Students will benefit from a multidisciplinary training at the highest level, providing the key skill-sets to understand and analyse complex dynamics associated with globalization and increased international interdependences.

Core modules will provide for the cutting-edge concepts and skills necessary to address key questions, extending from the dynamics of global geopolitics to the transformation of societies, from developments in international political economy to changing patterns of social inequalities. In the last three decades, globalization processes have been challenging the functioning of western societies across many domains from, inter alia, political participation and representation; welfare states’ structures and labour market regulation; citizenship’s rights and migration; to the risks of novel forms of discrimination and exclusion.

The interdependent nature of these challenges requires the training of professionals who can assess the extent to which globalization processes are affecting the functioning of contemporary politics and society. The GPS programme provides the foundations, substantively and methodologically, for such highly-qualified professionals.

GPS graduates will be prepared for different career paths, as professionals who can analyse the social, political and economic developments with a global scope, as well as the training for structuring medium to long-term strategic plans. 

GPS graduates will acquire knowledge and training for working in the field of applied research in social and political sciences; in national and international political institutions, and non-governmental organizations; in public, private and third sector organizations; in companies and organizations within the information sector, the cultural industry and the publishing market.

They will also be exceptionally well placed to engage in academic research and to participate in the leading PhD programmes in social and political sciences.

Application and admissions: free.

The programme is intended for top-level international students. Admission is based on academic excellence. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent; a strong interest and/or previous studies in political science, sociology or related subjects; a sound knowledge of spoken and written English.

The evaluation process will take into consideration the applicants’ prior academic record, their motivation and performance through an interview (see below). 

Academic record

Are eligible for admission:

• applicants who obtained their bachelor’s degrees from Italian Universities only if they hold a “laurea” degree belonging to any one of the “classi di laurea” (degree classes) listed below
• applicants who completed their undergraduate studies in foreign Universities if they hold a bachelor’s degree in political science, sociology, economics or other broadly related subjects (from history to philosophy,and so on), provided that their bachelor’s degree may be regarded as equivalent to one of the Italian “laurea” degrees listed below.

Degree classes - Classi di Laurea Filosofia (L-05); Lingue e Culture Moderne (L-11); Mediazione Linguistica (L-12); Scienze dei Servizi Giuridici (L-14); Scienze dell'Amministrazione dell'Organizzazione (L-16); Scienze dell'Economia e della Gestione Aziendale (L-18); Scienze della Comunicazione (L-20); Scienze Economiche (L-33); Scienze Politiche e delle Relazioni Internazionali (L-36); Scienze Sociali per la Cooperazione, lo Sviluppo e la Pace (L-37); Scienze del Servizio Sociale (L-39); Sociologia (L-40); Statistica (L-41); Storia (L-42).

Requirements

Eligible candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. They must have earned at least 9 ECTS credits or equivalent in statistics. The ECTS credit value of foreign applicants’ undergraduate studies will be assessed by the GPS admissions committee.
   • Applicants holding an Italian bachelor’s degree must have earned the required credits within the set of admissible “settori scientifico-disciplinari” (disciplinary scientific sectors): SECS-S/01 Statistica; SECS-S/03 Statistica economica o SECS-S/05 Statistica sociale;
   • Applicants who completed their undergraduate studies in foreign Universities should exhibit a comparable academic record or competence in statistics.
2. Non-native English speakers must be able to demonstrate their knowledge of English, either by showing they have at least one year of university studies at institutions where the language of instruction is English, or during the interview. The possessing of a IELTS or TOEFL will also be taken into account. At least a B2 level language knowledge of English is required.

Motivation letter When entering their application, applicants shall upload a letter where they explain their motivation for joining the programme. The personal statement is an opportunity to illustrate whether personal reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Interview Students meeting the minimum requirements are invited for an interview (in English) with the Admissions Committee, composed of members appointed by the Teaching Board. The interview, which can also be carried out remotely, is aimed at verifying candidates’ skills and as well as their knowledge of the English Language equivalent to the B2 level.

Deadlines Applicants, both foreign and Italian holding a bachelor’s degree or expecting to obtain it by December 31st, 2019, must apply for admission to the GPS programme according to deadlines listed below. Non EU Applicants from outside Italy holding a non-Italian bachelor’s degree or expecting to obtain it by December 31st, 2019, must submit a pre-application at the Italian Embassy of their own country.

The degree in Global Politics and Society offers the opportunity to study at several European universities, where students will be able to attend lectures and obtain credits for their degree.

Furthermore, GPS is part of a prestigious inter-university network: the network of European Masters in Labour Studies - EMLS. The other partners of the network are:

• Université catholique de Louvain,
• Universität Bremen, Universität Trier,
• University of Warwick,
• Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,
• Université Toulouse, University College Dublin,
• Università degli Studi di Firenze,
• University of Amsterdam,
• Instituto Universitario de Lisboa,
• National University of Political Studies and Public Administration of Romania,
• Univerza v Ljubljani.

Each partner has agreed to recognize the teaching and evaluation methods of partner institutions as well as the equivalence of their curricula. Students may attend a semester in one of the EMLS partner universities. Accordingly, any examination passed at any university in the network is fully and automatically recognized. 

Double degree

GPS students may also obtain a double degree, jointly recognized by the University of Milan and the University of Bremen, following a specific path, focused on welfare and employment matters, and attending the first year at University of Bremen.

Mandatory