Master's Programme in International Administration and Global Governance

The overall aim of the programme is to provide advanced knowledge and analytical skills relevant to International Administration and Global Governance, an interdisciplinary field that seeks to develop an understanding of the contemporary and historical development of international issues and policies, as well as the complex interrelations between domestic and international, intergovernmental and nongovernmental actors. The programme equips students with the knowledge and skills required for both professional careers in and doctoral studies related to international administration and global governance.

International administration encompasses both activities within international organizations and local or national governments, as well as organizations that seek to influence or collaborate with international organizations. Research shows that work in international administration and international organizations differs significantly from work at the national level and in domestic organizations. The programme explores the structure of the international system and equips students with the analytical skills to assess the international as well as local level consequences of international politics, and to formulate strategies for working effectively in the international arena. Particular emphasis is placed on independent work, critical assessment of research and problem-solving ability.

Eligible for the programme is the one who has:

• A Bachelor's degree of 180 credits or equivalent.
• At least 60 credits in social science discipline(s), or equivalent.
• English proficiency, equivalent of English 6 or English level 2, or equivalent. 

Any other entry requirements are documented in the respective course syllabus.

This programme leads to a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in International Administration and Global Governance (Filosofie masterexamen med huvudområdet Internationell administration och global samhällsstyrning).

Every student takes 30 credits compulsory core courses, 15-30 credits semi-elective in-depth courses, 15 credits semi-elective research methods course, and 30 credits compulsory master’s thesis in the main field of studies. There is also the possibility to do 0-30 credits elective courses and/or 0-30 credits internship.

The programme is a full-time study programme.

For more information about each course, see the course syllabus.

Programme overview

Semester 1 (core courses)

Module 1

AG2110 Theoretical and Historical Perspectives on Global Governance, 15 credits

Module 2

AG2120 International Administration and Policy, 15 credits

Semester 2

Module 1

SK2212 The Quality of Governmen in a Comparative Perspective, 15 credits (semi-elective in-depth course*)

or

AG2440 Internship***, 15 credits

Module 2

Elective course**, 15 credits

or

AG2440 Internship***, 15 credits

or module 1 and 2

AG2450 Internship***, 30 credits

or

Studies abroad, 30 credits

Semester 3 

Module 1

SK2211 The Performance of Democracies*, 15 credits (semi-elective in-depth course*)

or

EU2210 European Environment and Energy*, 15 credits (semi-elective in-depth course*)

or

EU2215 Europe in the World*, 15 credits (semi-elective in-depth course*)

or

Elective course**, 15 credits

or

AG2440 Internship***, 15 credits

Module 2 (method course)

SF2323 Applied qualitative research methods, problems and design, 15 credits

or

SF2324 Introduction to applied research design and quantitative research methods for social scientists, 15 credits

or

SK2301 Advanced Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences, 15 credits

Semester 4 (Thesis course)

AG2500 Master’s Thesis for IAGG, 30 credits

*Students are required to take at least one semi-elective in-depth course during the programme.

**Students may choose from a designated list (see the Degree Description). Exceptions require written approval from the Director of Studies.

***Students may complete a 15 credit internship in either semester 2 or 3, or a 30 credit internship in semester 2, but not both. The student may also choose not to do an internship.

IAGG Double Degree- Konstanz University

Entry requirements

Eligible for the programme is the one who has

• A Bachelor’s degree of 180 credits or equivalent.

• At least 60 credits in social science discipline(s), or equivalent.

• English proficiency, equivalent of English 6 or English level 2, or equivalent.

Students admitted to the double degree programme via the University of Konstanz fulfill English language proficiency requirement at the University of Gothenburg after completing the first year in Konstanz.

Any other entry requirements are documented in the respective course syllabus.

Higher education qualification and main field of study 

A student who has successfully completed the programme is, upon requst, awarded the Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in International Administration and Global Governance from the University of Gothenburg and a Master of Arts in Politics and Public Administration from the University of Konstanz.

Content and structure

The Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg and the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz have agreed on a double degree collaboration at the Master´s level. The first year of study takes place in Konstanz and the second year in Gothenburg, in accordance with the programme syllabus and course syllabi of the respective parties.

Within the main field of study, each student completes 37 credits of compulsory core courses, 7 credits of elective core courses, 14 credits of elective in-depth courses, 18 credits of compulsory methods courses and a 30-credits compulsory master thesis. In addition to the main field of study, each student completes 7 credits of elective core courses and 7 credits of elective in-depth courses.

The programme is a full time programme.

For more information about each course, see the course syllabus.

Program overview Double Degree with University of Konstanz

Semseter 1 at the University in Konstanz

Research design I, 9 credits (Method course)

and

Basic seminar International Administration and Conflict Management, 7 credits (core course)

Basic seminar Comparative Politics and Policy Analysis, 7 credits (core course)

or

Basic seminar International Relations and European Integration, 7 credits (core course)

and

Elective core course within the mail field of study International Administration and Conflict Management, 7 credits

Semester 2 at the University of Konstanz

Research design II, 9 credits (Method course)

and

Elective in-depth course within the mail field of study International Administration and Conflict Management, 7 credits

and

Elective in-depth course in another field of study*, 7 credits

Semester 3 at the University of Gothenburg

AG2110 Theoretical and Historical Perspectives on Global Governance, 15 credits (core course)

AG2120 International Administration and Policy, 15 credits (core course)

Semester 4 at the University of Gothenburg

AG2500 Master’s Thesis for IAGG, 30 credits (Thesis course)

*The fields of study include: Comparative Politics, Policy analysis, European Integration, International relations, and Management and Public administration.

Other

• With the regards to the objectives, intended learning outcomes, and guaranteed admission, the same provisions applyas in the regular programme syllabus above.

• The programme is taught in English.

• The study programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable *Policy för kvalitetssäkring och kvalitetsutveckling av utbildning vid Göteborgs universitet (*Policy for the Quality Assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg) (GU 2022/2839).

• For courses given offered in Konstanz, the University of Konstanz is responsible for quality assurance.

After completing the programme the student should achieve the applicable outcomes for the relevant education cycle contained in the Swedish Higher Education Act (Swedish Code of Statutes – SFS 1992:1434) together with the relevant higher education qualification contained in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (Swedish Code of Statutes – SFS 1993:100, Qualifications Ordinance, Appendix 2).

Local outcomes

Furthermore, the student should achieve the following outcomes:

Knowledge and understanding

• Have in-depth knowledge of the main issues adressed at the international level and an understanding of how these issues are interrelated.

Competence and skills

• Demonstrate advanced ability to evaluate and apply insights and findings from multiple field of study in order to analytically elucidate political and societal issues of international significance.

• Demonstrate advanced ability to independently produce and present research reports.

Judgement and approach

• Demonstrate advanced ability to analyze international issues and research topics from different perspectives.

• Demonstrate advanced ability to critically evaluate theories and hypothesis using established research methods.

None

• The programme is taught in English.

• The optional internship may take place at a location other than Gothenburg.

• Students will be required to pay their own expenses related to the optional internship.

• The study programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Policy for the Quality Assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg (Policy för kvalitetssäkring och kvalitetsutveckling av utbildning vid Göteborgs universitet) (GU2022/2839).

Students admitted to the programme have general guaranteed admission to all compulsory courses within the programme provided that they 1) apply according to assigned administrative procedures, and 2) have completed the prerequisite courses. Students admitted to the programme have limited guaranteed admission to the semi-elective and elective courses within the programme under the same conditions as above.