The Postgraduate College

The Social Sciences / Political Science

Overview

Degree awarded:

M.Phil

M.Phil/Ph.D

M.S.S

M.Sc

PGDEA

Ph.D

Programmes:

Master of Science in Political Science (Public Administration and Public Policy)

Master of Science in Political Science (International Relations)

Master of Science in Political Science (Comparative Politics)

Field of interest:

Comparative Politics

Development Studies

International Relations

Not Applicable

Political Communication

Political Economy

Political Sociology

Political Theory

Public Administration

Public Administration and Public Policy

Public Policy

Entry requirements:

General Regulations Governing Admission to Higher Degree Programmes

Candidates for admission to higher degree programmes shall normally be graduates of the University of Ibadan or other Universities/Institutions recognised by the Senate. Admission shall be made by the Postgraduate College on the recommendation of the appropriate Faculty Postgraduate Committee.
Candidates without any previous higher degrees in the relevant discipline may be admitted only to either the Degree of Master or the Professional Degree of Master.
Candidates with recognised “Research Higher” Degree in the relevant discipline may be admitted to the M.Phil or Ph.D. degree programmes as appropriate, on the recommendation of the appropriate Faculty Postgraduate Committee.
A candidate admitted to the degree of Master of University of Ibadan who obtained a weighted average mark of 55.0 – 59.9%, or a CGPA of between 4.0 and 4.9 may be offered provisional admission to the M.Phil./Ph.D programmes. Such candidates shall be assessed within three semesters of full time and four semesters of part time registration for the M.Phil/Ph.D to Ph.D conversion. This shall also apply to students who graduated from other universities

SPECIAL WAIVER FOR MATURED APPLICANTS

All University of Ibadan graduates should be admitted to Postgraduate programme with the ordinary level criteria existing at the time their first admission. Candidate who did not fulfill the requirements as at the time of their admission are not eligible for consideration.
Special consideration may be given to candidates, who obtained their first degree not less than 20 years from the time of seeking admission to any postgraduate programmes. Such candidates must have been found to possess special skills or abilities and professionally or academically engaged during the period of 20 years.

How to apply:

Apply online

Our Political Science programme focuses on the study of political systems, institutions, processes, and behavior. Our higher degree programs in Political Science provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in analyzing and understanding political phenomena at local, national, and international levels. Here is a general overview of the course content in Political Science:

Political Theory:

This course examines the foundational theories and concepts that underpin political thought and practice. Students study classic and contemporary political theories, ideologies, and philosophical perspectives to gain a deep understanding of the principles and ideas that shape political systems.

Comparative Politics:

This course compares different political systems and institutions across countries and regions. Students analyze the similarities and differences in political structures, government systems, electoral processes, party systems, and policy-making processes to develop a comparative understanding of political dynamics.

International Relations:

This course explores the interactions between states, international organizations, and non-state actors in the global arena. Students study topics such as international security, diplomacy, global governance, international law, and foreign policy to understand the complexities of the international system.

Political Economy:

This course examines the relationship between politics and economics. Students study how political factors influence economic policies, development strategies, trade relations, and the distribution of resources. They analyze the role of institutions, power dynamics, and ideologies in shaping economic outcomes.

Public Administration and Policy:

This course focuses on the study of public administration, governance, and policy-making processes. Students learn about public sector management, policy analysis, program evaluation, and public policy formulation to understand how governments operate and address societal challenges.

Political Research Methods:

This course equips students with the skills and techniques necessary for conducting political research. Students learn quantitative and qualitative research methods, data analysis, survey design, and research ethics. They gain hands-on experience in designing and conducting research projects in political science.

Political Communication:

This course examines the role of media, communication, and public opinion in politics. Students study the influence of mass media, political campaigns, propaganda, and public discourse on shaping political behavior, decision-making, and policy outcomes.

Specialized Topics:

We look into specialized courses in specific areas such as political psychology, gender and politics, environmental politics, human rights, or conflict resolution. These courses allow students to delve deeper into specific subfields and develop expertise in their areas of interest.

Few/Some of the Course Content

POS 701	Statistical Analysis in Political Science
POS 702	Research Methods in Political Science
POS 711	Comparative Political Analysis
POS 712	Political Behaviour
POS 713	Colonialism and Social Formations in Africa
POS 731	Public Administration
POS 732	Public Policy Analysis
POS 733	Decentralisation and Inter-governmental Administrative System
POS 741	Nigerian Government and Politics
POS 751	International Legal Order
POS 752	International Organisations
POS 753	Foreign Policy
POS 761	Theories of International Relations
POS 770	Issues in Contemporary International Relations
POS 770	Issues in Contemporary International Relations
POS 761	Theories of International Relations
MSS 729	Psychological Warfare
MSS 726	Foreign Military Presence in Africa and the Politics of Arms Trade
MSS 727	Issues in Advanced Civil Military Relations
MSS 713	Law of Armed Conflicts
MSS 703	Defence Data Sources, Methods and Problems
MSS 714	Nigerian Foreign Policy
MSS 712	Nigerian Government and Politics
MSS 711	Defence and the National Economy
MSS 705	Independent Research Project
MSS 704	Comparative Defence Policy

Entry Requirement

General Admission Requirements for Higher Degree

The basic qualification for admission to all Postgraduate Courses and Programmes is a first degree of the University of Ibadan or degree/Higher National Diploma of other recognized Institutions in the relevant discipline. Where qualifications are not strictly in the area of admission, remedial courses, which may lead to additional periods of studentship, may be prescribed.
In addition to individual Departmental requirements, applicants must satisfy the ‘O’ Level first degree matriculation requirements of the University of Ibadan i.e five ‘O’Level credit passes at ONE sitting or 6 ‘O’ level credits at TWO sittings including English Language and subject areas for ALL disciplines and Mathematics for ALL Science-based disciplines, Educational Management and Economics and at least a pass in Mathematics for other Social Science Courses OR Holder of NCE must have credit passes in WASC or credit or merit passes in TC II (obtained between 1967 and 1981) in English Language and four other relevant matriculation subjects.
Candidates for the degree of M.Phil and Ph.D. are admitted in the first instance to the Degree of Master Programme. However, candidates who, in addition to a good first degree, and already holding acceptable postgraduate degrees, may be considered for direct admission to the M.Phil and Ph.D. Programmes.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

Candidate with recognized first degree or higher degree assessed to be at least equal or equivalent to the degree of Bachelor or Master of the University of Ibadan and as recognized by the University senate may be admitted to the Masters , M.Phil, M.Phil/Ph.D or Ph.D Programme on the recommendation of the appropriate Faculty Postgraduate Committee
All applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma, Degree of Masters and Professional Master are require to take Test of Proficiency in English Language. A. minimum score of 40 percent must be attained before applicants could be eligible to be shortlisted by the admitting Departments, Schools, or Institutes.

Facilities

Career Path

Graduates of higher degree programs in Political Science have a range of career opportunities in various sectors. Some common career paths include:

Government and Public Service:

Many political science graduates work in government agencies, public administration, and civil service. They may pursue careers in policy analysis, public policy-making, diplomacy, political consulting, or public affairs.

International Organizations:

Graduates can work for international organizations such as the United Nations, World Bank, or regional organizations, contributing to global governance, diplomacy, development projects, or humanitarian initiatives.

Nonprofit and Non-Governmental Organizations:

Political science graduates can work for nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, or think tanks, focusing on areas such as human rights, social justice, environmental policy, or public interest research.

Education and Academia:

Graduates can pursue careers in teaching and research at universities, colleges, or research institutions. They can become professors, researchers, or academic administrators, contributing to the advancement of political science knowledge.

Media and Journalism:

Some political science graduates work in the media industry as journalists, political analysts, or public opinion researchers. They analyze political events, provide expert commentary, and shape public discourse through their reporting and analysis.

Law and Legal Services:

Graduates with a background in political science can pursue careers in the legal field. They may work as lawyers,legal researchers, policy analysts, or lobbyists, specializing in areas such as constitutional law, human rights law, or international law.

Business and Consulting:

Political science graduates with strong analytical and research skills can work in the private sector, particularly in areas related to government relations, public affairs, corporate social responsibility, or policy analysis for business strategy.

It's important to note that the career paths in Political Science are diverse and can vary based on individual interests, specialization areas, and professional experience. Graduates may also choose to pursue further education, such as a Ph.D., to pursue careers in academia or advanced research.

Supervisor(s)

Fees

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