Political Science and International Relations Degrees in Europe for International Students

The field: political science, IR, public policy and European studies

Europe is one of the strongest places in the world to study how governments, international institutions and societies work — and many programmes are taught in English. The broad field splits into several closely related degrees: political science (how political systems and behaviour work), international relations (relations between states and global institutions), public policy and public administration (how policy is made and delivered), and European studies (the institutions, law and politics of Europe and the EU).

These overlap, and a degree titled 'International Relations' at one university can look like 'Political Science' at another. As always, read the module list, not just the title, to see what you would actually study.

Three common European models

It helps to recognise a few distinct teaching models you will meet when comparing programmes.

The specialised social-science institute model (associated with grandes écoles such as Sciences Po and similar institutes elsewhere) builds an interdisciplinary core in politics, economics, law, history and sociology, often with a strong international and policy orientation. The broad research-university model — common in the Netherlands and the Nordics — places political science or IR within a large university, frequently with English-taught bachelor's and master's tracks and a research-methods backbone. The applied public-administration model focuses on governance, policy analysis and the public sector. None is 'better'; they suit different goals.

• Specialised social-science institute — interdisciplinary core, strong international/policy focus (Sciences Po-style institutes)
• Broad research university — political science/IR inside a large university, often English-taught (Netherlands, Nordics)
• Applied public administration / public policy — governance and policy-analysis focus, often a professional master's

English-taught options and where to find them

English-taught political science and IR degrees are widely available, especially at master's level, and notably in the Netherlands, the Nordic countries, and at international-track programmes in France, Germany and Italy.

Do not rely on a memorised list. Use the official national study portals to filter by subject and by language of instruction: Study in NL (Nuffic) for the Netherlands, University Admissions for Sweden, Campus France for France, the DAAD database for Germany, and Universitaly for Italy. Then confirm the language and content on the individual university's own programme page, since offerings are added and withdrawn each cycle.

How programmes are structured and what you study

Most political science and IR degrees follow the Bologna structure — a bachelor's, then a master's — with study measured in transferable ECTS credits across the European Higher Education Area.

Expect a core of political theory, comparative politics, international relations theory and research methods (qualitative and increasingly quantitative), then specialisation: security studies, political economy, EU governance, development, human rights, area studies and so on. Many master's are one to two years; some include a thesis, an internship, or a study-abroad term. Confirm a programme's length, credit load and whether it includes a thesis or placement on the official course page.

Entry, English evidence and the visa step

Admission typically weighs your prior qualification (a recognised secondary certificate for a bachelor's, or a relevant bachelor's for a master's), sometimes a motivation letter or relevant background, and English proficiency evidenced by IELTS, TOEFL or an accepted equivalent. Some selective institutes add their own admission process.

Do not assume a fixed grade or test score — each university publishes and updates its own. For the residence permit or student visa, every country sets its own requirements and financial-proof rules; this is general information, not immigration advice, so verify the current rules on the official government source for your destination before you commit.