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’ll learn to master the fundamentals of the discipline’s four major areas: political sociology, the 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 enhanced 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 communicate fluently both orally and in writing and would like to do so in other languages. 

Teaching Methods

Classes, practice sessions, project coaching, meetings with industry professionals… every effort is made to ensure a thorough understanding of the concepts and the development of practical skills. 

Sciences politique études

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

Throughout your program, you’ll 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, and group discussion sessions… 

During seminars and numerous practical assignments, you will meet leaders of international institutions, Belgian politicians, and representatives of civil society. Thanks to their experiences, you’ll gain a fresh perspective on the pillars of political science and 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 to real-world scenarios.  

 Just like real policy experts, you’ll 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 and your team present to a panel. 

To boost your soft skills in foreign-language communication, your language instructors provide coaching. 

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? 
    • This involves observing, identifying, and describing these phenomena as part of your Block 1 Project, “Decoding Political Communication.” 

BLOCK 2: 

  • Explaining the Evolution of Public Policy in Our Societies in Transition 
    • How are our societies adapting to a changing world? 
    • Through a qualitative field study, 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.” 

IN BLOCK 3: 

  • Acting as Stakeholders in Negotiation Simulations 
    • How can you use argumentation and negotiation to reach agreements? 
    • Your Module 3 Project, “European integration: learning theories in negotiation role-plays,” puts you right in the thick of the action. You’ll take on the roles of negotiators from member states in a “European trilogue” 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…), the Netherlands (Maastricht University), the United States (Creighton University), Spain (University of Valencia, Loyola University Andalusia), Italy (Sacro Cuore University of Milan, University of Salerno), or in Germany (University of Trier).

Support for Success

Succeeding in a year of college involves many challenges. 

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

Preparatory courses, individualized assistance…

Learn about the resources available for your training.

After the bachelor's degree: the 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

Contacts

Faculty of Economics, Management, and Communication, Sciences Po

Rempart de la Vierge, 8 • B-5000 NAMUR

Department of Social, Political, and Communication Sciences Office

Tel.: +32 (0) 81 72 48 11
secretariat.scpo@unamur.be

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Essential Careers 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 policy 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 integrate different perspectives 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 caucuses. They follow debates and prepare in-depth reports on specific issues for elected officials. 

National and International Public Administration 

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

Many graduates dream of working for an international organization (the European Union, NATO, FAO, etc.). National competitive exams and hiring quotas limit employment opportunities in this sector. Nevertheless, most of these institutions offer internships to recent graduates, which can, in some cases, increase their 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 nonprofit organizations where political science graduates can serve the public interest. They hold positions in research, decision-making, or management. 

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 have 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 

Able to draw on legal, sociological, political, and economic knowledge to construct a coherent narrative on a given topic, political scientists have a wide range of professional opportunities. When it comes to landing their first job, in addition to proficiency in analytical methods (qualitative and quantitative), language skills and a strong track record of engagement—particularly in the nonprofit sector—will often be decisive factors. 

“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. In fact, to encourage this openness to the world, UNamur offers students in this program the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus exchange beginning in the third semester of their bachelor’s degree. 

Bringing about social change requires an understanding of its most intricate workings. Upon completion of their studies, political scientists have a thorough understanding 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 problems. 

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