Political Science: Global Politics, Master's Programme (Two-year)
The Global Politics master's programme has a broad and interdisciplinary nature, which was one of the reasons I chose this programme. The programme explores international relations and human rights issues, which excited me due to my previous studies in human rights.
Nadja Carlborg, student
About the education
The master's programme Global Politics aims towards you who are interested in global political issues. You will learn how an increasingly complex world, where the global and the local meet, presents us with new challenges and opportunities. The programme provides you with a solid practical base concerning concepts like justice, peace, security, power, culture and democracy. You will learn how to analyse conflicts, international relations and human rights claims and violations.
This is a multi-disciplinary programme with a core of political science that addresses aspects of international relations, human rights and peace and conflict studies. The focus lays on the transformation of society, especially concerning the relationship between the state and other actors such as international organisations and companies.
Changes in political control, from reduced central control towards a greater degree of network control will also be addressed. You will analyse the growing importance of international norms, such as human rights. The emergence of other conflict patterns than those related to socio-economic resources (such as culture, ideology and religion) is important parts of the courses.
We live in interesting times. Our news tells us that the world is changing rapidly – political and economic institutions once seen as permanent appear increasingly fragile and subject to change. Yet, despite various moments of so-called ‘crisis’ in which change might be expected, we see significant levels of continuity with respect to the underlying policies and actors governing that world.
Is the US losing power? Are the so-called BRICs taking over? What is the future of democracy? Is conflict increasing? And why does neoliberalism remain so resilient despite the financial crisis and ongoing economic instability? Only through developing expertise and forming new knowledge can we begin to understand these questions with the aim of ensuring the world is managed optimally.
This two-year master's programme draws on the one-year master’s in political science, with additional opportunities for an internship, exchange studies or elective courses. This provides you with the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and gain practical experience, as well as the chance to develop relationships and network with people and organisations working with political and global issues.
The programme is thoroughly interdisciplinary and draws on the different strengths from fields within the Department of Global Political Studies, including international relations, peace and conflict studies, human rights, public policy, but also ethnography and philosophy. To gain a deeper understanding of the changes in political science, we consider four key development areas:
- global politics: an increasing number of international and intergovernmental organisations impact world politics.
- government and governance: whilst new information technologies and surveillance legislation mean that the administrative powers of the state have never been stronger, the concept of ‘government’ has become increasingly surpassed by ‘governance’ at the transnational level. Few decisions affecting our lives are made exclusively within the national context.
- existing modes of power are challenged: there has been a significant change in how organisations like NGOs, as well as everyday individuals, challenge existing governance and modes of power. For example, social media has radically changed the transnational political landscape to both enable new forms of protest and contestation, as well as facilitate new political identities.
- global concerns: issues like climate change and terrorism show that increasingly the kind of problems requiring policy solutions far exceed the confines of any nation-state. That is to say, policy problems are increasingly transnational and therefore require transnational solutions.
The programme should be of interest to individuals committed to a career in which knowledge of our changing world is an evident benefit, with relevance to employers including international agencies, non-governmental organisations, transnational businesses, and local/national administrative agencies.
Courses within the programme
Autumn 2025 - Semester 1
- Political Science: Global Politics as Social Science (GP616L), 30 credits
Spring 2026 - Semester 2
- Political Science: The Politics of Pluralism (ST620L), 7.5 credits
- Decision Making, States and Institutions (GP620L), 7.5 credits
- Political Science: Social Science Methods for Global Politics (GP629L), 15 credits
Autumn 2026 - Semester 3
Elective semester: courses at the Department of Global Political Studies, Malmö University, other Swedish universities or abroad (i.e. exchange studies), or internship.
Spring 2027 - Semester 4
- Political Science: Master's thesis (ST631L), 30 credits
Entry requirements and selection
Here you can find the entry requirements, as well as how the available study places are distributed between applicants in the selection.
If you have any questions about general admission, you are welcome to contact us.
Entry requirements
A Bachelor’s Degree within a social science field, e.g., Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Human Rights or a related major field. Equivalent of English 6 from Swedish secondary school.
Selection
100% University credits completed
"This programme enables you to build a wide range of knowledge in the field of global politics"
Nadja Carlborg studied her bachelor’s in human rights at Malmö University and chose to continue her academic journey in the Global Politics master’s programme. She enjoys the programme’s multi-disciplinary approach and the opportunity to learn more about international relations and human rights....
"This programme enables you to build a wide range of knowledge in the field of global politics"
Nadja Carlborg studied her bachelor’s in human rights at Malmö University and chose to continue her academic journey in the Global Politics master’s programme. She enjoys the programme’s multi-disciplinary approach and the opportunity to learn more about international relations and human rights. Right now, she’s an intern at Save the Children.
Why did you choose the Global Politics master's programme?
"I enjoy learning and expanding my academic knowledge, especially in the field of global politics. Master's studies enable me to further my knowledge in this field – something I was eager to do after my bachelor's in human rights. I also believed it would be a great stepping-stone to my future career. A master's degree strengthens my resume and can result in exciting opportunities."
"The Global Politics master's programme has a broad and interdisciplinary nature, which was one of the reasons I chose this programme. The programme explores international relations and human rights issues, which excited me due to my previous studies in human rights."
What do you learn during the programme?
"This programme enables you to build a wide range of knowledge. In summary, you learn about global issues, policymaking, pluralism, the modern state, and how to conduct and transcribe interviews. Most exams allow you to select a subject within the framework of the assignment, which gives you the option to either learn more about a subject you already know something about, or to learn something entirely new. I think that’s a huge benefit."
What has been the best course and moment so far?
"The course on policymaking was undoubtedly my favourite. Understanding policymaking processes, as well as the ability to analyse individual policies, will be valuable skills in my professional career. This course also inspired me to choose the method of policy analysis for my master’s thesis."
"I’ll be conducting my thesis in Argentina later this year, and I had the privilege to receive the Crafoord Scholarship as funding for the trip."
Save the Children
"One key reason behind my decision to pursue a master's was the opportunity to do an internship. I got a position in an NGO, which will be a great advantage in my future career, and I’m happy that the programme offers an elective term for this."
"I’ve just started my internship as business developer at Save the Children Sweden, Southern Region. I get to support the work of local clubs in different cities, such as identifying target groups and project planning. Soon, I will also facilitate the mandatory introduction course for all new volunteers of Save the Children and represent the organisation at the University’s association fair."
"I’ve already learned a lot about child poverty in Sweden and projects the organisation has started to counter it. It’s a common misconception that they merely focus on projects overseas – in fact, they do a great deal of important work for children in Sweden. I feel proud to be a part of this, and I can see myself working here once I finish my degree."
"I felt at home right away"
Originally from the Netherlands, Elina Natobidze-Airiian moved to Sweden to study the master’s programme in political science. After graduating, she moved back to work for the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in the Netherlands. Today she lives in Tbilisi, Georgia.
"I felt at home right away"
Originally from the Netherlands, Elina Natobidze-Airiian moved to Sweden to study the master’s programme in political science. After graduating, she moved back to work for the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in the Netherlands. Today she lives in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Why did you choose the Political Science programme?
"After doing some online research, I came across Malmö University and this particular programme, which immediately caught my attention. I liked the fact that it is a multi-disciplinary programme which addresses aspects of international relations, human rights and peace and conflict studies. As the world is more interconnected than ever before, I think it is important to understand how social, economic and political transformations affect local, national, European and global governance. Apart from that, political science graduates can work for a wide range of employers, such as the United Nations, the European Union, multinationals and NGOs."
What did you like most about the education?
"I really liked the fact that the programme has a good balance between lectures and seminars unlike many other master’s programmes. In this way, students are encouraged to participate in group discussions and ask the teacher questions. In addition, I appreciated the informal nature of Swedish society where students are free to think creatively and choose how to approach an assignment. I liked that the examination largely relied on doing your own research and academic writing rather than sit-in exams. There was also less emphasis on grades, which made studying less stressful and more enjoyable."
Why did you choose to study a master’s programme?
"After completing my bachelor’s programme I worked full-time for approximately a year. This break from studying gave me an opportunity to reflect on my goals. I realized that I really wanted to invest in my future and to pursue my interests in more depth. Also, I believe that having extra qualifications will make you stand out in the job market. Furthermore, it is a great way to build your network and to connect with likeminded people.
"In my opinion, the importance of studying at master’s level depends primarily on your career ambitions and your interests. A master in Political Science is more an in-depth study of the broader topics that are covered in a bachelor’s programme. Personally, I found it very interesting to pursue politics at a more advanced level. In addition, a master in political science has definitely improved my research and writing skills, which are required in many job positions."
What was your impression of Malmö and Sweden?
"When I first arrived in Malmö, I felt at home right away. The flat landscape, the green areas and the many cycle routes felt pleasantly familiar to my home town in the Netherlands. Apart from that, Malmö is a very diverse and international city and you can easily communicate in English with people. Also, I was surprised by how well-organized, egalitarian and environmentally-conscious Sweden is. In addition, the public transportation works very well and can take you in less than 30 minutes to Copenhagen. Lastly, it is often said that Sweden has a reputation for being an expensive country. However, I believe that it is totally possible to find cheaper options in Malmö as well."
