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Political Science: Policy Processes - Actors, Causes and Consequences

Course · 15 credits

Description

The theoretical aspects of the course focus on the interaction between three different dimensions of analysis: norms, institutions, and actors. The course studies the way in which actors make decisions, attempt to govern the system and influence outcomes. Secondly, it studies the way in which norms and institutions both limit and enable the behaviour of actors.

Two analytical problems are paid special attention in the course:

How does governance take place in public sector policy-making? Various decision-making models and instruments of control are highlighted.

What roles do democracy and power play? The possibilities for citizens and actors representing citizens to exercise influence over the policy-making process are examined.

Addressing both these issues demands an understanding of different scientific approaches. The course therefore examines a set of theoretical perspectives from different philosophies of science, methods and concepts that are applicable to research on policy-making processes.

The empirical and the more practical elements of the course are based on a number of cases taking the form of research proposals. They focus on policy-making processes in three different policy areas:  security, health and environmental protection. The aim of case studies is to enable students to identify similarities and dissimilarities between how public policy-making takes place in different areas of the public sector.

Closed for applications

Application opportunities

Contact

Department of Political Science

Visiting address
Eden, Allhelgona kyrkogata 14, Lund

Postal address
Box 52, 221 00 Lund

https://www.svet.lu.se/en

Daniel Alfons

Study advisor

+46 46 222 89 50

daniel [dot] alfons [at] svet [dot] lu [dot] se

Mats Janér

Study advisor

+46 46 222 80 48

mats [dot] janer [at] svet [dot] lu [dot] se

Requirements and selection

Entry requirements

Entry to the course requires the completion of 150 credits, including a Bachelor's thesis in political science or an equivalent discipline.

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.

English language requirements

Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.

How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements

Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:

Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se

Apply

Start Autumn Semester 2024

Day-time Lund, full time 100%

In English

Study period

2 September 2024 - 31 October 2024

Application

You can only apply for this course in the 'Swedish student' application round. Find out more: Applying for studies – when to apply

How to apply

Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.

When to apply for studies

Step 1: Apply online

  • Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
  • Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
    Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website
  • Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.

Step 2: Submit documents

  • Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
    Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
    Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
     
  • Get all your documents ready:
    - official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
    - official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
    - passport/ID (all applicants) and
    - proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
     
  • Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
  • Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
  • Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.

* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below. 

Svensk student? 
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se

Tuition fees

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 31 250

First payment: SEK 31 250

Convert currency – xe.com

Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Application fee

If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.


*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.

Scholarships & funding

Lund University Global Scholarship programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarships

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.

External scholarships

Information about scholarships from external organisations