Graduating as a specialist!
- In-depth study
- Choice of track
- Substance
- The Master's thesis
- Degree in the pocket, now what?
- Want to know more about the Master's programme in Political Science?
Elbrich Algra
Since 2009, the one-year Master's programme in Political Science has offered students the unique opportunity to specialise in one of five tracks: Comparative Politics, Dutch Politics, International Relations, Political Behaviour Communication and Political Philosophy. Three red-hot specialists who received their degrees on Friday 8 October tell us about their experiences here.
In-depth study
The three students are unanimous: specialisation in one of the five tracks offers an exceptional deepening of knowledge. According to Roeland Stolk, who opted for Dutch Politics, specialising provides students with the means to apply their knowledge creatively: “As a Political Scientist you cannot rely solely on general skills. This programme enables you to develop the in-depth expertise necessary to obtain maximum results from your studies.” Elbrich Algra, who chose the International Relations track, adds: “An additional advantage is that your future employers require no more than a glance on your résumé to understand what your interests are.”
Choice of track
Geordie Kooiman recalls how she experienced some difficulties in the Bachelor's programme when trying to grasp statistical methods. However, instead of being discouraged, she faced the challenge head-on by choosing the Political Behaviour and Communication track, in which understanding and conducting empirical research is a central theme. “I decided to tackle my weakness and enrolled in the track. It was definitely worth the effort: my understanding of methods and data analysis has improved substantially.”
Roeland and Elbrich had no second thoughts when they faced their choice of track. “From the very beginning of the Bachelor'programme and onwards, I’ve been fascinated by national politics,” states Roeland. “Moreover, the personal contact with lecturers in the subfield and the considerable freedom to apply my own insights I was granted were absolute selling points.”
Substance
In some courses, the curriculum was both ‘challenging and provocative’. In Geordie and Elbrich’s experience, the engagement of the lecturers was stimulating. In particular, Elbrich recalls the course ‘Humanitarian Intervention’, where political, ethical and juridical aspects were addressed. It inspired her to write a master's thesis on that topic. “The focus on certain topics also enhances the depth of discussion in the seminar courses,” Geordie stresses. The three alumni empasize that there is ample opportunity for personal interests within courses: “Most of the time, you choose the topics for your assignments yourself. At the end of the day it is up to students to learn as much as they can from what is offered. However, the intensive cooperation in small groups certainly facilitates that end.”
The Master's thesis
After they had written a ‘personal masterpiece’, as Roeland likes to call it, a highly prized degree awaited the three experts. Interestingly, the students have pleasant memories of the process of writing their thesis. In particular they indicate the great level of support they received from other students in the same track in addition to the personal guidance of the thesis supervisors. No sleepless nights were involved. Geordie did have her stressful moments, especially during the process of data collection, but nonetheless: “Those are the moments that taught me the most.”
Degree in the pocket, now what?
Two of the young Political Scientists have become serious study-addicts and have enrolled in a second Master's programme. Elbrich: “During the specialisation courses I became interested in the relation between international politics and international law. Therefore, I am currently doing a second Master's degree focusing on that topic.” Roeland opts for Public Administration instead, and is also an insteructor in some first-year courses in the Political Science Bachelor's programme.
What of Geordie? “Past summer, I hit the road for some serious travelling. Now that I'm back here, I hope to find a fabulous job soon!” With her newfound in-depth knowledge as an official expert on political behaviour and communication, that job is sure to find her in no time.
Want to know more about the Master's programme in Political Science?
Everything about the tracks and courses can be read on our master's website.