• The SOCO Faculty
• The Departments of the Faculty
  • Sciences Sociales et Sciences du travail
  • Political Science
• Programmes and Students in the Soco Faculty
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• International Exchange Program INCOMING
• Scientific Research
• Staff
• Parc Didactique Informatique
• Offres d'emploi

The Departement of Political Science

The Department of Political Science at ULB is preparing students to become experts in all dimensions of politics: government at national and European levels, issues of power and state, public administration and various aspects of international relations.
 
During the first three years (Bachelor’s level), the student’s programme is mixing strong introductory courses with some specialization courses. Introductory courses address both political science questions as well as ‘sister disciplines’ like economics, geography, history, law, psychology, sociology. Most of courses consist of modules of 30 hours taught in blocks of 2 hours per week during one term (Fall term: from mid-September until mid-December; Winter/Spring term: from February until mid-May).
 
Programmes for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are divided into courses (in which the faculty is delivering knowledge through teaching) and seminars (which require participation of students through learning processes). Assessment for courses is done through (mostly written but sometimes oral) exams while seminars’ evaluation is based on interactivity during classes, assignments to students and paper writing. Exam sessions take place in January or June, with a second chance in August.
 
The last two years (Master’s level) offer more specialization:

• all students are required to follow compulsory courses (the basic module);
• but they are also asked to choose one major module (named in French ‘orientation’ or ‘finalité’) among the following ones: international relations (relations internationales), comparative politics and area studies (politique comparée, government (vie politique), public policies and management (politiques et gestion publiques), public administration (administration publique), research career (recherché), educational career (didactique).

 
During the Master’s years, there are usually more oral exams than during the Bachelor’s. At the end of the second MA year, the student has to hand in and defend a research dissertation whose topic is agreed by the department one year in advance.
 
As far as languages are concerned, students follow three levels of English during the three years of Bachelor’s degree (aim: being able to deliver a basic presentation about a political science topic). They have to choose a second language for which they are asked to follow two levels (aim: understanding a text of political science written in either Dutch or German or Spanish).
 
At the end of its second BA year, the student can apply for a mobility scheme during his/her third BA year, either for one full year or for one term. The Department of Political Science at ULB has developed a dynamic network of exchanges with many universities in Europe under the Erasmus programme (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden etc.), but also with other Belgian universities in Flanders (Erasmus Belgica) and worldwide (Canada, Japan, Russia).
 
The students who, after four (240 ECTS) or five (300 ECTS) years, are graduated in Political Science from ULB are therefore highly skilled in the knowledge of social sciences widely and in a specialized area of political science, with strong language, international and research components.
 
The political science degree is appreciated for paving the way to various careers: high school teaching, higher education and/or research, diplomacy, journalism, public service, international organisations, jobs related to the political and social life or non-profit organisations, private sector, banking, human resources, public relations, etc.
 
We remain at your disposal for further information.