations: Peace and Security
Summer School
Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet the following admission requirements:
1. Academic requirements
Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree ( wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO ) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years).
2. Programme specific requirements
The Admission Board needs to establish that you meet all of the following admission requirements:
A sufficient background in the field of quantitative and qualitative methods and techniques of social science research
A sufficient background in the field of political science
This can be demonstrated by having a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Political Science obtained at a research university and with a curriculum including social science research methods. After completing such a degree, you are sufficiently equipped with both quantitative and qualitative methodology and academic writing and analytical skills, which are requirements for admission to the programme.
Furthermore you are admissible to the Master’s programme in Political Science with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree obtained at the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) including a minor programme in Political Science, such as the VU FSS minor Political Science.
In all cases, your bachelor must be equivalent to a Dutch academic (WO) bachelor and therefore must be completed at a research university.
3. English language proficiency requirements
You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page .
You can already submit your application form without having met the English language requirements, but if you are conditionally admitted, you still have to meet the English language requirements.
Tuition fees
Domestic
International
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
How to get a full scholarship
Looking for a fully-funded scholarship to see you into university? Find out how to boost your chances of getting one.
Scholarships to study abroad
Find scholarships to study abroad with our lists of international scholarships – categorized by country, by subject, and by type of student.
Scholarship Applications: Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all your questions about scholarship applications, including tips on how to find scholarships and chances of success.
More programmes from the university
Genes in Behaviour and Health (Research Master)
Genes in Behaviour and Health (Research Master)
Social Sciences for a Digital Society (Research Master)
Social Sciences for a Digital Society (Research Master)
Arts and Humanities (7)
Ancient Studies
Ancient Studies
Archaeology
Archaeology
History and International Studies
History and International Studies
Language and Media
Language and Media
Language and Mind
Language and Mind
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Literature and Society English
Literature and Society English
Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Business and Management (7)
Bachelor Econometrics and Operations Research
Bachelor Econometrics and Operations Research
Business Analytics
Business Analytics
Econometrics and Data Science
Econometrics and Data Science
Economics and Business Economics
Economics and Business Economics
International Business Administration
International Business Administration
Engineering and Technology (7)
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Science
Computer Science
Creative Technology
Creative Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Life Sciences and Medicine (7)
Psychology
Psychology
Natural Sciences (7)
Mathematics
Mathematics
Others (7)
Biomedical Sciences
Biomedical Sciences
History and International Studies
History and International Studies
Social Sciences and Management (7)
Communication Science
Communication Science
Communication and Information Studies
Communication and Information Studies
Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
Law in Society
Law in Society
Media, Art, Design and Architecture
Media, Art, Design and Architecture
Political Science: Global Politics
Political Science: Global Politics
Arts and Humanities (6)
Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture: Comparative Arts and Media Studies
Arts & Culture: Comparative Arts and Media Studies
Arts & Culture: Contemporary Art History
Arts & Culture: Contemporary Art History
Arts & Culture: Design Cultures
Arts & Culture: Design Cultures
Classics and Ancient Civilizations
Classics and Ancient Civilizations
Classics and Ancient Civilizations Ancient Studies: Classics
Classics and Ancient Civilizations Ancient Studies: Classics
Classics and Ancient Civilizations: Ancient Studies
Classics and Ancient Civilizations: Ancient Studies
Classics and Ancient Civilizations: Research
Classics and Ancient Civilizations: Research
Humanities
Humanities
Master's Programme in Archaeology
Master's Programme in Archaeology
Master's Programme in Architecture, Cities, Landscapes: History and Heritage
Master's Programme in Architecture, Cities, Landscapes: History and Heritage
Social and Cultural Anthropology
Social and Cultural Anthropology
Business and Management (6)
Accounting and Control
Accounting and Control
Econometrics and Operations Research: Business Engineering and Data-Driven Decision Making
Econometrics and Operations Research: Business Engineering and Data-Driven Decision Making
Economics
Economics
International Business Law
International Business Law
Marketing: Brand and Customer Management
Marketing: Brand and Customer Management
Master of Science in Business Administration
Master of Science in Business Administration
Master's Programme in Business Analytics
Master's Programme in Business Analytics
Spatial and Applied Economics
Spatial and Applied Economics
Engineering and Technology (6)
Biomedical Technology and Physics
Biomedical Technology and Physics
Business Data Science (Research Master)
Business Data Science (Research Master)
Computer Science: Big Data Engineering
Computer Science: Big Data Engineering
Computer Security
Computer Security
Master's Programme in Artificial Intelligence
Master's Programme in Artificial Intelligence
Master's in Public Administration: Artificial Intelligence and Governance
Master's in Public Administration: Artificial Intelligence and Governance
Life Sciences and Medicine (6)
AI for Health
AI for Health
Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Biomolecular Sciences
Biomolecular Sciences
CIS: Dialogue, Health and Society
CIS: Dialogue, Health and Society
CIS: Multimodal Communication
CIS: Multimodal Communication
Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology (Research)
Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology (Research)
Genes in Behaviour and Health (Research Master)
Genes in Behaviour and Health (Research Master)
Global Health (Research Master)
Global Health (Research Master)
Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences
Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences
Neurosciences
Neurosciences
Natural Sciences (6)
Earth Sciences
Earth Sciences
Ecology and Evolution
Ecology and Evolution
Environment and Resource Management
Environment and Resource Management
Hydrology
Hydrology
Social Sciences and Management (6)
Human Movement Sciences (Research)
Human Movement Sciences (Research)
Human Movement Sciences: Biophysics in Sport
Human Movement Sciences: Biophysics in Sport
Information Sciences
Information Sciences
Political Sciences
Political Sciences
Public Administration
Public Administration
Religion and Theology
Religion and Theology
Social Psychology
Social Psychology
Social Sciences for a Digital Society (Research Master)
Social Sciences for a Digital Society (Research Master)
Political Sciences
Videos & media
Videos & media
Frequently Asked Questions