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The Degree in Political Science offers tools for policy analysis and knowledge of political science, public policy and complementary scientific areas.
The Political Science course at Iscte offers solid theoretical (curricular units of political theories, comparing political systems, political parties, electoral systems and behaviour, state and public administration, etc.) and methodological (research laboratories, research methods and techniques, statistics and data analysis) training, as well as training in complementary scientific areas (history, law, economics, etc.).
Politics is a human activity that integrates all other spheres of life. It is impossible to understand today's world without understanding political phenomena. A graduate in this subject will have acquired: extensive knowledge of political phenomena, including why some people vote while others abstain; explanations for political regime changes or how to evaluate a public policy; well-developed oral and written exposition skills and argumentative reasoning; and a fairly advanced knowledge of data analysis.
Graduating from Iscte offers a competitive qualification, as Iscte is a very prestigious university both in Portugal and abroad.
2026/2027
The Degree in Political Science is three years long and confers 180 ECTS credits. Each course is worth 6 ECTS. The first two years of the Degree – which contains a total of 19 Curricular Units – are equal for all students*.
The first year of the degree aims to provide students with the basis for an in-depth study of Political Science, both from the theoretical and the methodological and data analysis point of view, whereas in the 2nd year the plan study aims to deepen those basis. Interdisciplinarity is introduced in the 2nd semester of the 1st year.
The 3rd year is one of specialization, hence students have to choose between the Political Science and the Public Policies branches. Each of the branches has its own five specific Curricular Units, but there are also three common core courses - see Study Plan below. In this year, each student also freely chooses two optional Curricular Units, one of which may be Internship in Political Science. The latter course bridges the gap between university and labour market.
* In addition to these common core Curricular Units, in the first semester of the first year, the students also take three courses of Transferable Skills worth 2 ECTS each.
Offer in English language
Some Curricular Units are taught both in Portuguese and in English, being up to the student to make the option he/she prefers. To take a course in English gives an added value to the student's CV, besides allowing a deeper knowledge of the language.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Descriptive Data Analysis for the Social Sciences Common Branch | 1 | 6.0 |
| Introduction to Excel Optional Courses > Transversal Skills > Conditional | 1 | 2.0 |
| Introduction to Political Science Common Branch | 1 | 6.0 |
| Political Institutions Common Branch | 1 | 6.0 |
| Political Theory: Classical and Modern Authors Common Branch | 1 | 6.0 |
| Study Methods and Techniques Optional Courses > Transversal Skills > Conditional | 1 | 2.0 |
| Writing Scientific and Technical Texts | 1 | 2.0 |
| Contemporary Political History Common Branch | 2 | 6.0 |
| Extensive Research Methods Common Branch | 2 | 6.0 |
| Inferential Data Analysis for the Social Sciences Common Branch | 2 | 6.0 |
| Introduction to Economy Common Branch | 2 | 6.0 |
| Political Theory: Contemporary Authors Common Branch | 2 | 6.0 |
Recommended elective
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing Political Systems Common Branch | 1 | 6.0 |
| Intensive Research Methods Common Branch | 1 | 6.0 |
| Multivariate Data Analysis for the Social Sciences I Common Branch | 1 | 6.0 |
| Political History of Contemporary Portugal Common Branch | 1 | 6.0 |
| Political Parties and Interest Groups Common Branch | 1 | 6.0 |
| Constitutional and Administrative Law Common Branch | 2 | 6.0 |
| Electoral Systems and Behaviour Common Branch | 2 | 6.0 |
| European Institutions and Policies Common Branch | 2 | 6.0 |
| Laboratory: Comparative Politics Common Branch | 2 | 6.0 |
| Multivariate Data Analysis for the Social Sciences II Common Branch | 2 | 6.0 |
Recommended elective
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship and Political Culture Specialization - Political Science | 1 | 6.0 |
| Laboratory: Research Project in Political Science Common Branch | 1 | 6.0 |
| Modernity and the Social Question Specialization - Public Policy | 1 | 6.0 |
| Planning Methodologies Specialization - Public Policy | 1 | 6.0 |
| Political Economy and Globalization Specialization - Political Science | 1 | 6.0 |
| State and Public Policy Specialization - Political Science | 1 | 6.0 |
| State and Public Policy Specialization - Public Policy | 1 | 6.0 |
| Administration Sciences Specialization - Public Policy | 2 | 6.0 |
| Evaluation Methodologies Specialization - Public Policy | 2 | 6.0 |
| Internship in Political Science Specialization - Political Science > Optional Courses - 3rd Year, 2st Semester | 2 | 6.0 |
| Internship in Political Science Specialization - Public Policy > Optional Courses - 3rd Year, 2st Semester | 2 | 6.0 |
| Laboratory: Research Report in Political Science Common Branch | 2 | 6.0 |
| Political Sphere and Public Opinion Specialization - Political Science | 2 | 6.0 |
| Politics and Internacional Relations Specialization - Political Science | 2 | 6.0 |
| Social Movements and Protest Specialization - Political Science | 2 | 6.0 |
| Society and Social Policy Specialization - Public Policy | 2 | 6.0 |
Recommended elective
To train graduates who:
2025/2026
A national candidate (or equivalent) is considered to be the one who:
A national or equivalent candidate competes for higher education through the National Competition for Access – National Call, managed entirely by the Directorate General for Higher Education (DGES). See here. That is, the application is not submitted or analyzed by Iscte, but by DGES.
1 Apart from the spouse, the unmarried partner is also eligible if accompanied by documentary evidence. | 2 Children over the age of 21 who remain dependent on the Portuguese/EU/EEA citizen or his/her spouse are also eligible. | 3 Children who live with the Portuguese/EU/EEA citizen or his/her spouse are also eligible.
| Entrance examinations minimum score | Minimum application score | Formula for calculating the application score |
|---|---|---|
| 95 | 100 | Secondary school average 50% + Entrance examination average 50% |
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | 697.00 € |
| Year 2 | 697.00 € |
| Year 3 | 697.00 € |
An international candidate is considered to be one who:
An international candidate wishing to apply for an Iscte programme competes through a Special Competition, managed by Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon. In other words, the application is presented and analyzed by the Iscte, through the Candidature Analysis Commission of the undergraduate programme for which the candidate has applied.
International candidates who meet the respective screening and selection criteria available for consultation here (see under ranking and admission criteria), may apply for this Special Contest.
National international candidates from China should also consult this page.
International candidates who are nationals of Brazil should also consult this page.
The application is online, on our Fénix academic management platform.
To learn more about the application process, and to move forward with yours, please consult this page.
The enrolment and registration of candidates who have applied for the programme is subject to the payment of the registration fee.
The tuition applied to international students is available on the programme presentation page. The tuition fees regulations are mandatory to read and available here.
| Round | Start Date | End Date | Vacancies | Application fee | Reservation fee outside EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st round | Licenciatura/Undergraduate - International Student | 2025-12-15 09:30 | 2026-01-14 17:00 | 4 | 70.00 € | 750.00 € |
| 2nd round | Licenciatura/Undergraduate - International Student | 2026-01-15 09:30 | 2026-02-25 17:00 | 70.00 € | 750.00 € | |
| 3rd round | Licenciatura/Undergraduate - Estudante Internacional | 2026-02-26 09:30 | 2026-04-06 17:00 | 70.00 € | 750.00 € | |
| 4th round | Licenciatura/Undergraduate - Estudante Internacional | 2026-04-07 09:30 | 2026-05-13 17:00 | 70.00 € | 750.00 € | |
| 5th round | Licenciatura/Undergraduate - Estudante Internacional | 2026-05-14 09:30 | 2026-06-24 17:00 | 70.00 € | 750.00 € | |
| Inscrição a provas | 2026-04-15 09:30 | 2026-05-13 17:00 | € | 750.00 € | |
| Inscrição a provas | 2026-04-15 09:30 | 2026-05-13 17:00 | € | 750.00 € | |
| Inscrição a provas | 2026-04-15 09:30 | 2026-05-13 17:00 | € | 750.00 € |
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 1st Year | 5500.00 € |
| 2nd Year | 5500.00 € |
| 3rd Year | 5500.00 € |
See the previous tab "International Candidate".
The application to this competition follows a previous stage of registration in the M23 tests, which are mandatory at Iscte, typically in July. Candidates who meet all the following conditions can apply for these tests:
Learn more here (Webpage in Portuguese).
The Special Competition for Holders of Double Certification Courses of Secondary Level and Specialized Artistic Courses is intended for candidates who meet all the following conditions:
This special contest is intended for candidates who meet all the following conditions:
Learn more here (Webpage in Portuguese).
This special contest is intended for candidates who meet all the following conditions:
Learn more here (Webpage in Portuguese)
If you are unsure about your candidates profile, please fill in the contact form.
The Degree in Political Science offers the following career prospects:
2023-2024
Labour market integration survey