Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

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The Bachelor of Arts (BA) program in Political Science addresses a wide range of topics, covering the entire field of Political Science and its subdisciplines.

Students in our Bachelor study programs intensively train their methodological skills and analytical abilities which allow them to critically engage with the subjects of Political Science. They learn about the various schools of theory as well as concrete applications of theory to specific topics and case studies. Through cross-listing, related social science disciplines such as economics, sociology, communication, as well as aspects of philosophy, law, history, or area studies like Asian studies and more are integrated into the curriculum. We encourage internships and study abroad programs. Both can be integrated into your degree and credited toward your Major (120 ECTS) or Minor (60 ECTS) requirements.

Completing a Minor in Political Science (60 ECTS) at the IPZ qualifies you for admission to a subsequent IPZ master’s program in Political Science (Major (90 ECTS) or Mono (120 ECTS)) without any additional requirements.

The Major in Political Science (120 ECTS) typically takes six semesters to complete within the regular study duration. The program can only be studied in combination with a Minor. The official start of the academic year is always the fall semester. In the case of an internal program transfer within UZH or if you plan to transfer from another university to UZH for the spring semester, please contact the Academic Advising Office. Part-time studies are generally possible without additional formalities, although it may extend the duration of your studies.

Study Structure

The structure of the study program is defined in the legal framework, particularly in the appendix to the study regulation and the module catalogue. Additionally, we gladly provide a graphical overview of the study program structure (PDF, 67 KB) and a sample curriculum.

Study Contents

1^st Year – Introduction

In the first year of study, you will complete the module group "Introduction to Political Science". This group comprises the introductory modules "Political Systems and Theories I" (fall semester) and "Political Systems and Theories II" (spring semester), the methodology modules "Introduction to Research Logic" (fall semester) and "Introduction to Statistics" (spring semester), as well as the module "Introduction to Swiss Politics" (fall semester). For more details on the content of each module, please refer to the respective module descriptions in the module catalogue.

2^nd and 3^rd Year – Deepening

In the second and third year, you must earn 24 ECTS in the module group "Advanced Political Science”. This corresponds to eight out of twelve freely selectable, theory-driven lectures on subfields of political science.

Building on these eight selected advanced lectures, you will complete four seminars from the module group "Thematic Application Political Science". These modules also account for 24 ECTS. Each module offers several seminars, each with a maximum of 25 participants, which deepen the theoretical knowledge gained in the corresponding lecture through concrete and practice-oriented research topics. It is only possible to complete one seminar per module.

Additionally, in the second year, you will complete the two modules in the "Methods" module group: "Advanced Statistics" (fall semester) and "Introduction to Qualitative Methods" (spring semester).

3^rd Year - Specialization and Bachelor's Thesis 

Specializations typically take place in the fall semester and are listed in the course catalogue in the module group "Final Modules". In a group of up to 15 students, you will prepare for your bachelor’s thesis. Specialization can be thematically assigned to one or more subfields of political science. It is your own responsibility to assess your prior knowledge from lectures and seminars and to prioritize the specializations when booking modules. Unfortunately, a place in the desired specialization cannot be guaranteed due to the scarcity of places.

The module “Bachelor’s Thesis” typically takes place in the spring semester and builds upon the specialization. Your bachelor's thesis is based on the project within the specialization. Usually, it is supervised by the lecturer of the specialization.

In order to facilitate compatibility with an exchange semester and part-time study, two specializations with a maximum of 30 places in total have been offered in spring semesters since 2024. The corresponding Bachelor's theses courses follow in the autumn semester.

You can find further information about the bachelor's thesis on the website of the Dean’s Office of the PhF.

Expert advice and additional information on library resources can be found on the webpages of the University Library.

Additional Curricular Modules 

To complete the Major in Political Science, you must obtain an additional nine ECTS from the entire Political Science program. These can be additional advanced lectures or seminars, or modules from the module group "Other Curricular Modules". You can freely choose and complete these ECTS during the course of your studies. It is also possible to have credits recognized from modules taken during an exchange program or an internship.

Degree Completion

The Dean's Office of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (PhF) is responsible for the degree completion process. Therefore, you can find all the information about the completion process on the PhF's website. If you have any questions about planning your studies, we are available to assist you.

Course offerering

The current course offerings can be found in the UZH course catalogue

The Minor in Political Science (60 ECTS) typically takes four semesters to complete within the regular study duration. This program can only be pursued in combination with a Major. The official start of the academic year is always the fall semester. In the case of an internal program transfer within UZH or if you plan to transfer from another university to UZH for the spring semester, please contact the Academic Advising Office. Part-time studies are generally possible without additional formalities, although it may extend the duration of your studies.

Study Structure

The structure of the study program is defined in the legal framework, particularly in the appendix to the study regulation and the module catalogue. Additionally, we gladly provide a graphical overview of the study structure (PDF, 56 KB) and a sample curriculum.

Study Contents

1^st Year – Introduction

In the first year of study, you will complete the module group "Introduction to Political Science". This group comprises the introductory modules "Political Systems and Theories I" (fall semester) and "Political Systems and Theories II" (spring semester), the methodology modules "Introduction to Research Logic" (fall semester) and "Introduction to Statistics" (spring semester), as well as the module "Introduction to Swiss Politics" (fall semester). For more details on the content of each module, please refer to the respective module descriptions in the  module catalogue.

2^nd and 3^rd Year – Deepening

In the second and third year, you must earn nine ECTS in the module group "Advanced Political Science”. This corresponds to three out of twelve freely selectable, theory-driven lectures on subfields of political science.

Building on one of these advanced lectures, you will complete one seminar from the module group "Thematic Application Political Science". This module account for six ECTS.  Each module offers several seminars, each with a maximum of 25 participants, which deepen the theoretical knowledge gained in the corresponding lecture through concrete and practice-oriented research topics. It is only possible to complete one seminar per module.

Additionally, in the second year, you will complete the two modules in the "Methods" module group: "Advanced Statistics" (fall semester) and "Introduction to Qualitative Methods" (spring semester).

Additional Curricular Modules 

To complete the Minor in Political Science, you must obtain an additional three ECTS from the entire Political Science program. These can be additional advanced lectures or seminars, or one or more modules from the module group "Other Curricular Modules". You can freely choose and complete these ECTS during the course of your studies.

Degree completion

The Dean's Office of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (PhF) is responsible for the degree completion process. Therefore, you can find all the information about the completion process on the PhF's website. If you have any questions about planning your studies, we are available to assist you.

Course Offerings of the Program

The current course offerings can be found in the UZH course catalogue.

In our study programmes, a comprehensive methods training is a key priority. It is guided by a shared vision of methods education (PDF, 94 KB). Rather than teaching techniques in isolation, methods training at IPZ strives to achieve the following:

BA Political Science: Methods Curriculum Overview

The BA methods curriculum consists of five modules: four compulsory lecture-format courses and one applied seminar module. The four lectures follow a deliberate sequence, moving from foundational quantitative and descriptive methods to advanced modelling, before introducing qualitative approaches and returning to fundamental elements of both quantitative and qualitative research design. The applied seminar module allows students to deepen their skills through substantively engaging, hands-on projects.

615-017 Introduction to Methods and Statistics – 1st Semester

This course marks students' first encounter with empirical political science. The central challenge is to demonstrate, from the very beginning, that methods are indispensable tools for answering the political questions students care about. To reduce the risk of students experiencing methods as an abstract hurdle, the course keeps substantive questions front and centre throughout.

The course is structured around five core empirical tasks: description, population inference, statistical modelling, prediction and causal inference. In the first block, students learn to work with datasets, understand concepts such as operationalization and measurement, and produce visualizations and descriptive statistics using R. The second block introduces sampling and probability theory, culminating in hypothesis testing and the research cycle. The third block offers a first encounter with regression analysis — not as a technical exercise, but as a way of translating theoretical ideas into empirical tests. The final block introduces causal thinking through case study designs, laying the groundwork for the following semester.

Pedagogically, weekly in-class tests and exercises provide continuous formative feedback. Live polling (KlickerUZH) encourages active participation, and an AI-supported system guides students to additional materials based on their individual performance — a key mechanism for personalised, self-directed learning.

615-018  Intermediate Methods and Statistics – 2nd Semester

Building on the first course, this module deepens students' quantitative toolkit with an explicit emphasis on practical application. Each lecture session is motivated by a substantive political science question — such as the effect of gun legislation on violence, or whether pre-stamped voting envelopes increase turnout — and the new method introduced that week is used to answer it.

The course opens with the counterfactual model of causality and the logic of randomised experiments, before moving into linear regression across several weeks: first as a descriptive and predictive tool, then with increasingly sophisticated model specifications including interactions and dummy variables. The course then turns to causal inference from observational data, covering panel models, fixed effects, and difference-in-differences designs. Uncertainty and hypothesis testing are introduced later in the semester — intentionally, so that students first develop a solid intuitive grasp of models. The course concludes with binary outcome models (logit and probit).

Tutorial sessions take place weekly and are structured around hands-on exercises with real data. Two dedicated repetition weeks — one at mid-semester and one at the end — allow students to consolidate learning and identify gaps. Students attend tutorials in small groups, facilitating peer learning and individual support. In addition, students receive weekly exercises (KlickerUZH) allowing to monitor their conceptual understanding of the new topics.

615-019  Advanced Methods and Statistics – 3rd Semester

The third quantitative course operates at the intersection of methodological sophistication and independent research. It has four substantive foci: advanced regression models for different data structures, latent variable measurement, survey and experimental design, and machine learning.

Students learn to model categorical and count outcomes, handle time series and panel data, and work with multilevel structures — all areas where political science data frequently falls short of the standard assumptions of OLS regression. A separate module introduces exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, giving students tools for constructing and validating measurement instruments. A block on experimental design and survey construction connects data analysis to data collection, completing the research cycle. Finally, students learn about machine learning techniques and their potential uses in political science.

The defining pedagogical feature of this course is a semester-long group project in which teams of five students conduct an original empirical study from start to finish: formulating a research question, reviewing the literature, developing hypotheses, collecting and analysing data, and presenting their findings as a poster. This project gives concrete shape to the research cycle and builds the collaborative skills students will need for thesis work. Individual assignments and a strong emphasis on reproducible workflows using R and Quarto further reinforce professional research practice.

615-021  Research Design and Qualitative Methods – 4th Semester

This course provides students with an overview about different types and key elements of research designs in political science and introduces students to the logic, tools, and practice of qualitative research. By emphasizing the commonalities and differences as well as the strengths and weaknesses of different quantitative and qualitative approaches, the course aims at widening students’ ability to choose and implement the appropriate empirical method for a research question at hand.

The course begins by revisiting the fundamentals of research logic and design and providing an overview about the large variety of quantitative and qualitative research designs. It then covers theory-building, case selection, conceptualization, operationalization, and data collection techniques (interviews, documents, fieldwork) and discusses that they form the backbone to both types of research. In the last part, the course introduces qualitative methods of analysis, focusing on single and comparative case studies, process tracing, and QCA It concludes with mixed-methods designs that explicitly connect qualitative and quantitative approaches.

This course links theoretical discussion with hands-on advice and research experience. Students gain confidence in conducting qualitative research by carrying out, transcribing and analysing a qualitative interview. Tutorial sessions are closely integrated with the lecture and serve to clarify open questions, explore practical applications of the methods discussed in the lecture and to practice their use. The course thus enables students to plan and carry out their own research projects and to understand the value of both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

615-036  Applied Methods (Seminars) – 4th-6th Semester

The Applied Methods module consists of a rotating selection of advanced research seminars. Unlike the compulsory lecture courses, these seminars allow students to choose a topic that matches their substantive interests while simultaneously deepening their methodological toolkit in a focused and applied setting. Current examples include Tackling Big Questions Using Social Data Science and Data Science for Peace and Development.

These seminars share a common pedagogical logic: students encounter a substantive societal challenge (loneliness, political polarization, conflict, human rights) and learn the quantitative or qualitative methods needed to study it empirically. Depending on the seminar, students work with panel regression, matching techniques, agent-based models, social network analysis, machine learning, or causal inference — always in direct service of understanding a real-world phenomenon.

Assessment formats in these seminars are deliberately innovative. One seminar asks students to submit short 30-second video presentations throughout the semester alongside data analysis assignments, building communication skills alongside analytical ones. Another asks students to write an original data-driven research paper with a presentation component. Both formats prioritise genuine engagement with empirical evidence and foster the kind of independent, self-directed learning that prepares students for thesis work and beyond.

Methods Training in the BA Curriculum as a Whole

Taken together, the five modules described above form a coherent and progressive pathway towards methods proficiency. Students move from basic data literacy and descriptive analysis to causal inference and advanced modelling, while simultaneously developing qualitative skills and experiencing what it means to design, conduct, and communicate original research. At every stage, the methods curriculum in our BA programme is guided by the conviction that learning methods means learning to ask better questions — and to answer them with rigour, care, and intellectual honesty.

The IPZ methods curriculum is embedded in the entire political science study programme in such a way that students have numerous and diverse opportunities throughout their studies to continuously consolidate and expand the methodological skills they have acquired in specific methods courses, to apply these skills, and to recognize the practical and, where applicable, future professional relevance of these skills early on their studies. To ensure this, applied seminars integrate methodological issues with substantive theoretical discussions. These discussions can touch various phases of the research process (research question, state of research, theory, research design, data collection, data description, and data analysis). In this way, method-intensive research-based learning is practiced throughout the entire course of study.

The curriculum as a whole reflects a deliberate choice to invest in both breadth and depth: breadth in covering quantitative and qualitative traditions, and a range of methods; depth in ensuring students develop genuine competence and confidence rather than superficial familiarity. The BA methods curriculum equips students not only with technical skills but also with the conceptual understanding and intellectual confidence to engage in empirical political science. The result is a methods education that does not end at graduation — but that prepares students to continue learning and applying methods throughout their academic and professional lives.

To assist in planning your studies, you can use the study planning tables for the Major (120 ECTS) (XLSX, 27 KB) as well as the Minor (60 ECTS) (XLSX, 27 KB). These tables are excellent supplements to the “Study Progress and Graduation” App in the Student Portal, which displays your completed achievements and enrolled modules. With this, you can plan your entire academic journey up to graduation in real-time. 

The official start of the academic year is the fall semester. In case of an internal program transfer within UZH or if you plan to transfer from another university to UZH for the spring semester, please contact the Academic Advising Office. Part-time studies are generally possible without additional formalities, although it may extend the duration of your studies.

The UZH’s Student Administration Office and Admissions Office are responsible for questions regarding application and admission. You can find all the relevant information on the linked pages. The IPZ is not authorized to provide binding information on this matter.

Application deadlines and all other important dates for starting your studies in the fall and spring semester can also be found on the Student Administration Office's website.

The exams in fall the term take place in the last 2 weeks of lectures (CW 50 & 51) as well as the main and repetition dates of the compulsory modules in early January and early February (CW 1 & 6). Current exam dates for the fall term.

The exams in the spring term take place in the last 2 weeks of lectures (CW 21/22) and for compulsory modules in mid-June and at the end of August (CW 25 & 35). Current exam dates for the spring term.

Mandatory modules are typically examined about two weeks after the end of the lecture period. The dates for reexamination are set 1-2 months later in the same semester.

Exams of lectures in the “Advanced Political Science” module group in the Bachelor program Political Science (Major and Minor) generally take place during the last session of the semester. A reexamination is only possible in the following year. There are no alternative dates.

When submitting written deliverables (term papers, bachelor's and master's theses, other types of work such as essays), please fill out and include the IPZ declaration of authenticity.

You can find all other organizational and technical information regarding examination details (registration, withdrawal, examination formats, tips and assistance, etc.) in our IPZ Exam Guide (PDF, 331 KB).

You can find all study regulations, course catalogues, sample curricula, as well as the appendices for the study regulation on the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. For general information about studying at the PhF, please refer to the Student Services pages of the faculty.

Explanation and definitions of terms used in political science

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