Public Administration (research) (MSc)

Admission requirements

Entry requirements

The following requirements apply to all applicants (including Leiden University graduates).

Previous education

• A bachelor’s diploma (from a recognised university) in Political Science or in Public Administration, or a bachelor’s degree with a major in either of these fields, obtained with excellent results. In addition, students holding a degree in another scientific field may also be accepted to the programme if their prior studies or other relevant experience can be considered equivalent.
• A demonstrable affinity with an area of research in the programme, as evidenced for instance by a bachelor’s thesis or by a paper (preferably in English).
• Above average academic performance, as evidenced by a transcript (average grade at the bachelor-level of ‘8’ or higher (rounded to a whole number) in the Dutch grading system or equivalent in other grading systems) and/or other indicators (relevant extracurricular activities, honours programme, etc).
• Training in research methods and techniques and statistics at the bachelor-level should minimally account for 15 ECTS.

Proficiency in English

• Sufficient proficiency in the English language, evidenced by a sufficient TOEFL or IELTS score, or because of your previous education:
  
  TOEFL/IELTS
  • TOEFL: A score of at least 625 (paper based)/263 (computer based)/110 (internet based) is required.
  • IELTS: 7.5 or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency (CPE-C) is considered the minimum score to be eligible for admission.
  Previous education
  • A TOEFL or IELTS test is not required if you have completed your education in any one of the following countries:
    • Canada (except Quebec)
    • USA
    • UK
    • Ireland
    • New Zealand
    • Australia
      
      Students in all other countries enrolled in English-language bachelor’s programmes (e.g. University Colleges) need to submit an English-language proficiency test as listed above (except in cases where the programme has an English-language proficiency requirement that is identical to this programme).
  • Documentation of your proficiency in English is not required if you have obtained an (all-English) International Baccalaureate diploma.