Where and Why Study Political and Social Sciences?

Do You Want to Study Political and Social Sciences but Are Unsure If It's Right for You? In this article, we answer all your questions about the program: Who is it for? Where can you study it? What are the specializations? What job opportunities does it offer?

Program Description

The Political and Social Sciences program, also known as Pol&Soc, consists of a three-year bachelor’s degree followed by a one-year master’s degree, which can be pursued at a university. In this program, you study social and political issues from a scientific perspective, and you can choose to specialize in sociology or political science. The sociology track focuses on social issues. You will explore topics such as diversity, identity, poverty and inequalities, climate change, and the social consequences of digitalization. You will learn how our social context influences our ideas! The political science track allows you to understand decision-making processes. Who makes the decisions? You will analyze political parties, elections, and lobbying groups. In addition to studying the Belgian political system, you will also explore international politics. What are international organizations, and how do they function? Why did the United Kingdom want to leave the European Union?

📅 Duration: 3 years – 180 credits (+1 year – 60-credit master’s degree)

Is This Program Right for Me?

✔️ Sociology Track: Are you interested in how society functions? Do you want to contribute to discussions on immigrant integration, poverty reduction, and climate crisis solutions? Are you ready to conduct scientific research to find explanations? Then this program is for you!

✔️ Political Science Track: Are you interested in political events and current affairs? Are you motivated to analyze different theories and critically examine political structures? Do you want to learn how citizens participate in politics and how conflicts are resolved? Then this program is for you!

Where Can I Study This Program? 📍

The bachelor’s and master’s degrees are obtained at a university. Below is a list of universities that offer this program. Specializations may vary between universities.

🏛️ Universities Offering the Program:

• University of Liège (ULg) – Liège Sart Tilman Campus
• Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) – Solbosch Campus
• School of Political and Social Sciences (UCL) – Louvain-la-Neuve Campus
• University of Namur
• Under the Spotlight: The Defense – Master in Social and Military Sciences

At The Defense, you can pursue a Master’s in Social and Military Sciences. This program lasts four years and is equivalent to the Master’s in Political and Social Sciences. However, it is not entirely the same, as it also includes military training. In addition to general subjects such as philosophy, languages, and politics, you can also take specialized courses in ballistics, electricity, and mechanics. Sports training is also an essential part of this program. Plus, you will be paid during your studies! Once you graduate, you will start working as an officer in the Defense forces.

What Comes After My Bachelor’s Degree? 🎓

It is highly recommended to continue with a Master’s degree after completing the bachelor’s program. In Political Science, you can specialize in comparative and international politics, European politics, or political communication. In Sociology, you can focus on gender and diversity, labor sociology, or cultural sociology. A Master’s in Education is also an option!

You may also choose to pursue a second master’s degree to either broaden or deepen your expertise.

What Careers Can I Pursue?

With a degree in Political Science or Sociology, you will have access to a wide range of career opportunities. Sociology Graduates can work in Sociocultural sector, Human Resources (HR), Education, Government institutions, Scientific research, Social services. Political Science Graduates understand how society and politics function. They can work in government institutions at all levels, from municipal to international (e.g., NATO). Potential roles include Policy advisor, Spokesperson, Diplomatic representative. Additionally, political science graduates can work in Media (journalism), Education, Scientific research, Business sector.

Find the Perfect School to Kickstart Your Career! 🚀

Looking for the perfect program to begin your studies? Discover all the available schools and training programs and choose the one that matches your ambitions! 👉 Explore our training pages here.