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 undergraduate 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 with practical experience and from international universities are frequently involved in the presentation of modules.
Contact us
+27 21 808 2414
[email protected]
Physical address
6th Floor, Arts and Social Sciences Building
Corner of Merriman Avenue and Ryneveld Street
Stellenbosch
“We focus on the pressing political challenges facing South Africa and Africa in a globalising world.”
Undergraduate programme
BA International Studies
Postgraduate Programmes
The continuation of studies at the postgraduate level has, for all intents and purposes, become a necessity in order to ensure that students are optimally placed to compete in a competitive employment market. The department offers two postgraduate streams, one in Political Science and one in International Studies. Although the focus at the postgraduate level is, for a large part, an extension and deepening of theoretical understanding, the outcomes of our programmes also incorporate the acquisition of problem solving and analytical skills which are linked to empirical case-studies, and are contextualised in global, regional and local settings.
The following postgraduate programmes are offered by the Department:
Honours Programme
Masters Programme
Our Master’s degree focuses on independent research under expert supervision. You can explore topics related to political science or international studies & conduct fieldwork/participate in research projects.
