Bachelier en sciences politiques

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. 

Sciences politique études

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! 

#A-E-Learning

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
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Essential professions for the major challenges of tomorrow

Métiers des sciences politiques

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.

Sciences politiques études

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.