Postgraduate Studies​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Department of Political Science

The Department of Political Science is a dynamic, research-driven unit with a focus on the political challenges which South Africa and the broader African continent must face in a globalising world. Through comprehensive research programmes, the department has developed expertise in a wide spectrum of international, African and domestic politics. Pressing issues such as poverty, development, globalisation and inequality are addressed at the under- and postgraduate levels. The department provides high-level theoretical and analytical training in a variety of subfields of Political Science, with particular focus on political risk analysis, public policy analysis, political behaviour and survey research, foreign policy analysis, global governance, and conflict and peace studies in Africa. Experts from practice and international universities are frequently involved in the presentation of modules.

In the programmes below, some of the modules can be followed at other universities as part of an international exchange opportunity.

AREAS OF SPECIALISATION INCLUDE -​

​international studies

The BAHons programme is offered full-time and consists of taught modules and a research assignment. Students undertake an intensive study of a number of selected focus areas in international studies. The following modules are offered:

• Research methodology
• International relations theory
• Southern African political economy
• Global political economy
• The political economy of development
• Gender and international relations
• Research assignment

The programme is aimed at training analysts with an in-depth understanding of South Africa's challenges within the context of the contemporary world order.

The MA programme is offered full-time and consists of taught modules and a thesis. Students undertake an advanced study of a number of focus areas in international studies. The following coursework modules are offered:

• Foreign policy analysis
• Conflict in Africa
  
• Political risk analysis
• Thesis

The programme is aimed at decision-makers in the public and private sectors who are confronted by and must develop strategies in a world which is subject to the dynamics of political, economic and technological globalisation.​

political Science

The BAHons programme is offered full-time, residentially and consists of taught modules and a research assignment. Students undertake an intensive study of a number of selected focus areas in political science. The following coursework modules are offered:

• Research methodology
• Statistical package for social scientists
• Contemporary South African politics
• Political behaviour
• The political economy of development
• Southern African political economy
• Research assignment

The programme is aimed at training political analysts with an in-depth understanding of the political processes and behaviour in South Africa with a comparative perspective.

The MA programme is offered full-time and consists of taught modules and a thesis. It is aimed at training analysts with an advanced understanding of policy and political risk analysis. Students undertake an advanced study of a number of focus areas in political science. The following coursework modules are offered:

• Policy analysis
  
• Political risk analysis
• Peace and conflict studies
• Thesis
  

The doctoral programme consists of research which culminates in the writing of a dissertation.

POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS​​