As global governance grows more complex and more interconnected, understanding how political systems work across borders matters more than it used to. Studying political science abroad means learning it at international scale — comparative governance, international relations, and the institutions that sit between states.
Key Benefits of Studying Political Science Abroad
- Insight into genuinely different political systems, taught in a multicultural cohort — governance and diplomacy look different from inside another country
- Universities with working relationships to the United Nations, the European Union and regional policy think tanks
- Critical thinking, research and policymaking skills that transfer across sectors and borders
- Political simulations, policy analysis labs and fieldwork that connect theory to practice
- A foundation for public service, diplomacy, international NGOs and advocacy work
- Access to specialisms including international development, international law, environmental politics and human rights
Types of Courses
BA in Political Science
- Duration
- 3–4 years
- Suitable For
- School leavers wanting a foundation in politics, governance and theory
BA in Global Politics, or Government & International Relations
- Duration
- 3–4 years
- Suitable For
- Students drawn to international relations, comparative politics and global governance
MA in International Relations
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Suitable For
- Graduates aiming at diplomacy, foreign policy and global affairs
MSc in Public Policy
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Suitable For
- Careers in government, policy research or the NGO sector
MA in Political Theory
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Suitable For
- Students with a strong interest in philosophy, ideology and ethics
MSc in Security Studies or Geopolitics
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Suitable For
- Defence, conflict studies and international security
Master's in Human Rights or Public Administration
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Suitable For
- Advocacy, civil service and multilateral institutions
Many universities run interdisciplinary or dual degrees pairing political science with economics, sociology, law or development studies.
Best Countries to Study Political Science
Weigh academic reputation against something more practical: which political systems you get to observe first-hand, and which networks you can reach from there.
USA
- Focus Area
- Public policy, international affairs, global governance and think tank research
- Post-Study Work Rights
- 12 months of OPT; up to 3 years where a programme carries a STEM designation
UK
- Focus Area
- Political theory, governance, international relations and diplomacy
- Post-Study Work Rights
- Graduate Route: 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026, 18 months from 1 January 2027; PhD graduates keep 3 years
Canada
- Focus Area
- Multicultural policy, peace and conflict studies, global development
- Post-Study Work Rights
- PGWP of up to 3 years
Netherlands
- Focus Area
- EU governance, international law and diplomacy
- Post-Study Work Rights
- One-year orientation year permit to find work after graduating
Australia
- Focus Area
- Asia-Pacific politics, democratic systems and foreign policy
- Post-Study Work Rights
- 2–4 years, by qualification and region
Top Universities
Harvard University Cambridge, USA
- QS 2025 — Politics
- #1
University of Oxford Oxford, UK
- QS 2025 — Politics
- #2
Princeton University Princeton, USA
- QS 2025 — Politics
- #3
Sciences Po Paris, France
- QS 2025 — Politics
- #4
Stanford University Stanford, USA
- QS 2025 — Politics
- =#5
London School of Economics and Political Science London, UK
- QS 2025 — Politics
- =#5
University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK
- QS 2025 — Politics
- #7
Yale University New Haven, USA
- QS 2025 — Politics
- #8
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, USA
- QS 2025 — Politics
- #9
National University of Singapore Singapore
- QS 2025 — Politics
- #10
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate
- Eligibility
- 10+2 with a background in arts, humanities or social sciences
- Documents
- Academic transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT
Postgraduate
- Eligibility
- Bachelor's in political science, international relations, sociology, law or a related field
- Documents
- Undergraduate transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- 1–2 Letters of Recommendation
- CV
- IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT
Postgraduate programmes frequently add a writing sample or a subject-specific test — check each course page.
Tuition Fees and Living Costs
USA
- UG Fees (annual)
- US $18,000 – $62,000
- PG Fees (annual)
- US $19,000 – $68,000
- Living Cost for Visa
- US $12,000 – $24,000
UK
- UG Fees (annual)
- £14,000 – £33,500
- PG Fees (annual)
- £9,000 – £36,500
- Living Cost for Visa
- £1,570 a month in London
- £1,203 a month outside London
Canada
- UG Fees (annual)
- CA $20,000 – $50,000
- PG Fees (annual)
- CA $20,000 – $50,000
- Living Cost for Visa
- CA $23,448
Australia
- UG Fees (annual)
- AU $25,000 – $50,000
- PG Fees (annual)
- AU $35,000 – $60,000
- Living Cost for Visa
- AU $29,710
The UK, Canada and Australia figures are minimum amounts immigration requires you to evidence, not what you will actually spend.
Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships UK
- Eligibility
- An undergraduate degree, at least two years of post-graduation work experience, and a commitment to return home
- Coverage
- Full tuition, travel costs and a monthly stipend
Fulbright Programme USA
- Eligibility
- A US-equivalent undergraduate degree, strong English, around three years of work experience, and a commitment to return home
- Coverage
- Tuition, airfare, living allowance, visa support and health insurance
Erasmus+ EU
- Eligibility
- An EU-equivalent degree in the field, and not having resided in an EU member state for more than a limited period in the past 5 years
- Coverage
- Tuition, travel allowance and monthly stipend
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Canada
- Eligibility
- Nominated by a single Canadian institution, entering a first doctoral programme, with a high academic record
- Coverage
- CA $50,000 a year for up to 3 years
University scholarships All destinations
- Eligibility
- Merit or need-based, varying by institution
- Coverage
- Partial to full tuition waivers, sometimes with a stipend
Careers and Salaries
Graduates work across public, private and non-profit sectors. These are US ranges — note how wide they are, because seniority and organisation type matter more in this field than in most.
Diplomat / Foreign Service Officer
- Annual Salary (USA)
- US $58,000 – $164,000
- Sector
- Government and foreign affairs
Policy Analyst
- Annual Salary (USA)
- US $50,000 – $130,000
- Sector
- Think tanks and research institutes
Public Affairs Officer
- Annual Salary (USA)
- US $55,000 – $120,000
- Sector
- Government and media
NGO Consultant
- Annual Salary (USA)
- US $30,000 – $120,000
- Sector
- Non-governmental organisations
Urban and Regional Planner
- Annual Salary (USA)
- US $50,000 – $120,000
- Sector
- Government and real estate development
Entry-level roles and internships sit at the bottom of these ranges, and pay less than the equivalent private-sector job — which is the trade for the experience.
This degree rewards a clear plan more than most
The job title is contracting even though the skills are in demand. We will help you pick a specialism and a country that actually leads somewhere.
Related Reads
The role titled 'political scientist' is contracting, but the skills are not. Policy analysis, diplomacy, public affairs and planning all hire these graduates and are not declining. Choose the degree for those routes, not for the academic job title.
The UK and the Netherlands, for proximity to international institutions — LSE, Oxford and Sciences Po sit inside the networks that matter, and the Netherlands puts you next to EU governance and international law bodies.
For undergraduate entry, 10+2 in arts, humanities or social sciences. For postgraduate, a bachelor's in political science, international relations, sociology or law. Expect to submit a writing sample at master's level.
Frequently. PhD programmes in the US, Canada and Australia often waive tuition and pay a stipend, and Vanier in Canada is worth CA $50,000 a year for three years.
