Degree in Political Science

The Degree in Political Science from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) teaches how politics works, how public decisions are made and how they affect society.

• Duration: four years, with a total of 240 credits.
• Center: Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Jurídicas, on the Campus de Getafe.
• Language: Spanish.
• Vice Dean of the degree: Gema María García Albacete.

What you study

The degree combines Political Science and Public Administration with Law, Economics, Sociology and research methods. This training allows you to analyze governments, institutions, elections and social problems, both national and international.

During the degree you learn to:

• Understand the main political theories and ideologies and recognize how they influence decisions.
• Research political phenomena through surveys, data, interviews and comparisons between countries or historical periods.
• Design, manage and evaluate public policies: identify a problem, propose measures and verify their results.
• Interpret public opinion, election results and legislative processes.
• Develop well-founded arguments, communicate ideas, negotiate and participate in conflict resolution.
• Understand how administrations and international organizations work, as well as their relationship with companies and social entities.

Internships and employment

The UC3M maintains agreements with more than 5,000 companies and institutions to facilitate internships and access to job boards.

According to the career placement study cited by the university, 95.5% of its graduates get a job related to their studies during the first year after graduating.

International exchanges

Students can study for one or several semesters at foreign universities through two programs:

Erasmus: allows you to study at European universities or do internships at companies in the European Union. It offers grants from the EU and the Ministry of Education.

Movilidad No Europea: allows you to study at universities in other countries with which UC3M has agreements. It offers grants from the university itself and Banco Santander.

Places are awarded through public calls, taking into account the academic record and the language level required by the destination institution.

Recommended profile

No prior specialized knowledge is required. You should be interested in political and social issues, curious to understand their causes, and willing to read, research, and debate with well-reasoned arguments. It is also helpful to follow current events and enjoy oral and written communication.

Career opportunities

This training prepares you to work in public administrations, consulting firms, companies, media outlets, ONG, foundations, and international cooperation organizations.

The main profiles are:

• Political analyst: studies public opinion, elections, and political actors; interprets data and helps design strategies and campaigns.
• Public administration officer or manager: takes part in managing services, coordinating programs, and improving how institutions work.
• Public policy analyst: examines social problems, proposes actions, and evaluates whether public programs meet their objectives.
• Advisor or consultant: guides institutions, parties, unions, companies, and social organizations; may also take part in cooperation and development projects.

Other areas of work include citizen participation, equal opportunities, survey analysis, corporate social responsibility, teaching, research, and diplomacy. Access to each position depends on its specific requirements, such as competitive exams, additional training, or experience.