Political Science (Research): Institutional Analysis

General Info

Aims and Objectives

The Leiden Research Master’s Programme in Political Science: Institutional Analysis aims at providing students with a thorough grounding in the literature on political institutions and a rigorous training in the methodological skills that are necessary to conduct research in this field. Students acquire this knowledge and these skills not only by being taught, but also by gaining hands-on experience with the way in which a broad research interest is transformed into a theoretically informed puzzle with concrete hypotheses, how a research method is chosen that is appropriate for the hypotheses that are to be tested, what problems can be encountered in data collection and analysis, how the data can be interpreted to test the hypotheses, and how the results can be presented effectively.

The research master’s programme is based on the research programme of the Department of Political Science entitled ‘The Institutions of Politics: Design, Workings, Implications’. As a result, the research master’s programme has both a focus on the study of political institutions and a strong emphasis on research methods (including statistics).

The Political Science Research Master programme totals 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) points. Students are expected to earn approximately 30 ECTS points per semester and 15 ECTS per block. All courses take 5 ECTS, the thesis 15 ECTS. One credit point equals 28 hours of study, including lectures, reading, writing papers, and preparing for tests and examinations.
The Department expects the highest scholarly effort and achievement from students. Students’ academic work will be evaluated per assignment and per course. This includes both oral and written assignments. Timely completion of degree requirements is expected.

Cohort 2010-2012 (First Year)

This information is subject to change. Please check the Political Science website regularly before the start of the new academic year.

This is the first year programme for students who will start the Research Master programme in September 2010.

Cohort 2009-2011 (Second Year)

This information is subject to change. Please check the Political Science website regularly before the start of the new academic year.

This is the second year programme for students who started the Research Master programme in September 2009.