Suggested Programs for Political Science Students
Studying political science abroad offers unique opportunities in areas like international relations and comparative politics. What better way to learn about international and comparative politics by going and living under a different political system while continuing to work on your political science major?!
There are few main program types that specifically fit political science students, many with internships. Here they are with suggested programs:
World rankings: QS World University Rankings for Politics & International Studies 2015 for institutions available through UCEAP
Political internship-focused programs
In the past, some students had to choose between a UCDC or UC Sacramento internship and study abroad. Why not consider both?! Here are a few programs for which political internships form a core component, and for academic credit:
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Scottish Parliament Internship, UC Center EdinburghA once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study the culture of another country from within its political governing body. Accelerate your knowledge and experience working directly with a member of Parliament. |
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Irish Parliament Internship, Institute of Public AdministrationInterested in enhancing your career in politics? This highly focused internship program gives you the unique opportunity to experience Irish politics and culture from within its governing body, the Irish Parliament. |
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Global Leadership Program (Multi-Site), Mexico City & SacramentoDistinctive multi-site leadership program focused on Latino and bi-national issues. Includes four-week Intensive Language Program to prepare for study at the top university in Mexico City followed by a quarter or semester of political science coursework and internship experience in California’s capital city. In-class and online coursework in Spanish and English alongside local students in Mexico and other UC students in Sacramento. |
Immersion/exchange programs
These programs are a good fit for MBE students who have reached the upper-division level in their major and ideal students are typically juniors and seniors. Many have completed an upper-division course or two in the major. GPA requirements for these programs fall in the 2.85-3.0 range.
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London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)The alma mater of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and ranked 4th in political science worldwide in 2015, the London School of Economics and Political Science is a great addition to any résumé and a wonderful experience. Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application (summer, year) |
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Australian National Univ.Ranked #7 in the 2015 QS world rankings for political science, ANU is a fantastic university in the Australian capital, Canberra. ANU offers the Australian National Internships Program for a research project and internship for academic credit alongside some regular university coursework. In the heart of Australia's biggest "college town," Univ. of Melbourne holds a #15 2015 worldwide ranking in business & management and #24 in economics. Students should find coursework in econometrics, marketing, and corporate finance among other areas. Special note: For the Australian National Univ., you will need to apply to the "Australian Universities" program and rank the Australian National Univ. as your top choice. |
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Yonsei Univ.With a #46 world 2015 ranking in political science, Yonsei is a great location for students to take a variety of political science courses in English or Korean. The semester and year are immersion/exchange programs and the summer is an international school option. Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application (summer, year) |
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Yonsei Univ.In the capital of one of the most technologically advanced societies in the world, Yonsei holds a #48 2015 worldwide ranking in business & management and top 100 ranking in economics. Find micro- and macroeconomics, econometrics, marketing, and corporate finance courses in English. |
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Fudan Univ.Seated in mainland China's economic capital, Shanghai, Fudan Univ. is a great new university with coursework in English and offerings in microeconomics, econometrics, marketing, corporate finances, and elective areas. With top 100 2015 rankings in economics and business & management, Fudan Univ. could be a great fit. |
International schools
These programs may be good alternatives for students who cannot meet 3.0+ GPA requirements for many of the programs above but still take advantage of great programs.
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Thammasat Univ.Thammasat Univ. presents one of the least expensive study abroad options with great course options in English in micro- and macroeconomics, econometrics, and marketing with internship opportunities. |
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International Summer School, Yonsei Univ.Yonsei Univ. offers one of the most popular summer study abroad programs with UCEAP. Take courses in English in micro- and macroeconomics, econometrics, marketing, and corporate finance, and great internship options. Korea also boasts one of the cheapest summer abroad options through UCEAP. |
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Univ. of CopenhagenThe Univ. of Copenhagen teaches courses in English and offers courses in areas like marketing, corporate finance, microeconomics, and others. Copenhagen also boasts optional internship opportunities. |
UC centers
These are either internship-focused programs or programs often with SSHA-area coursework with internships attached (either optionally or required).
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Rome Through the Ages (Fall) & Art, Food and Society (Spring); UC Center RomeUC Center Rome offers a pair of programs with some Italian and other SSHA-area coursework in English. The program boasts a large volume of internship openings for UC students typically in business-oriented, non-governmental, and educational organizations. Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application (fall, spring) |
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Semester in Mumbai with InternshipMumbai offers a unique opportunity to understand India—its complexities and richness, challenges and traditions, its current and potential contributions to our world—and then serve alongside those who are working toward India's future. The program includes a ten-week internship. Internship assignments correspond to student academic and career interests, whether in education, poverty reduction, energy, media or the environment. Examples of previous placements include housing and community development, health services, education, women’s and children's rights, sustainable design, and arts therapy. |
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Israel Institute of Technology, Technion/NeubauerDubbed the Silicon Valley of the Middle East, Haifa sits in the economic hotspot of Israel, also known as the "Startup Nation." Professional internships will target business, marketing, and occasionally overlap with engineering and the biomedical field. |
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Arts, Politics, Society & Space, UC Center LondonSimilar to the UC Center Rome programs, UC Center London focuses on SSHA-area coursework with option internship opportunities in London, the economic and political capital of the United Kingdom. Internship opportunities include marketing and public relations, business administration, event management, even museum studies. |
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International Christian Univ. with InternshipAt ICU, students take a regular spring term of courses available in English followed by a four-week internship in an area like marketing or ag business or a less business-oriented field like education or community development. |
2015 QS World University Rankings for Politics & International Studies Accessible with UCEAP
| Rank | Institution |
| 4 |
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE): |
| 5 | Sciences Po, France |
| 6 | University of Cambridge, UK |
| 7 | Australian National University, Australia |
| 14 | National University of Singapore (NUS) |
| 18 | Univ. of Tokyo, Japan (Graduate studies only) |
| 19 |
Freie Universität Berlin (Free Univ.), Germany: |
| 25 | Univ. of Sydney, Australia |
| 26 | Univ. of Hong Kong |
| 30 | Univ. of Copenhagen, Denmark |
| 32 | Peking Univ., China |
| 33 | McGill Univ., Canada |
| 33 | Trinity College Dublin, Ireland |
| 36 | King's College London, UK |
| 36 | Chinese Univ. of Hong Kong |
| 40 |
Fudan Univ., China: |
| 40 | Univ. of Melbourne, Australia |
| 42 | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Humboldt Univ.), Germany |
| 43 | Univ. of Edinburgh, UK |
| 45 | UCL (University College London), UK |
| 46 | Univ. of Warwick, UK |
| 47 |
Yonsei Univ., Korea: |
| 48 | Tsinghua Univ., China |
| 49 | Univ. of British Columbia, Canada |
| 50 | Keio Univ., Japan |
