2026-2027

Bachelor in Political Sciences : General

Schedule

regular course
ECTS Credits 180

Presentation
Programme
Opportunities

Overview

Your bachelor’s program begins with a broad foundation in the humanities (political economy, law, philosophy, history, sociology, media studies) and analytical tools (qualitative methods, statistics, and databases).

You will learn to master the fundamentals of the discipline’s four major areas: political sociology, analysis of public policy, the theory and history of political ideas, and international and European relations.

Starting in the second block, you’ll be immersed in the specifics of political science! You’ll gain a thorough understanding of Belgian politics and the dynamics of power at the national, European, and international levels. The international focus of your program is further developed through courses in economic relations, international relations, public law and European institutions, international economic policy… as well as through meetings with professionals in the field.

You're off to a good start

You want to understand how our company operates;
you want to play a direct role in managing our company and shaping its future;
you are passionate about current events and political issues at the national, European, and international levels;
you have an analytical and critical mind;
you are fluent in both spoken and written communication and would like to do so in other languages.

Teaching Methods

Courses, practical sessions, project coaching, meetings with industry professionals… we do everything we can to ensure a thorough understanding of the concepts and the development of practical skills.

From the very beginning, you will learn to identify political trends, research information, analyze data, and propose concrete actions to address various institutional, economic, social, and diplomatic challenges.

Throughout your program, you will develop communication skills, not only in French but also in two other languages: English and either Dutch, German, or Spanish. Starting in Block 2, several courses are taught entirely in English and are based on independent and guided reading, learning discipline-specific vocabulary, group discussion sessions, and more.

During seminars and numerous practical assignments, you will meet leaders of international institutions, Belgian politicians, and representatives of civil society. Drawing on their experiences, you will gain a fresh perspective on the pillars of political science, enabling you to become specialists in the field.

Développez vos compétences linguistiques !

En plus de l’anglais, vous apprenez une seconde langue (allemand, espagnol ou néerlandais) dans une perspective concrète et directement intégrée dans vos projets. Quel que soit votre niveau, vous progressez grâce à des activités immersives : excursions, tables de conversation, tandems…

Learning by doing

Get involved in political issues starting in high school!

At the heart of political issues right from the baccalaureate!

Project-based learning integrates and applies your knowledge from multiple disciplines through real-world case studies. 

 Just like real policy experts, you learn to work collaboratively and demonstrate a range of skills:

from observation, literature review, source criticism, data collection, and analysis;
to producing a high-quality report—in some cases, including a policy brief written in English—which you present, along with your team, to a panel.

To boost your soft skills in foreign-language communication, coaching is provided by your language instructors.

The “Learning by Doing” Approach

Projects play an increasingly important role throughout your bachelor’s program, through concrete and diverse case studies in political science:

BLOCK 1:

Observing political actors and their 2.0 communication
- How do political actors position themselves in print, broadcast, and digital media?
- An exercise in observation, identification, and description that you will carry out in your Block 1 Project, “Decoding Political Communication.”

BLOCK 2:

Explaining the evolution of public policies in our societies in transition
- How are our societies adapting in a changing world?
- Through qualitative field research, you will analyze and describe how public authorities and on-the-ground actors respond to the societal challenges of the 21st century: Module 2 Project “Policy-making in transforming societies.”

BLOCK 3:

Acting as stakeholders in negotiation simulations
- How can argumentation and negotiation be used to reach agreements?
- Your Module 3 Project “European integration: learning theories in negotiation role-plays” puts you at the heart of the action. You will play the role of negotiators from Member States in a “European trialogue” between the Council, the Commission, and the European Parliament.

International experience

Upon completing your bachelor’s degree, you have the opportunity to study abroad, particularly in France (University of Montpellier, Catholic University of Lille, etc.), the Netherlands (Maastricht University), the United States (Creighton University), Spain (University of Valencia, Loyola University Andalusia), Italy (University of the Sacred Heart-Milan, University of Salerno), or in Germany (University of Trier).

Support for Success

Succeeding in a year of university studies involves many challenges.

To help you overcome them, UNamur supports you in developing your academic, methodological, and interpersonal skills—with the help of many professionals.

Preparatory courses, personalized assistance…

Learn about the resources available for your training.

After a bachelor's degree: a master's degree

The Bachelor’s degree program in Political Science at UNamur provides access to master’s programs at all universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, such as the Master’s in Political Science (general track or international relations), the Master’s in Public Administration, or the Master’s in European Studies.

However, many students from the University of Namur choose to continue their studies at prestigious universities abroad (Sciences Po Paris, King’s College London, the University of Edinburgh, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), the University of Amsterdam, etc.).

Bachelier en sciences politiques - et après le bachelier

Cycle
Block 1
Block 2
Block 3

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Choice of course

International Relations Department

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
LHISB005	Historical introduction to the main non-European civilisations ("Arab-Muslim world - Sub-Saharan Africa" module)	45h th.
LHISB006	Historical introduction to the main non-European civilisations (India-China module)	45h th.
LHISB319	War and Strategy in Late Modern History	30h th.
EFASB359	International economic relations	30h th.

Democracies and Society Transitions stream

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
EPOLB216	New social and political conflicts	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB308	Theories of democracy and democratic innovations	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB309	Ecological governance	30h th. + 15h ex.

Political Science

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
EPICB160	Political Science	45h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB118	Introduction to diplomacy	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB260	History of political ideas	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB217	Democracies, Populisms and Extremism	30h th. + 15h ex.
LHISB204_Prêté	Belgian political structures and institutions in contemporary times	45h th.
EPOLB317	Public governance	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB362	International Relations Theories	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB364	Belgian and comparative policy issues	45h th. + 15h ex.

Law

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
ECGEB130	Foundations of law	45h th. + 15h ex.
DROIB102	Constitutional law	75h th. + 6h ex.
EPOLB315	History and law of international relations	30h th.
DROIB210	EU Institutional law	45h th.

Economy

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
ECGEB170	Economic facts and decisions	45h th. + 15h ex.
ECGEB270	Macroeconomics	45h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB304	Analysis of (inter)national economic discourse	30h th. + 15h ex.

Humanities

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
ECGEB140	Sociology	45h th. + 15h ex.
ECGEB121	Economic and social history	45h th. + 7.5h ex.
ECGEB120	Philosophy	45h th. + 15h ex.
EPICB141	Communication fundamentals and news analysis	30h th. + 30h ex.
ECGEB221	Psychology	30h th.
EPICB322	Anthropology	30h th. + 22.5h ex.

Methods

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
ECGEB110	Data Organization and Processing	30h th. + 15h ex.
ECGEB152	Statistics	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB214	Criticism of information sources	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPICB225	Statistics for the social sciences	15h th. + 30h ex.

Project

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
EPICB132	Project: Decoding political communication	37.5h th. + 30h ex.
EPOLB221	Research Project : Policy-making in transforming societies	75h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB322	Project : European Integration. Learning Theories in Negotiation Role-plays	60h th. + 50h ex.

Languages

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
ECDLB190	Anglais 1 (niveau B1+)	30h th.
ECDLB290	English 2 (level B1+ or higher)	30h th.
ECDLB390	English 3 (level B2)	30h th.

Spanish

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
ECDLB196	Spanish 1 (minimum level A2)	30h th.
ECDLB296	Español 2 (nivel B1 o superior)	30h th.
ECDLB396	Español 3 (nivel B1+ o superior)	30h th.

German

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
ECDLB192	German 1 (minimum level A2)	60h th.
ECDLB193	German 1 (A1+)	30h th.
ECDLB292	Deutsch 2 (Level B1)	30h th.
ECDLB392	Deutsch 3 (mindestens level B1+)	30h th.

Dutch

Course 1 - intermediate level

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
ECDLB191	Elementair Nederlands: basisgrammatica, -woordenschat en dagelijkse situaties	30h th.
ECDLB291	Mondelinge en schriftelijke communicatie in het alledaagse Nederlands	30h th.
ECDLB391	Mondelinge en schriftelijke communicatie op de werkvloer -B1	30h th.

Course 2 - advanced level

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
ECDLB181	Kritische benadering van socio-economische onderwerpen	30h th.
ECDLB281	De Vlaamse/Nederlandse bedrijfswereld - interculturaliteit	30h th.
ECDLB381	Bedrijfscommunicatie en sollicitatiegesprekken – B2	30h th.

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
UNAM0059	Religions, Society, and Politics	24h th.
UNAM0060	The philosophical question of God	24h th.
UNAM0061	Comparative religions	24h th.
UNAM0062	Science and religion: a history of controversies	24h th.
UNAM0063		30h th.

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
					1	2	3
	UNAM0057	Taking action for the planet (SGEO B316)		8h th. + 30h ex.

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
MMEDB360	One Health	15h th.
UNAM0064	Environmental philosophy	20h th.
UNAM0065	Thinking in systems	26h th.
UNAM0043	Global change and the Anthropocene	24h th.
UNAM0047	Law, sustainable development and transition	24h th.
UNAM0055	JEDDT	18h th. + 16h ex.
UNAM0055_Part 1	JEDDT	14h th.

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
					1	2	3
	UNAM0066	UNIVERSEH offer

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
UNAM0048	Artificial intelligence: challenges and opportunities	24h th.
UNAM0049	Science for all : Introduction to popular science	24h th.
UNAM0054	DigiComp 2.2 - Getting to grips with the digital world in my studies and beyond	16h th.

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
UNAM0067	Critical thinking and intellectual self-defense	30h th.
UNAM0068	Gender and racial bias. How to identify, reflect on, and avoid it?	30h th.

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
					1	2	3
	UNAM0069	Ethics in human-animal relations		30h th. + 20h ex.

Left to read

Code	Name	Th.+Ex.	Credits/Block
			1	2	3
UNAM0052	MOOC “Aim for success – become a super student”	2h th.
UNAM0041	MOOC "Aim for success - become a super student".	2h th.
UNAM0056		12h th. + 5h ex.
UNAM0034	Public risk management and emergency management	20h th.

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Political Science

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
EPICB160	Political Science	5	45h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB118	Introduction to diplomacy	5		30h th. + 15h ex.

Law

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECGEB130	Foundations of law		5	45h th. + 15h ex.

Economy

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECGEB170	Economic facts and decisions		5	45h th. + 15h ex.

Humanities

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
ECGEB140	Sociology	5		45h th. + 15h ex.
ECGEB121	Economic and social history	5		45h th. + 7.5h ex.
ECGEB120	Philosophy	5		45h th. + 15h ex.
EPICB141	Communication fundamentals and news analysis	5	30h th. + 30h ex.

Methods

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
ECGEB110	Data Organization and Processing	4	30h th. + 15h ex.
ECGEB152	Statistics	5	30h th. + 15h ex.

Project

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	EPICB132	Project: Decoding political communication		5		37.5h th. + 30h ex.

Languages

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB190	Anglais 1 (niveau B1+)		3	10h th.	20h th.

Spanish

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB196	Spanish 1 (minimum level A2)		3	15h th.	15h th.

German

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
ECDLB192	German 1 (minimum level A2)	3	30h th.	30h th.
ECDLB193	German 1 (A1+)	3	15h th.	15h th.

Dutch

Course 1 - intermediate level

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB191	Elementair Nederlands: basisgrammatica, -woordenschat en dagelijkse situaties		3	15h th.	15h th.

Course 2 - advanced level

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB181	Kritische benadering van socio-economische onderwerpen		3	15h th.	15h th.

Collapse all

Uncollapse all

Choice of course

International Relations Department

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
LHISB005	Historical introduction to the main non-European civilisations ("Arab-Muslim world - Sub-Saharan Africa" module)	5	22.5h th.	22.5h th.
LHISB006	Historical introduction to the main non-European civilisations (India-China module)	5	22.5h th.	22.5h th.

Democracies and Society Transitions stream

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	EPOLB216	New social and political conflicts		5		30h th. + 15h ex.

Political Science

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
EPOLB260	History of political ideas	4		30h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB217	Democracies, Populisms and Extremism	5	30h th. + 15h ex.
LHISB204_Prêté	Belgian political structures and institutions in contemporary times	5		45h th.

Law

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	DROIB102	Constitutional law		5	38h th. + 3h ex.	37h th. + 3h ex.

Economy

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECGEB270	Macroeconomics		5	45h th. + 15h ex.

Humanities

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECGEB221	Psychology		3		30h th.

Methods

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
EPOLB214	Criticism of information sources	5	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPICB225	Statistics for the social sciences	4	15h th. + 30h ex.

Project

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	EPOLB221	Research Project : Policy-making in transforming societies		10	45h th. + 7h ex.	30h th. + 8h ex.

Languages

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB290	English 2 (level B1+ or higher)		3	30h th.

Spanish

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB296	Español 2 (nivel B1 o superior)		3	15h th.	15h th.

German

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB292	Deutsch 2 (Level B1)		3	15h th.	15h th.

Dutch

Course 1 - intermediate level

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB291	Mondelinge en schriftelijke communicatie in het alledaagse Nederlands		3	15h th.	15h th.

Course 2 - advanced level

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB281	De Vlaamse/Nederlandse bedrijfswereld - interculturaliteit		3	15h th.	15h th.

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
MMEDB360	One Health	3		15h th.
UNAM0064	Environmental philosophy	3	20h th.
UNAM0065	Thinking in systems	3		26h th.
UNAM0043	Global change and the Anthropocene	3	24h th.
UNAM0047	Law, sustainable development and transition	3	24h th.
UNAM0055	JEDDT	3	12h th. + 5h ex.	6h th. + 11h ex.
UNAM0055_Part 1	JEDDT	1	14h th.

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	UNAM0066	UNIVERSEH offer		3

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
UNAM0048	Artificial intelligence: challenges and opportunities	3		24h th.
UNAM0049	Science for all : Introduction to popular science	3	12h th.	12h th.
UNAM0054	DigiComp 2.2 - Getting to grips with the digital world in my studies and beyond	3		16h th.

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
UNAM0067	Critical thinking and intellectual self-defense	3	30h th.
UNAM0068	Gender and racial bias. How to identify, reflect on, and avoid it?	3		30h th.

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	UNAM0069	Ethics in human-animal relations		3	30h th. + 20h ex.

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
UNAM0052	MOOC “Aim for success – become a super student”	3		2h th.
UNAM0041	MOOC "Aim for success - become a super student".	3	2h th.
UNAM0056		3	12h th. + 5h ex.
UNAM0034	Public risk management and emergency management	3		20h th.

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Uncollapse all

Choice of course

International Relations Department

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
LHISB319	War and Strategy in Late Modern History	5	30h th.
EFASB359	International economic relations	5		30h th.

Democracies and Society Transitions stream

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
EPOLB308	Theories of democracy and democratic innovations	5	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB309	Ecological governance	5		30h th. + 15h ex.

Political Science

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
EPOLB317	Public governance	5	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB362	International Relations Theories	5	30h th. + 15h ex.
EPOLB364	Belgian and comparative policy issues	5		45h th. + 15h ex.

Law

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
EPOLB315	History and law of international relations	3		30h th.
DROIB210	EU Institutional law	5	45h th.

Economy

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	EPOLB304	Analysis of (inter)national economic discourse		4		30h th. + 15h ex.

Humanities

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	EPICB322	Anthropology		4		30h th. + 22.5h ex.

Project

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	EPOLB322	Project : European Integration. Learning Theories in Negotiation Role-plays		10	30h th. + 20h ex.	30h th. + 30h ex.

Languages

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB390	English 3 (level B2)		3	30h th.

Spanish

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB396	Español 3 (nivel B1+ o superior)		3	15h th.	15h th.

German

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB392	Deutsch 3 (mindestens level B1+)		3	15h th.	15h th.

Dutch

Course 1 - intermediate level

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB391	Mondelinge en schriftelijke communicatie op de werkvloer -B1		3	15h th.	15h th.

Course 2 - advanced level

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	ECDLB381	Bedrijfscommunicatie en sollicitatiegesprekken – B2		3	15h th.	15h th.

Left to read

Code	Name	Credits	Hours/Quarter
			1	2
UNAM0059	Religions, Society, and Politics	3	24h th.
UNAM0060	The philosophical question of God	3	24h th.
UNAM0061	Comparative religions	3		24h th.
UNAM0062	Science and religion: a history of controversies	3		24h th.
UNAM0063		3		30h th.

Left to read

	Code	Name	Staff	Credits	Hours/Quarter
					1	2
	UNAM0057	Taking action for the planet (SGEO B316)		3	4h th. + 15h ex.	4h th. + 15h ex.

Essential professions for the major challenges of tomorrow

Essential professions for tomorrow's major challenges

Power, Authority, and Decision-Making

As political scientists, you have a deep understanding of the principles that shape society.

As experts in understanding the mechanisms of power and political, economic, and social life, you unravel the secrets and challenges of public action at the local, regional, national, and international levels.

The history of democracy, liberalism, and nationalism, along with your knowledge of economics, law, history, and philosophy, enable you to take a critical look at today’s society. This unique ability to bring different perspectives together sets you apart and places you among the best-prepared individuals to understand and shape the world in which we live.

Political Life

Graduates actively participate in political life within ministerial offices, political parties, labor unions, and parliamentary groups. They follow debates and prepare in-depth briefs on specific issues for elected officials.

National and International Public Administration

Regardless of the level of government (federal, EU, regional, provincial, or local), political scientists are qualified to manage day-to-day operations across all public services (health, interior, finance, education, foreign affairs, etc.).

Many graduates dream of working for an international organization (European Union, NATO, FAO, etc.). Competitive exams and national quotas limit job opportunities in this sector. Nevertheless, most of these institutions offer internships to recent graduates, which can, in some cases, increase the chances of securing a contract position there.

Nonprofit Sector

From neighborhood committees to development aid organizations in the broadest sense, there are many associations where political science graduates can serve the public good. They perform research, decision-making, or management roles.

Other Sectors

Political scientists can work in the media or become spokespersons for a political organization, provided, of course, that they demonstrate specific personal skills or even undergo additional training. Large private companies (banks, consulting firms, etc.) value the international outlook of certain political scientists, whom they entrust with assignments where international connections are now crucial.

Key Players in Society

Capable of using legal, sociological, political, and economic knowledge to construct a coherent narrative on a given subject, political scientists have a wide range of professional opportunities. When securing a first job, in addition to mastery of analytical methods (qualitative and quantitative), language proficiency and a strong track record of engagement—particularly in the nonprofit sector—will often be decisive.

“Architects” of public policy

Political science students share a strong sense of the public good, both at the local level and from a global perspective. It is precisely to encourage this openness to the world that UNamur offers students in this program the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus exchange starting in the third semester of their bachelor’s degree.

Bringing about social change requires an understanding of its most intricate workings. By the end of their program, political scientists have a thorough grasp of how Belgian and/or international institutions function, as well as the economics and management of public affairs. They are prepared to develop action plans that are both realistic and mindful of constraints, in response to increasingly complex societal issues.

A degree in political science also develops the ability to communicate in French and a foreign language. Political scientists must be able to explain what they do and rigorously defend the results of their work.