Political Science (Dual Degree) University of Lucerne

Overview

The Dual Master’s Degree in Political Science (Dual Degree) provides you with different accounts and experiences of this discipline. It deepens your skills and knowledge in political science and widens your horizon inasmuch as you are being exposed to different contexts and approaches.As a student who is interested in politics and political science, you will not only delve into research on two different federal political systems – Switzerland and Canada – but also with European and North American approaches of conducting research in political science.

You will be registered at the University of Lucerne and will study one semester in Lucerne before moving to Ottawa for half a year; after that you will return to Switzerland for your third semester. In the final semester you will write your master’s thesis – wherever you wish – supervised by a professor at Carleton University and one at the University of Lucerne.

Benefits

• Students get to know two distinct academic cultures.
• Students benefit from all courses offered by two political science departments.
• Upon completion of their studies, students receive both a Swiss AND a Canadian Master's degree.
• Students registered at the University of Lucerne only pay tuition fees in Switzerland, even during the time they’re studying in Ottawa.

• Despite being different in size, Switzerland and Canada share many characteristics, such as federalism and multi-lingualism. This generates many opportunities for mutual learning. While studying overseas, students from Lucerne find themselves in the centre of Canadian politics – in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada.

Career Path

Pursuing the Dual Master’s Degree programme in Lucerne and in Ottawa allows you to get familiar with two different academic environments and two approaches to research in political science in Europe as well as North America. 

This, together with the fact that all courses are taught in English – the “lingua franca” of the (social) sciences – makes the programme especially suitable for students who may be considering  pursuing a scientific career. 

It is the perfect stepping-stone for conducting a PhD in political science.