Intended Level of Study
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training Structure
School of Law and Political Science
Overview
Major in Comparative Politics
- Master's in Comparative Politics and Public Policy
Program Director: Laura MICHEL
The IDIL Master’s program in “Comparative Politics and Public Policy” is a selective master’s program specializing in political science that embraces an interdisciplinary approach. It focuses primarily on fields related to political sociology and public policy analysis.
Offered by the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the University of Montpellier, this master’s degree in political science (one of three offered by the university) is the only one in France with a specialization in “Comparative Politics.” In this regard, it emphasizes a comparative international perspective as a research approach, both in the profiles of students and faculty and in the use of English as the language of instruction.
Examples of course units:
- International Politics
- Political Sociology of Elites
- European Political Institutions
The Master’s program in “Comparative Politics and Public Policy” is a two-year Master’s program (120 ECTS as a single track within the “Comparative Politics” concentration) that offers an in-depth curriculum in political science, specializing in political sociology and public policy, with an international focus.
It prepares students for all careers requiring the ability to work intensively, master rigorous methods, engage in critical synthesis, develop solid and convincing arguments, and conduct advanced analysis—both in applied fields (careers in the public or private sector) and fundamental fields (research training). For students wishing to pursue doctoral studies (at the University of Montpellier or at other universities in France or abroad), this program is the preferred choice.
The languages of instruction are French and English.
Objectives
Upon completion of the program, Master’s degree holders will have developed the ability to handle intensive workloads, the capacity to synthesize information, proficiency in methods for analyzing complex situations, and knowledge of the political sphere and public policy.
Program
The program is organized into four semesters: two semesters of coursework in the first year of the master’s program (M1) (lectures and tutorials, shared with other master’s programs in political science) (except in cases of international exchange for students coming from the third-year political science program in Montpellier), one semester of research seminars (M2), and one semester dedicated to completing the M2 thesis (or internship).
Select a program
Master's in Comparative Politics and Public Policy - Comparative Politics and Public Policy - IDIL
- Master's in Comparative Politics and Public Policy - Comparative Politics and Public Policy
The Master’s program in “Comparative Politics and Public Policy” is a two-year Master’s program (120 ECTS as a single track within the “Comparative Politics” concentration) that offers an in-depth curriculum in political science, specializing in political sociology and public policy, with an international focus.
It prepares students for all careers requiring the ability to work intensively, master rigorous methods, engage in critical synthesis, develop solid and convincing arguments, and conduct advanced analysis—both in applied fields (careers in the public or private sector) and fundamental fields (research training). For students wishing to pursue doctoral studies (at the University of Montpellier or at other universities in France or abroad), this program is the preferred choice.
The languages of instruction are French and English.
EU NON-CORE TRAINING UNITS IDIL (ELECTIVE)
Choose 1 out of 10
Innovations in clinical biomarkers and biotechnologies for pers
2 creditsChallenges in Chemistry for Health and the Environment
2 creditsScientific Openness to Earth and Water Issues in a Global Context
2 creditsWhy Is Democracy Hard?
2 creditsDefusing Quantitative Nonsense
2 creditsPlant Health 2.0: A Global War
2 creditsOne Health and Eco-Epidemiology
2 creditsMediterranean Terrestrial Ecosystems
2 creditsThe Bionic Man
2 creditsBasics of Sustainable Management
2 credits20h
International Policy
3 creditsPublic Policy and Governance
3 creditsPersonal project: research project + English
10 creditsOptional
Choose 3 out of 4 course units
IDIL Cross-Functional Training Units
4 creditsEU Quantitative Studies
In-Lab
2 credits
Optional
Research internship / M1 research thesis
20 creditsSupplementary Course in Political Science
Research Context (Language)
Choose one of the following two options:
Comparative Politics (ST)
Environment and Health
2 creditsMultidisciplinary Team Project
10 creditsResearch Design: Epistemology and Comparison
2 creditsResearch Context: Languages + Institutions and Economics
2 creditsCurrent Research
8 creditsTransversal Units 2B IDIL
EU NON-CORE TRAINING UNITS IDIL (ELECTIVE)
Choose 1 out of 10
Innovations in clinical biomarkers and biotechnologies for pers
2 creditsChallenges in Chemistry for Health and the Environment
2 creditsScientific Openness to Earth and Water Issues in a Global Context
2 creditsWhy Is Democracy Hard?
2 creditsDefusing Quantitative Nonsense
2 creditsPlant Health 2.0: A Global War
2 creditsOne Health and Eco-Epidemiology
2 creditsMediterranean Terrestrial Ecosystems
2 creditsThe Bionic Man
2 creditsBasics of Sustainable Management
2 credits20h
Option 1
Choose one of the following two options:
Admission
Admission Requirements
Applications (pre-selection based on application materials, followed by interviews) are open to candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent foreign degree) in political science or a related field.
And then
Employment Placement
- Careers in politics and public decision-making in the broadest sense (private or public sector)
- Category A+/A civil service exams (national government / local governments)
- Higher education and research (in France or abroad)