Political Science Syllabus 2024: Subjects, Semester-wise Syllabus PDF, Top Colleges, Books
Shruti TiwariContent writer
Political science as a discipline focuses on studying and analysing power and politics from varied perspectives such as domestic, international, and comparative. Through this, any student who wishes to understand anything related to politics; process, structure, behaviour, institutions, ideas, ideologies, war, law, diplomacy, strategy, groups, classes, and the government, can fulfil their wish.
- It can be pursued as an undergraduate course or a postgraduate course, i.e. either a Bachelor's or a Master's.
- The course should be pursued by people interested in and aspiring to make a career in the political domain.
- This discipline is offered by many top colleges and universities throughout India and is readily opted for right after the 12th if it interests them.
- The job roles vary from legislative assistant, political advisor, professor, researcher, IAS officer, IFS officer, public relations specialist, policy analyst, political campaigner etc.
- Syllabus – Important Facts for Political science
- Typical Core Subjects for Political Science
- Typical Elective Subjects for Political Science
- Detailed Syllabus for Political Science
- Specialisations offered in Political Science
- Books and Authors Related to Political Science
- Entrance Exams for Political Science
- Syllabus for Distance Program in Political Science
- Top Colleges for Political Science
- FAQs on Political Science
Syllabus – Important Facts for Political science
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The Bachelor's in Political Science is a three- year course spread over 6 semesters. The Master's in Political Science is for two years and can be pursued once you are done with your Bachelor's.
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There is no age limit as such, and you can start a BA in Political Science right after the 12th, based on cutoff marks or entrance tests.
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Students must only opt for this course if politics and everything related to politics is interesting to them, because the course is detailed and extensive.
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The subjects touch every topic related to history, economics etc. such as Indian politics, public administration, international politics and relations, nationalism in India, major governments of the world, etc. Even though the course name differs from college to college, the main essence and core remains the same.
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The scope is huge because there are a lot of experts required in the political field, and the syllabus is very well aligned to help you achieve the purpose.
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With a focus on political learning and upskilling students with soft skills such as problem-solving, analytics, communication etc., this course is a proper mix.
Typical Core Subjects for Political Science
Subject title |
Subject details |
---|---|
Understanding political theory |
This subject introduces political theory to students. Then it moves on to the traditions and approaches to political theory, explains the critical and contemporary trends, and winds up with political theory practice and its grammar. |
Constitutional Government and Democracy in India |
The subject discusses the constitution, assembly, government organs, federalism, and decentralisation. |
Political Theory and Concepts |
This subject deals with the importance of freedom, the indispensability of justice, universal rights, and concerns itself with major debates. |
Political Process in India |
This subject is a detailed compilation of content on the party system in India, religion, regionalism and politics, caste and politics, and the change in the nature of India along with the times. |
Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics |
Through this subject, students understand comparative politics, the historical context of modern government such as capitalism and globalisation, socialism, colonialism and themes of comparative politics. |
Introduction to Public Administration |
This subject introduces students to the public administration discipline, classical theories such as scientific management and administration management, neo-classical and contemporary theories such as human relations, ecological approach etc. and public policy and major approaches in public administration. |
Perspectives on International Relations |
The subject helps students understand international relations, various related theoretical perspectives, and an overview of the twentieth century. |
Political Processes and Institutions in Comparative Perspective |
This subject guides students with various approaches to study comparative politics about the system of election and parties, nation-state and democratisation in post-colonial societies. |
Public Policy and Administration in India |
This subject introduces everything about public policy and administration, explains decentralisation, budget and social welfare administration, citizen and Administration interface. |
Global Politics |
This subject gives insights on globalisation: concepts and perspectives and contemporary global issues such as terrorism, migration etc. |
Western Political Philosophy |
This subject gives an insight to students about the framing of the first political questions and goes back in time to Greek antiquity. This has text and interpretations of Plato, Hobbes, Karl Marx, etc. |
Indian Political Thought |
This subject speaks of the emergence and evolution of Indian political thought over different points of time, including traditional pre-colonial Indian political thought, Ved Vyasa and Manu, Kautilya, Barani and Aggannasutta, Kabir and Abul Faza. |
Contemporary Political Philosophy |
Political philosophies are introduced with this subject, including those of Lenin, Mao Zedong, Antonio Gramsci, and John Rawls. |
Modern Indian Political Thought |
This subject has insights into modern Indian political thought. It includes ideas such as Ram Mohan Roy's liberalism to JP Narayan's total revolution and everything in between. |
Typical Elective Subjects for Political Science
Subject title |
Subject details |
---|---|
Introduction to Human Rights |
This subject deals with understanding human rights, i.e. three generations, universal declaration, rights in the national constitution, international refugee law and international humanitarian law. |
Development process and social movements in contemporary India. |
This subject explains the development process ever since Independence, development strategy, and its impact on social structure and various social movements. |
India Foreign Policy in a Changing world |
This subject describes the bases, determinants, post-colonial perspectives of India's foreign policy. It further explains India's relations with the USA, Russia, China and South Asia and India’s position as a global power. |
Women, Power and Politics |
This subject focuses on feminism, issues for women such as patriarchy, violence, women empowerment and development. |
Feminism: Theory and Practice |
This subject focuses on making students understand feminism, the various theories surrounding it, the issues and participation of women and families in contemporary India and women 's work and labour. |
Governance: Issues and Challenges |
This subject includes government and governance, good governance, local governance and good governance initiative in India. |
Gandhi and the Contemporary World |
This subject has key instances of Gandhi and his influence, his initiatives and legacy, for example, Satyagraha, Swaraj etc. |
United Nations and Global Conflicts |
This subject has an overview of The United Nations, other organisations such as the Security Council, the International Court of Justice and major conflicts in global space since the second world war. |
Detailed Syllabus for Political Science
Semester |
Subject title |
Subject Details |
---|---|---|
1. |
Principles of Political Science I |
This subject has everything about political science, such as its definitions, nature, scope etc. The state's elements, nature, theories, and sovereignty are also discussed. |
1. |
Indian National Movement & Constitutional Development I |
This subject has everything about the history of the Indian National Movement, how the Indian National Congress came into existence, The Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, the Home Rule Movement, the Non-Cooperation movement, the Swaraj Party, the Charter Acts etc. |
2. |
Principles of Political Science II |
This subject has everything about political ideas such as socialism, justice, democracy, equality, liberty, nationalism, feminism, fascism and others. |
2. |
Indian National Movement & Constitutional Development II |
This subject explains the rise and growth of revolutionary movements in India, such as the Quit India Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement and acts such as the Government of India Act, 1935, Indian Independence Act, 1947 etc. |
3 |
Comparative Political Institutions I |
This subject describes the nature and approaches of comparative political institutions, constitutionalism and rule of law, federalism and separation of powers, etc. |
3 |
Constitution of India |
This subject is comprehensive information about the composition, aims and objectives of the constituent assembly, preamble, parliament, judiciary, citizenship, fundamental rights and duties etc. |
4 |
Comparative Political Institutions II |
This subject describes the executive, legislature, and judiciary of countries such as the UK, USA, China, Russia, and the different political parties therein. |
4 |
Constitution of India II |
This one has all the information one needs on the governor, chief minister, union-state relations, amendment procedure, election commission and finance commission. |
5 |
Political Thought - Indian and Western I |
This subject is a comparative assessment of Indian thinkers such as Manu and Kautilya and Western thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle. |
5 |
Indian Government and Politics |
This subject describes salient features of the Indian political system, federalism, parliament, Supreme Court, union government, fundamental rights and duties etc. |
5 |
Political Sociology I |
This subject has everything about political sociology, such as emergence, nature, scope and approaches. It also includes political socialisation, participation and power. |
5 |
Principles of Public Administration I |
This one describes all aspects of public administration such as nature, scope, public and private, etc. It also focuses on the concept of the organisation such as meaning, types, principles, units, and the concept, merits, and demerits of delegated legislation. |
5 |
International Relations I |
The different concepts of international business such as meaning, scope, approaches, power and ideology are studied in this subject. It also has national power, interest, Cold War, non-alignment, etc. |
6 |
Political thought: Indian and Western II |
This one continues from its predecessor, describing the ideals and studies of Indian thinkers such as Vivekananda Gandhi and Western thinkers such as Rousseau, Machiavelli, etc. |
6 |
Indian Government and Politics II |
ThIs one describes the political process and issues in Indian democracy. |
6 |
Political Sociology II |
Political culture, parties, pressure groups, public opinion, mass society, modernisation etc., form the content to be studied in this subject. |
6 |
Principles of Public Administration II |
This subject describes the types, functions and roles of the Chief Executive, personal administration, administrative corruption, financial administration and administrative improvement. |
6 |
International Relations: Concepts and Issues -II |
As a continuation to its first volume, this one describes Cold War politics, regionalism, foreign policy, and the United Nations. |
Specialisations offered in Political Science
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Specialisation
Specialisation Subjects
Comparative Politics
Political change, comparative politics, party system, political institutions, terrorism, hybrid regimes
Electoral Politics
Parties, party system, voting behaviour, democracy and elections, survey methodology, religion and party politics in the west
Political Communication
Citizen politics, automated text analysis, political communication, social movements
Political Economy
Democracy, globalisation, inequality, devolution, decentralisation, autocracy, state and markets, business, Neoliberalism
Political Research Methodology and Social Analysis
Field research and data analysis, introduction to statistics, applied statistics, multivariate statistics, casualty
Social and Political theory
Political Institutions, populism, popular sovereignty, reinterpreting physical violence, manipulation, power and representation in legislatures.
Post-Communist Politics
Populism, democracy, nationalism, topics, trends and techniques of political research.
Books and Authors Related to Political Science
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Subject
Book title
Authors
Understanding political theory
Political theory: An Introduction
Bhargava, R. and Ashok Acharya
Political theory
Modern Political theory
Verma, S.P.
The political process in India
Politics in India
Kaviraj, Sudipta
Comparative government and policies
World Constitutions
Bhagwan, Vishnu
Entrance Exams for Political Science
The general criteria for opting for a course in political science is extremely simple, i.e. admission is given based on 12th board exam marks. For example, colleges of Delhi University have cutoffs in terms of marks, and if a student has the required marks, he or she can take admission to that college.
However, some colleges/ universities do have entrance exams, some of which are:
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SUAT
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XAT
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DUET
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LPUNEST
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CUET
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BHU PET
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IPU CET
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JNUEE.
Syllabus for Distance Program in Political Science
Students who wish to pursue political science but cannot attend regular college because of financial constraints, distance, eligibility, job, or other reasons, have another option, which is distance learning. The course structure remains the same, the only difference being that students do not have to go to college regularly.
There are options for colleges and universities which allow you to pursue political science in distance mode, such as:
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Delhi University SOL
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Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
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Chandigarh University
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University of Mumbai
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Jaipur National University
Top Colleges for Political Science
Based on the curriculum, electives' choices, and in-house placement opportunities, these are the top colleges for Political Science in India.
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College/University/Institution (Abbreviation.)
College URL’s
Lady Shri Ram College
To be Uploaded Soon.
Hindu College
To be Uploaded Soon.
Miranda House
To be Uploaded Soon.
Ramjas College
To be Uploaded Soon.
St. Xavier's College
To be Uploaded Soon.
Christ University
To be Uploaded Soon.
Presidency College
To be Uploaded Soon.
Madras Christian College
To be Uploaded Soon.
Jamia Millia Islamia
Banaras Hindu University
To be Uploaded Soon.
FAQs on Political Science
Q. What are the subjects studied in political science?
A. The course structure can vary across colleges, but the basics and important subjects to be studied remain the same. This can include:
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Political Theory
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Government and Democracy
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Public Administration
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Comparative Politics and government
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International Relations
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World History
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Political Process
Q. What are the four types of political science?
A. So, not types but subfields of political science, exist. The big field of political science has these important subfields such as:
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International Relations
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American politics
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Political economy
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Comparative politics
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Political philosophy
Q. Is political science very hard?
A. Ask yourself, what is that one thing which isn't hard? Everything is. So, you have to choose what’s hard for yourself. If you are self-inspired to love reading, studying, and researching everything political, this could be an amazing option. Yes, it can be difficult because of a lot of information, making it also complicated. But to do it well, you just need to work on your strengths and weaknesses and bring them together to make a career in the political field.
Q. Is political science good for IAS?
A. Yes, if someone is aspiring to be an IAS officer, political science could be the subject you can go for because even though it is difficult, its application is really important in the field you are targeting.
Q. Is doing a BA in political science a good option?
A. Definitely yes. Students are interested in this field of study, and why not. Along with BA Economics, BA (Political Science) is a hot favourite amongst students who enjoy this space.
Q. What are the job prospects after political science?
A. There is a whole lot of variety and exploring that you can do, which can include:
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Political Scientist
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Civil Services
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Politics
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Political consultant
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Teaching
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Legal Assistant etc.
Q. What are the three main branches of political science?
A. The three main branches of political science are Public Administration, Public Law and Public Theory.
Q. Can I become a political scientist after pursuing this?
A. Yes, you can! To be eligible to be a political scientist, you must have finished a PhD. program or a Master's degree in public administration, political science or a related field.
Q. What are the faces of political science?
A. The two faces of political science are conflict and cooperation.
Q. Is it political science or art?
A. It is called a science but is more of an art because it involves the application of the knowledge acquired during the process of preparing and studying for it.
Q. If I wish to make a career in law, can I do an LLB after BA in Political Science?
A. Yes, if you wish to pursue law after BA in Political Science, there's no problem applying for it.
Q. Is political science worth it?
A. Definitely yes, because the areas it focuses on are not trends but something that is here to stay. So even though there will be competition, there are going to be more opportunities always open for you and to make sure you grab them, you can constantly upskill yourself. For example, after you complete a BA, you can go for an MA next or specialisation and look for practical experience alongside.
Q. Does political science include maths?
A. Do not be terrified, but at some point in the course, yes. You will be required to use maths for various calculations and to understand statistics.
Q. Does it require a lot of writing?
A. Absolutely. Subjects like history etc., are pretty much theory-based and very extensive and huge, so to say you'll have to write in political science would be an understatement because you'll have to write a lot.
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Most Popular Courses
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- B.A. (Hons.) in Political ScienceHindu College, University of Delhi
- B.A. (History, Political Science)Hindu College, University of Delhi
- M.A. in Public AdministrationBanaras Hindu University
- B.A. (Hons.) in Political ScienceAmity University, Noida
- B.A. (Hons.) in Political ScienceLady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi
- B.A. (Economics, Political Science, Statistics)St. Xavier's College, Mumbai
- B.A. in Political Science and GeographyMiranda House, University of Delhi
- B.A. in Political Science and EconomicsMiranda House, University of Delhi
- B.A. in Political Science and HistoryMiranda House, University of Delhi
- B.A. (Hons.) in Political ScienceMiranda House, University of Delhi
News & Updates
Student Forum
Answered Yesterday
It sounds like you have a very strong interest in the arts and humanities! Your subjects—Hindi, Urdu, History, Political Science, and Geography—will give you a well-rounded understanding of language, culture, history, and the political and geographical landscape. These subjects can open doors to var
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Political Science can be considered a Pre-Law course because of the following reasons:
- Political Science helps in building roots about government functioning, the legal frameworks that govern societies, and the political processes that shape laws.
- Political Science also covers concepts like Constituti
N
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 6 days ago
Candidates seeking to pursue a Bachelor's degree in International Relations may have completed their 12th grade in any stream, though a humanities and social sciences or political Science background would be most suitable. Most universities admit based on the minimum percentage at the 12th level, wh
H
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Hello!
Public Policy coures are offered by fewer colleges. Since many of these are private colleges, it may appear to be more expensive than usual. Some colleges that offer Public Policy courses at afforadable fees have been mentioned in the table below:
Public Policy Course Colleges | Fees |
---|---|
University of Mumbai | INR 68,800- INR 80,000 |
University of Lucknow | INR 54,400 |
University of Madras | INR 3,000 |
TISS - Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai | INR 68,000 |
Central University of Rajasthan | INR 10,000 |
Hope this answer helps you!
m
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Yes, you can appear for the TGT SST exam in Haryana after completing an additional course in Political Science, provided you meet the following eligibility requirements:
Educational Qualification:
- You must have a B.A. or B.Com with at least 50% marks.
- You must have studied English and at least two of t
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
You can apply in B.A in Economics and Public Policy at SASTRA Chennai Campus by following steps :
- Fill the online application form at the official Website of SASTRA Chennai College.
- Select the course at the from the given options.
- Upload the required documents asked in the application form
- Physically v
Answered a month ago
Yes, applications are open at indal School of Government and Public Policy. The mode of application is online. The university offers BSc and MA courses at the UG and PG level. Apart from the UG and PG courses, the college also offers doctorate-level courses.The mode of study at Jindal School of Gove
Answered a month ago
Political Science is a discipline under the Humanities and Social Sciences. It is not a natural Science subject like Physics, Chemistry and Biology. But Political Science is considered to be scientific because of its approach and scope.
The similarities between Science and Political Science are as fo
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Political Scientist spends their time studying, interpreting, and developing hypotheses on pertinent topics. Political Science course is one of the most opted courses around the globe. The subject can be pursued from a number of government and private colleges at the below-mentioned fees:
Colleges Offering Political Science Courses | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
---|---|---|
Government Colleges | INR 1 Lacs to INR 2 lakh | INR 90,000 to INR 1.5 lakh |
Private Colleges | INR 1 Lacs to 4 lakh | INR 2 Lacs to INR 5 lakh |
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
. You can go through the following books which are highly rated in the nation:
Book | Author |
---|---|
Nationalism | Rabindranath Tagore |
The 48 Laws of Power | Robert Greene |
The Communist Manifesto | Karl Marx |
The Republic | Plato |
Political Theory | Andrew Heywood |
Modern Indian Political Thought | Bidyut Chakrabarty and Rajendra Kumar Pandey |
Comparative Government and Politics | Martin Harrop and Rod Hague |
Public Administration: A Reader | Bidyut Chakrabarty |
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Demand for Political Science experts is high in multiple fields. They can go on to pursue careers in journalism, education, law, communications, government, business, politics, etc.
- Political Science is a broad discipline that can lead to a wide range of jobs. Here are some of the most prevalent o
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Following are the top colleges that offer degree courses in political science:
Lady Shri Ram College for Women | St. Xavier's College, Mumbai |
Christ University | Miranda House |
MCC - Madras Christian College | The Hindu College |
Presidency University, Kolkata | Ramjas College |
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Political Science graduates can find work in different government offices and in private sector organisations as well. Civil services, legal, marketing, journalism, academia, strategy, analysis, and other fields place a premium on political Science careers. Students can also pursue higher studies as
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Yes, why not you can study political Science without having a background in it, There are no specific eligibility criteria for the course but it depends on the type and the level of course you are pursuing.
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Yes, you typically need to clear an entrance exam to pursue a political Science course, Some entrance exams for political Science courses include CUET, IPUCET, PUBDET, CUET PG, and UGC NET. Some institutions offer merit-based admissions to students to get into political Science courses. For more cla
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
The eligibility criteria for political Science courses vary depending on the level of the courses are as follows
UG (Undergraduate)- Candidates must have passed 10+2 or an equivalent examination with a minimum of 50% marks. Some colleges may require a minimum of 60% marks.
PG (Postgraduate)- Candidat
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
There are several reasons why many candidates prefer to pursue Political Science courses:
- The study of political Science aids students in developing important research, writing, and communication skills.
- You'll learn about the foundations of political theories, and how to put your opinions in front
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Yes, we can give you the necessary information. But please remember that now the admission process has changed to get admission in any college after 12th class.
Now, you have to take CUET exam to get admission in any university.
Many Universities like DU, BHU, AU, and other State Government and Centr
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, International relations draws from Political science, Economics, History, Sociology, and Law, making it highly interdisciplinary. It encompasses a wide range of subfields, including Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, Conflict Resolution, Globalization and international law, and The study of negotiation
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
Hey, thankyou for raising your query, I would like to answer your question here, For a Master's degree in International Relation you typically need a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, History, Econmics or any similar fields that are often preferred to taking admissions. Also Most universities
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
To be eligible for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Relations (IR) in India, or political Science with a focus on International relations you typically need to have passed a similar exam from any stream with 50% from a recognised board.
Some colleges may also conduct entrance exams as part
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
Choosing between Scripps College and Whittier College for a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science depends on several factors, such as academic offerings, campus culture, and resources. Here are some reasons why one might choose Scripps College over Whittier College for this program:
Reputation and Ac
P
Contributor-Level 6
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