This department trains clear-headed analysts and practical policymakers — not pundits. We teach students to understand how power actually works, how decisions are made, and how institutions can be shaped or reformed to produce predictable results. Emphasis is on rigorous analysis, comparative perspective, and policy-relevant research. We value durable frameworks over fashionable theory: if an idea can’t survive scrutiny or produce measurable improvement in governance, it has no place in our syllabus.

Mission and outlook

The department’s mission is plain: produce graduates who can analyse political systems, craft realistic policy options, and operate effectively inside public institutions, NGOs, media, or international organisations. We insist on clarity of thought, evidence-based conclusions, and respect for institutional norms. Our approach is skeptical of easy narratives and demanding of empirical proof — students learn to separate rhetoric from reality.

Programmes offered

• Bachelor (B.A.) in Political Science — foundational knowledge in political theory, institutions, and comparative politics for entrants to public life or further study.

• Master in Public Policy & Political Analysis — advanced training in policy design, quantitative methods, governance reform, and strategic advice for future analysts and decision-makers.

• Executive Certificates / Short Courses — targeted modules for practitioners (policy evaluation, electoral management, lobbying ethics, diplomatic practice).

• Research & Doctoral Supervision — for scholars pursuing rigorous, policy-oriented research in governance, international relations, or political economy.

Core curriculum (representative)

Students progress from conceptual foundations to applied policy work. Core elements typically include:

• Political Theory & Ideas (from classical thinkers to modern governance theory)

• Comparative Politics (institutions, party systems, federalism vs. unitary states)

• International Relations & Geopolitics (foreign policy analysis, diplomacy, conflict studies)

• Public Policy Design & Evaluation (policy instruments, cost–benefit analysis, implementation)

• Political Economy (state-market relations, development policy, fiscal governance)

• Institutions of the EU and French Administrative Systems (law, regulation, EU governance)

• Electoral Systems & Political Behaviour (voting systems, campaigns, public opinion)

• Political Communication & Media (message framing, media systems, misinformation)

• Research Methods & Applied Statistics (survey methods, causal inference, programme evaluation)

• Governance, Corruption & Ethics (transparency, accountability, anti-corruption tools)

• Local Government & Decentralisation (municipal governance, public service delivery)

• Capstone: Policy Lab / Internship + Applied Research Project

Electives allow focus on security studies, human rights, development policy, migration, or comparative law.

Teaching approach and assessment

We combine rigorous lecture content with seminars, supervised research, and field-based projects. Teaching stresses argumentation grounded in evidence: students write policy memos, defend briefings, design measurable indicators, and present findings to panels of practitioners. Assessment privileges reproducible analysis — data-driven reports, defended theses, and graded internship deliverables — not impressionistic essays. We train students to produce work that a minister, agency director, or NGO programme manager can use tomorrow.

Practical training & partnerships

Practical exposure is required. The department maintains partnerships with government ministries, local councils, embassies, international organisations, think tanks, and reputable NGOs. Internships and policy labs place students inside decision-making environments where they draft briefs, evaluate programmes, or support campaign research. Simulations — Model UN, crisis simulations, negotiation workshops — teach tactics and process under pressure.

Faculty and resources

Faculty blend academic strength with professional experience: political scientists, policy analysts, former diplomats, senior civil servants, and campaign strategists. Instructors are expected to publish analytically sound work and maintain ties to practice so teaching stays relevant. Resources include a policy-research hub, access to public datasets and polling archives, a dedicated methods lab, and an in-house policy clinic that pairs students with external partners on real assignments.

Research, policy engagement and public service

Research is oriented toward impact: rigorous evaluations, comparative case studies, and practical policy briefs aimed at reform. The department regularly produces actionable reports used by local and national actors. Public seminars and advisory outputs target decision-makers; we prioritise work that reduces uncertainty and improves governance rather than academic showmanship.

Ethics, civic responsibility and academic integrity

Political practice affects people’s lives; ethical standards matter. The curriculum embeds norms of transparency, conflict-of-interest management, and respectful public engagement. Students train in ethical research, responsible communication, and the documentation of decision rationales so policies remain accountable and auditable.

Graduate outcomes and career paths

Graduates find roles across public administration, policy analysis, diplomacy, political consultancy, campaign management, journalism, international organisations, and NGOs. The department emphasises employability metrics: students leave with a portfolio of briefs, evaluated internships, and demonstrable analytic products that employers can vet. Alumni typically move into analyst posts, advisory roles, or continue into doctoral research.

International and comparative perspective

Understanding other systems is essential. The programme covers EU institutions, comparative constitutional arrangements, and global governance frameworks so graduates can operate in multinational settings or advise on cross-border policy. Special emphasis is placed on francophone political contexts and how European regulatory frameworks interact with global politics.

Admissions and candidate profile (summary)

Undergraduate applicants should demonstrate clear writing, analytical reasoning, and a willingness to engage with complex public problems. Postgraduate candidates benefit from prior coursework in social sciences or relevant professional experience; preference is given to applicants who show evidence of policy interest and analytical capacity. Language proficiency in French (and often English) is required for many tracks.

Quality assurance and continuous improvement

The department tracks outcomes: graduate placement, employer feedback, citation of department outputs in policymaking, and the measurable impact of student projects. An external advisory board of practitioners reviews curriculum relevance regularly; ineffective modules are revised or retired. Tradition is respected where it secures stable institutions; novelty is adopted only when it demonstrably improves governance or analysis.