World Politics (BA Major of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges)

The World Politics Major at Leiden University College The Hague examines the big ideas and the powerful forces – political, military, economic, social and cultural – that shape the world at every level, from the global to the local and everything in between. Political conflict is a key driver of many of these interactions and this can escalate into wars and insurgencies, but it can also produce better understanding and cooperation.

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Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges (BA/BSc)

The Major World Politics is part of the Bachelor's programme Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges at Leiden University College in The Hague. Students choose a Major at the end of their first year and their focus is largely on their Major in the second and third year of their studies.

Kai Hebel

Assistant Professor World Politics Major

''Particular attention is paid to how governments interact with each other, and how they interact with non-state actors, including multinational corporations, NGOs, protest movements, diasporas and terrorist networks.''

Ilyaas Sherally

Alumnus World Politics

''The excellent balance between theory and practice deepened my understanding of the intricate processes and debates that shape the contemporary world. It taught me how to tackle pressing issues with an interdisciplinary approach and from diverse perspectives.''

''I chose World Politics because I realised that by understanding the political, I would also be able to make better sense of other fields such as the economic, social, cultural and environmental. The excellent balance between theory and practice deepened my understanding of the intricate processes and debates that shape the contemporary world. It taught me how to tackle pressing issues with an interdisciplinary approach and from diverse perspectives; today, I can make use of these skills in my work as a diplomat at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.’’

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The World Politics Major

In the World Politics Major, we examine interactions between states, and between states and non-state actors, including multinational corporations, nongovernmental organisations, civil societies, diasporas and armed groups. We start from the assumption that political inter-group conflict is a key driver of these interactions, which can escalate into armed conflicts, or can be managed, resolved and transformed through improved forms of cooperation

In this major, we examine questions such as....

Why do governments go to war? How can this be prevented?
How is foreign policy made and how does diplomacy work in practice?
Will the rise of China be peaceful?
What lessons can be learned from the failed peacebuilding efforts in Afghanistan?
What can international and regional organizations do to facilitate cooperation on key governance issues,
such as global warming and mass migration?

Wat does the future hold?

Due to the broad nature of the Liberal Arts & Sciences degree and the strong interdisciplinary skills developed in the programme, graduates are in demand on the labor market. Liberal Arts & Sciences students go in many different directions after graduation. Your major is a key stepping stone in your path towards a Master's degree or further career.

It is common for Liberal Arts & Sciences graduates to pursue a master's degree, to further challenge themselves and to specialize. The master's builds on knowledge gained in the major as well as the programme as a whole. Some examples of master's programmes that students with a major in World Politics pursued:

MA EU International Relations and Diplomacy @ Studies, College d’Europe, Belgium
MPhil Global and Area Studies @ Oxford University, UK
MA International Security @ Sciences Po, France
MA Global Thought @ Columbia University, USA

During and after their studies, students pursue many different extracurriculars, engage in internships or follow master's degrees. Due to the wide variety of experiences and goals, each career path is different. Some examples of career paths that students with a major in World Politics pursued:

Politician, Policy Advisor
Diplomat, civil servant
Journalist
Consultant, lobbyist, public relations
Educator, researcher

Get inspired by the journey of Ilyaas, one of our World Politics alumni.

Curious?

Read more about this unique study programme on the programme website, see our upcoming events or read how to apply!