If you think that by studying a Political Sciences degree you will become a politician, you’re not far from the truth!
A Master's degrees in Political Sciences can help you hold a seat in Parliament, but it also offers you a wide range of other opportunities when it comes to career options.
Why choose a Political Sciences degree?
Bachelors and Masters in Political Sciences analyse the fundamental problems in human society, such as world peace, economic crisis, globalisation, international trade, and more.
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A Political Sciences Master's programme will help you better understand how governments operate and interact, the impact of government policies on economic stability and growth, and how laws affect social and political change.
Politics influences every aspect of our lives and contributes to the wellbeing of a nation, including education, employment, healthcare, and housing.
Here are a few universities we recommend for Political Science studies:
- University of Leeds, the UK
- Radboud University, the Netherlands
- University of Cologne, Germany
- Central European University (CEU), Austria
- Aarhus University, Denmark
Now, let's look at some of the most popular Political Science jobs, job responsibilities and salaries:
Lobbyist – 87,400 USD/year
- Talk with politicians and try to influence governmental decisions that benefit your clients
- Conduct research to understand the legislation and regulations
- Discuss lobbying strategies with clients and put them into practice
Political Campaign Manager – 60,400 USD/year
- Develop and coordinate promotional campaigns for political parties and politicians
- Manage budgets and decide which activities need more financial support
- Experiment with new campaign strategies and technologies and evaluate their impact
Policy Analyst – 67,600 USD/year
- Monitor and evaluate policies and legislations to determine their positive and negative impacts
- Analyse data and identify trends that can be used to support or stop the implementation of policies
- Prepare policy clarification documents and reports for clients
Read Juniar's story, who studied a Political Science degree abroad.
Market Research Analyst – 57,500 USD/year
- Analyse markets and determine the sales potential of products or services
- Oversee the progress of research projects and overcome obstacles
- Analyse results and create detailed reports for clients
International Business Development Manager – 96,800 USD/year
- Develop and manage the implementation of individual business plans for each country
- Train and help other employees develop their business development knowledge and skills
- Analyse market trends and share insights with product development teams
Not sure about Political Science studies? Check out Masters in International Business.
Legislative Assistant – 48,000 USD/year
- Administrative tasks: answer phone calls and emails, organise files, etc.
- Monitor the advancement of policies through the legislative process
- Attend meetings, events, and document what is discussed
Legislative Analyst – 55,600 USD/year
- Help legislators with administrative and fiscal tasks
- Monitor legislation and fiscal issues that can affect your employer
- Create reports that highlight the potential impact of legislative changes
Paralegal – 47,700 USD/year
- Administrative tasks: billing, writing letters, organising files, organise meetings and calendars, etc.
- Write first drafts and proofread documents
- Write reports, conduct legal research
Want to expand your reach? Check out Masters in International Law.
Public Relations (PR) Specialist – 58,300 USD/year
- Create promotional materials and share them on communication media to promote your client(s)
- Offer answers to official questions or delegate a spokesperson to do it
- Plan, organise and evaluate press conferences and other similar events
Journalist – 40,500 USD/year
- Collect information about news and events
- Collaborate with an editor and create new content
- Write, edit, and review stories
Editor – 51,500 USD/year
- Manage the content creation process, assign tasks, evaluate progress
- Offer suggestions, assess ideas, check the accuracy of facts, numbers, and other data
- Proofread and edit content written by other authors
Check out international Masters in Journalism abroad.
Pass on your knowledge and pursue a career in Political Education
Graduating a degree in Political Sciences can give you the necessary preparation to pursue a career in Education. With a teaching certification and a degree in Political Science, you can share your knowledge and present the benefits and versatility one can enjoy thanks to studying Political Science.
A Bachelor's degree may qualify you to teach elementary school level Social Studies. If you have a Master's degree, you should be able to apply for a teaching position at a higher grade level. To be able to work at university-level as a researcher or professor, you will need a PhD in Political Science.
What is the highest paying job in Political Science?
Based on the popular careers we’ve listed above, it seems that being a lobbyist or working in international business management pays better. But the average salaries will vary greatly depending on factors like:
- The country in which you work
- The organisation or political party/person for whom you work
- Your skills, experience, and negotiation skills
- The importance of the campaign or tasks you are responsible for
Instead of focusing on the highest paying job, we recommend exploring your options and creating a career that allows you to do something meaningful and engaging.
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B.A. or B.Sc. in Political Science – which is better?
Most universities offer undergraduate Political Science programmes as Bachelors of Arts. That’s because Political Science is more related to Liberal Arts, rather than STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines.
Both B.A. and B.Sc. degrees will help you develop your Political Science knowledge. The differences between the two degree types can be more or less significant, depending on each university. Usually, B.Sc. degrees in Political Science include more courses on subjects like Mathematics and Statistics. This will help you develop your analytical skills and research abilities.
Keep in mind that universities and colleges are responsible for naming degrees. Sometimes, a B.Sc. and a B.A. in Political Science might have very similar courses, despite the different names. Check the curriculum of your study programme before applying to make sure you’ll choose the degree that suits you best.
Can you become a lawyer with a Political Science degree?
To become a lawyer in the United States, you need a postgraduate Law degree, usually referred to as a Juris Doctor. One of the admission requirements for JD programmes is having a Bachelor’s in any discipline. Therefore, a Bachelor’s in Political Science can help you get into law school, but it will not allow you to practise law.
In the UK, we encounter a similar situation. The traditional way to become a lawyer is to study a law degree (LLB). If you have undergraduate studies in another subject – Political Science, in our case – you need to take the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) conversion course, which usually takes one year to complete.
You’ll also need further Law studies depending on whether you want to become a solicitor or a barrister. You can find more information about becoming a lawyer in the UK on the Bellerbys College official website.
If you’re going to study in a different country, you should check the usual steps required to become a lawyer there. Law career paths can vary greatly, and there is no one size fits all formula.
Can I do an MBA degree after graduating a Bachelor’s in Political Science?
It depends.
MBA programmes require that candidates have an undergraduate degree, but it doesn’t have to be in a specific subject. Therefore, a Bachelor’s in Political Science will do just fine.
However, the admission requirements for many (but not all) MBA programmes include at least 2-3 years of work experience in the business world. If you’re a fresh Political Science graduate, you won’t be able to apply.
But you can find universities and colleges where work experience isn’t an admission criterion. It will be up to you to determine whether those business schools match your budget and academic expectations.
Political Sciences degrees provide diverse career options
As you can see, careers in Political Sciences are very versatile and provide numerous transferable skills that a lot of employers are looking for. The job opportunities for Political Sciences graduates aren’t limited to the list above, as you can find other careers you can pursue.
Other popular jobs in Political Sciences include political scientist, state legislator, community service manager, city administrator, overseas diplomat, political analyst, consumer advocate, and many others.
You can also pave the path to a career in this field with an online Master's in Political Science.