All programmes > Programme > Course of study : Master of International Politics (Leuven)

Master of International Politics (Leuven) (60 ECTS) Master of Science

 

Students with a degree obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community

After admission procedure

On the basis of the following degrees, or similar degrees, obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community:

  • Bachelor in de politieke wetenschappen en de sociologie (Leuven) (Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen, Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen + Optie economie, Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen + Optie politieke wetenschappen, Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen + Optie publiek management en beleid, Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen + Optie rechten, Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen: aangepaste derde fase voor studenten die de doorstroomoptie politieke wetenschappen in de bachelor in de geschiedenis hebben gevolgd + Technische optie (verplicht aan te duiden voor ‘afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen: aangepaste derde fase voor studenten die de doorstroomoptie politieke wetenschappen in de bachelor in de geschiedenis hebben gevolgd’), Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen: aangepaste derde fase voor studenten die de doorstroomoptie politieke wetenschappen in de bachelor in de rechten hebben gevolgd + Technische optie (verplicht aan te duiden voor ‘afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen: aangepaste derde fase voor studenten die de doorstroomoptie politieke wetenschappen in de bachelor in de rechten hebben gevolgd’), Afstudeerrichting sociologie + Technische optie (verplicht aan te duiden voor afstudeerrichting sociologie bij inschrijving in fase 2))

Bachelor in de politieke wetenschappen
Bachelor of Political Science
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Orientation Political Science)
Bachelor of European Studies
Bachelor in de sociale wetenschappen (specialisatie bestuurskunde)
Master in de politieke wetenschappen
Master of Political Science
Master in de internationale betrekkingen en diplomatie
Master of Conflict and Development Studies
Master in de sociale en militaire wetenschappen


For applicants whose degree is not mentioned in the list above:

Applicants who obtained their secondary school diploma or academic degree in Dutch can be admitted to one of the Dutch preparatory programmes (38 to 44 ECTS) of the Master in de vergelijkende en internationale politiek. They can simultaneously start with the Master of International Politics. They have to follow the application procedure as explained below and add proof of their knowledge of the Dutch language (e.g. Bachelor's/Master's diploma) to their application file. More information can be provided by the programme coordinator by sending an email to fsw.pol@kuleuven.be.

Applicants who obtained their secondary school diploma or professional academic degree in Dutch can be admitted to the Dutch bridging programme (71 ECTS) of the Master in de vergelijkende en internationale politiek, if they meet the admission requirements of the bridging programme. They can start with the Master of International Politics when they are at the end of the bridging programme. They have to follow the application procedure as explained below and add proof of their knowledge of the Dutch language (e.g. Bachelor's diploma) to their application file. More information can be provided by sending an email to fsw.pol@kuleuven.be. 

Additional information

A. Academic requirements

See the above listed degrees, or similar degrees, obtained in the Flemish Community.

B. Language requirements

As the Master of International Politics is completely taught in English, applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language and must submit an English proficiency test. We only accept the following language certificates:

•  TOEFL, for which the minimum total score is 100 (for the internet-based test) with a minimum of 22 on the four different components.
• Academic IELTS, for which the minimum total score required is 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 on the four different components.
•  Cambridge English Qualifications for general and higher education, for which we accept a minimum score of 184 on C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency.
•  ITACE, for which level C1 is required.

Students who obtained their secondary school diploma or academic degree in English at an institution of the Flemish Community can be exempted from this requirement.

Results of the language proficiency test have to be provided at the latest on the day of registration for the Master’s programme. A test registration however should already be uploaded onto the application form in case the applicant has not yet received his/her test results at the time of the application.

C. Document requirements

A decision for admission is based upon the evaluation of a complete application file.

•  Diploma(s) and transcript(s) of academic records: all applicants must upload PDF scans of his/her original diploma(s) and original transcript(s) of academic records. If the applicant has not graduated yet at the time of his/her application, proof of provisional graduation issued by the university and the intermediate official transcript(s) of records should be uploaded.
•  English Proficiency Certificate (or proof of test registration)
•  Proof of nationality: a scan of the identity page of your passport (for EEA citizens: a PDF scan of your national ID card will suffice)

Applicants with one of the degrees listed above, which they obtained in the Flemish Community, have to submit their application by email to fsw.pol@kuleuven.be by 15 September 2024.



Students with a degree not obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community

Candidates who did not obtain their previous degree(s) at an institution of the Flemish Community should submit an application via the Admissions Office: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/application/.

You can find a list of core documents which should be submitted with every application here: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/application/requesteddocuments.

Diploma requirements

FOR CANDIDATES WITH A DEGREE OBTAINED WITHIN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EEA)

Applicants who are holder of the following university degrees obtained outside the Flemish Community can be admitted to the Master of Science in International Politics:
•  Any Bachelor’s degree in the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Bachelor’s degree in the field of Humanities, provided that at least 30% of the courses cover the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Master’s degree in the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Master’s degree in the field of Humanities, provided that at least 30% of the courses cover the field of Political Sciences.

All applicants should have followed at least two courses on research methodology in Social Sciences Sciences (e.g. Introduction to Research Methods, Research Design, Qualitative Research Methods, Statistics, Quantitative Research Methods, Research Seminar, …). We expect that for at least one course applicants have written a research proposal/paper.


FOR CANDIDATES WITH A DEGREE OBTAINED OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (non-EEA)

Applicants who are holder of the following university degrees obtained outside the Flemish Community can be admitted to the Master of Science in International Politics:
•  Any Bachelor’s degree in the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Bachelor’s degree in the field of Humanities, provided that at least 30% of the courses cover the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Master’s degree in the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Master’s degree in the field of Humanities, provided that at least 30% of the courses cover the field of Political Sciences.

All applicants should have followed at least two courses on research methodology in Social Sciences (e.g. Introduction to Research Methods, Research Design, Qualitative Research Methods, Statistics, Quantitative Research Methods, Research Seminar,…). We expect that for at least one course applicants have written a research proposal/paper.
  

Language requirements

As the Master in International Politics is completely taught in English, applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language and must submit an English proficiency test. We only accept the following language certificates:

•  TOEFL, for which the minimum total score is 100 (for the internet-based test) with a minimum of 22 on the four different components.
•  Academic IELTS, for which the minimum total score required is 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 on the four different components.
•  Cambridge English Qualifications for general and higher education, for which we accept a minimum score of 184 on C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency.
•  ITACE, for which level C1 is required.

Students who obtained their secondary school diploma or academic degree in English in one of the following countries can be exempted from this requirement: Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America or the Netherlands.

Results of the language proficiency test have to be provided at the latest on the day of registration for the Master’s programme. A test registration however should already be uploaded onto the application form in case the applicant has not yet received his/her test results at the time of the application.

Additional requirements

FOR CANDIDATES WITH A DEGREE OBTAINED WITHIN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EEA)

1.  Diploma(s) and transcript(s) of academic records: all applicants must upload PDF scans of his/her original diploma(s) and original transcript(s) of academic records. If the applicant has not graduated yet at the time of his/her application, a proof of provisional graduation issued by the university and the intermediate official transcript(s) of records should be uploaded.
2.  Translation of diploma(s) and transcript(s) of records: if the documents are not in English, French, Dutch or German, these documents are to be translated by a registered translator. These documents must also be certified by the educational institution that issued them or by a national authority.
3.  English Proficiency Certificate (or proof of test registration; see language requirements).
4.  Letter of motivation (one-page letter motivating your interest in the programme) and CV. If the transcript(s) of academic records do(es) not yet include the courses of the last semester/academic year – e.g. because you have not graduated yet – kindly mention those courses and their credits in your CV.
5.  Proof of nationality: a scan of the identity page of your passport (for EEA citizens: a PDF scan of your national ID card will suffice).
6.  Copy of proof of payment of the application fee (made either via bank transfer or via credit card).

FOR CANDIDATES WITH A DEGREE OBTAINED OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (non-EEA)

1.  Diploma(s) and transcript(s) of academic records: all applicants must upload PDF scans of his/her original diploma(s) and original transcript(s) of academic records. If the applicant has not graduated yet at the time of his/her application, a proof of provisional graduation issued by the university and the intermediate official transcript(s) of records should be uploaded.
2.  Translation of diploma(s) and transcript(s) of records: if the documents are not in English, French, Dutch or German, these documents are to be translated by a registered translator. These documents must also be certified by the educational institution that issued them or by a national authority.
3.  English Proficiency Certificate (or proof of test registration; see language requirements).
4.  Letter of motivation (one-page letter motivating your interest in the programme) and CV. If the transcript(s) of academic records do(es) not yet include the courses of the last semester/academic year – e.g. because you have not graduated yet – kindly mention those courses and their credits in your CV.
5.  English translation of the learning goals, content and evaluation method(s) of the courses followed during previous studies that touch upon quantitative and/or qualitative research methods in Social Sciences.
6.  English research paper in which applicants prove that they have a firm grasp of Political Sciences theory, Social Sciences research methodology and academic writing. This can be a research paper written during previous studies or a new research proposal. It should at least include a problem statement, a research question, a short review of the academic literature and a discussion of the qualitative and/or quantitative research methods and analysis techniques that will be used to answer the research question.
7.  Proof of nationality: a scan of the identity page of your passport (for EEA citizens: a PDF scan of your national ID card will suffice).
8.  Copy of proof of payment of the application fee (made either via bank transfer or via credit card).

Students with a degree obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community

After admission procedure

On the basis of the following degrees, or similar degrees, obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community:

  • Bachelor in de politieke wetenschappen en de sociologie (Leuven) (Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen, Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen + Optie economie, Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen + Optie politieke wetenschappen, Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen + Optie publiek management en beleid, Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen + Optie rechten, Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen: aangepaste derde fase voor studenten die de doorstroomoptie politieke wetenschappen in de bachelor in de geschiedenis hebben gevolgd + Technische optie (verplicht aan te duiden voor ‘afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen: aangepaste derde fase voor studenten die de doorstroomoptie politieke wetenschappen in de bachelor in de geschiedenis hebben gevolgd’), Afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen: aangepaste derde fase voor studenten die de doorstroomoptie politieke wetenschappen in de bachelor in de rechten hebben gevolgd + Technische optie (verplicht aan te duiden voor ‘afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen: aangepaste derde fase voor studenten die de doorstroomoptie politieke wetenschappen in de bachelor in de rechten hebben gevolgd’))

Bachelor in de politieke wetenschappen
Bachelor of Political Science
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Orientation Political Science)
Master in de politieke wetenschappen
Master of Political Science
Master in de internationale betrekkingen en diplomatie
Master of Conflict and Development Studies
Master in de sociale en militaire wetenschappen

For applicants whose degree is not mentioned in the list above:

Applicants who obtained their secondary school diploma or academic degree in Dutch can be admitted to one of the Dutch preparatory programmes (38 to 44 ECTS) of the Master in de vergelijkende en internationale politiek. They can simultaneously start with the Master of International Politics. They have to follow the application procedure as explained below and add proof of their knowledge of the Dutch language (e.g. Bachelor's/Master's diploma) to their application file. More information can be provided by the programme coordinator by sending an email to fsw.pol@kuleuven.be.

Applicants who obtained their secondary school diploma or professional academic degree in Dutch can be admitted to the Dutch bridging programme (71 ECTS) of the Master in de vergelijkende en internationale politiek, if they meet the admission requirements of the bridging programme. They can start with the Master of International Politics when they are at the end of the bridging programme. They have to follow the application procedure as explained below and add proof of their knowledge of the Dutch language (e.g. Bachelor's diploma) to their application file. More information can be provided by sending an email to fsw.pol@kuleuven.be. 

Additional information

A. Academic requirements

See the above listed degrees, or similar degrees, obtained in the Flemish Community.

B. Language requirements

As the Master of International Politics is completely taught in English, applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language and must submit an English proficiency test. We only accept the following language certificates:

•  TOEFL, for which the minimum total score is 100 (for the internet-based test) with a minimum of 22 on the four different components.
• Academic IELTS, for which the minimum total score required is 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 on the four different components.
•  Cambridge English Qualifications for general and higher education, for which we accept a minimum score of 184 on C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency.
•  ITACE, for which level C1 is required.

Students who obtained their secondary school diploma or academic degree in English at an institution of the Flemish Community can be exempted from this requirement.

Results of the language proficiency test have to be provided at the latest on the day of registration for the Master’s programme. A test registration however should already be uploaded onto the application form in case the applicant has not yet received his/her test results at the time of the application.

C. Document requirements

A decision for admission is based upon the evaluation of a complete application file.

•  Diploma(s) and transcript(s) of academic records: all applicants must upload PDF scans of his/her original diploma(s) and original transcript(s) of academic records. If the applicant has not graduated yet at the time of his/her application, proof of provisional graduation issued by the university and the intermediate official transcript(s) of records should be uploaded.
•  English Proficiency Certificate (or proof of test registration)
•  Proof of nationality: a scan of the identity page of your passport (for EEA citizens: a PDF scan of your national ID card will suffice)

Applicants with one of the degrees listed above, which they obtained in the Flemish Community, have to submit their application by email to fsw.pol@kuleuven.be by 15 September 2024.



Students with a degree not obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community

Candidates who did not obtain their previous degree(s) at an institution of the Flemish Community should submit an application via the Admissions Office: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/application/.

You can find a list of core documents which should be submitted with every application here: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/application/requesteddocuments.

Diploma requirements

FOR CANDIDATES WITH A DEGREE OBTAINED WITHIN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EEA)

Applicants who are holder of the following university degrees obtained outside the Flemish Community can be admitted to the Master of Science in International Politics:
•  Any Bachelor’s degree in the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Bachelor’s degree in the field of Humanities, provided that at least 30% of the courses cover the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Master’s degree in the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Master’s degree in the field of Humanities, provided that at least 30% of the courses cover the field of Political Sciences.

All applicants should have followed at least two courses on research methodology in Social Sciences Sciences (e.g. Introduction to Research Methods, Research Design, Qualitative Research Methods, Statistics, Quantitative Research Methods, Research Seminar, …). We expect that for at least one course applicants have written a research proposal/paper.


FOR CANDIDATES WITH A DEGREE OBTAINED OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (non-EEA)

Applicants who are holder of the following university degrees obtained outside the Flemish Community can be admitted to the Master of Science in International Politics:
•  Any Bachelor’s degree in the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Bachelor’s degree in the field of Humanities, provided that at least 30% of the courses cover the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Master’s degree in the field of Political Sciences.
•  Any Master’s degree in the field of Humanities, provided that at least 30% of the courses cover the field of Political Sciences.

All applicants should have followed at least two courses on research methodology in Social Sciences (e.g. Introduction to Research Methods, Research Design, Qualitative Research Methods, Statistics, Quantitative Research Methods, Research Seminar,…). We expect that for at least one course applicants have written a research proposal/paper.
  

Language requirements

As the Master in International Politics is completely taught in English, applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language and must submit an English proficiency test. We only accept the following language certificates:

•  TOEFL, for which the minimum total score is 100 (for the internet-based test) with a minimum of 22 on the four different components.
•  Academic IELTS, for which the minimum total score required is 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 on the four different components.
•  Cambridge English Qualifications for general and higher education, for which we accept a minimum score of 184 on C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency.
•  ITACE, for which level C1 is required.

Students who obtained their secondary school diploma or academic degree in English in one of the following countries can be exempted from this requirement: Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America or the Netherlands.

Results of the language proficiency test have to be provided at the latest on the day of registration for the Master’s programme. A test registration however should already be uploaded onto the application form in case the applicant has not yet received his/her test results at the time of the application.

Additional requirements

FOR CANDIDATES WITH A DEGREE OBTAINED WITHIN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EEA)

1.  Diploma(s) and transcript(s) of academic records: all applicants must upload PDF scans of his/her original diploma(s) and original transcript(s) of academic records. If the applicant has not graduated yet at the time of his/her application, a proof of provisional graduation issued by the university and the intermediate official transcript(s) of records should be uploaded.
2.  Translation of diploma(s) and transcript(s) of records: if the documents are not in English, French, Dutch or German, these documents are to be translated by a registered translator. These documents must also be certified by the educational institution that issued them or by a national authority.
3.  English Proficiency Certificate (or proof of test registration; see language requirements).
4.  Letter of motivation (one-page letter motivating your interest in the programme) and CV. If the transcript(s) of academic records do(es) not yet include the courses of the last semester/academic year – e.g. because you have not graduated yet – kindly mention those courses and their credits in your CV.
5.  Proof of nationality: a scan of the identity page of your passport (for EEA citizens: a PDF scan of your national ID card will suffice).
6.  Copy of proof of payment of the application fee (made either via bank transfer or via credit card).

FOR CANDIDATES WITH A DEGREE OBTAINED OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (non-EEA)

1.  Diploma(s) and transcript(s) of academic records: all applicants must upload PDF scans of his/her original diploma(s) and original transcript(s) of academic records. If the applicant has not graduated yet at the time of his/her application, a proof of provisional graduation issued by the university and the intermediate official transcript(s) of records should be uploaded.
2.  Translation of diploma(s) and transcript(s) of records: if the documents are not in English, French, Dutch or German, these documents are to be translated by a registered translator. These documents must also be certified by the educational institution that issued them or by a national authority.
3.  English Proficiency Certificate (or proof of test registration; see language requirements).
4.  Letter of motivation (one-page letter motivating your interest in the programme) and CV. If the transcript(s) of academic records do(es) not yet include the courses of the last semester/academic year – e.g. because you have not graduated yet – kindly mention those courses and their credits in your CV.
5.  English translation of the learning goals, content and evaluation method(s) of the courses followed during previous studies that touch upon quantitative and/or qualitative research methods in Social Sciences.
6.  English research paper in which applicants prove that they have a firm grasp of Political Sciences theory, Social Sciences research methodology and academic writing. This can be a research paper written during previous studies or a new research proposal. It should at least include a problem statement, a research question, a short review of the academic literature and a discussion of the qualitative and/or quantitative research methods and analysis techniques that will be used to answer the research question.
7.  Proof of nationality: a scan of the identity page of your passport (for EEA citizens: a PDF scan of your national ID card will suffice).
8.  Copy of proof of payment of the application fee (made either via bank transfer or via credit card).
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