Global Politics and Society (GPS)

During the last decades, globalization processes have been challenging the functioning of western societies across a wide range of domains: from political participation and representation to welfare states' structures and labour market regulation; from citizenship's rights and migration, to the threats concerning novel forms of discrimination and exclusion. The complexity, as well as the interdependent nature of those challenges, require professionals able to understand and interpret, in a way that is at the same time rigorous, theoretically informed and methodologically sound, how and in which directions globalization processes are affecting the functioning of contemporary societies and polities.
The master's degree in Global Politics and Society addresses the above-mentioned task, relying on a genuinely multidisciplinary approach, developed through a coherent path consisting of:
- a core package of six compulsory courses - meant to provide an advanced training in the fields of political science and sociology, complemented by key competences in the area of law and economics (48 credits);
- five elective courses, that allow students to strengthen their competences in specific thematic areas, within a rich offer of options (36 credits);
- other additional elective and optional activities (15 credits);
- a research dissertation (21 credits).
GPS graduates will be prepared for positions in the field of applied research in social and political sciences; in national and international political institutions and non-governmental organizations; in public, private and third sector organizations, which tackle the dynamics of the global market; in companies and organizations within the information sector, the cultural industry and the publishing market.
They will also be well prepared to engage in further academic research and apply to top-level PhD programmes in social and political sciences.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The programme is intended for top-level international students.
Admission is based on academic excellence. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent; a strong interest and/or previous studies in political science, sociology or related subjects; a sound knowledge of spoken and written English.
The evaluation process will take into consideration the applicants' prior academic record, their motivation and performance through an interview (see below).
More specifically, applicants who obtained their bachelor's degrees from Italian Universities are eligible for admission only if they hold a "laurea" degree belonging to any one of the "classi di laurea" (degree classes) listed below under the heading "Note 1".
Applicants who completed their undergraduate studies in foreign Universities are eligible for admission if they hold a bachelor's degree in political science, sociology, economics or other broadly related subjects (from history to philosophy, and so on), provided that their bachelor's degree may be regarded as equivalent to one of the Italian "laurea" degrees listed below (Note 1).
Note 1:
L-05 Filosofia;
L- 11 Classe delle Lauree in Lingue e Culture Moderne;
L-12 Classe delle Lauree in Mediazione Linguistica;
L-14 Classe delle Lauree in Scienze dei Servizi Giuridici;
L-16 Classe delle Lauree in Scienze dell'Amministrazione dell'Organizzazione;
L- l8 Classe delle Lauree in Scienze dell'Economia e della Gestione Aziendale;
L-20 Classe delle Lauree in Scienze della Comunicazione;
L-33 Classe delle Lauree in Scienze Economiche;
L-36 Classe delle Lauree in Scienze Politiche e delle Relazioni Internazionali
L-37 Classe delle Lauree in Scienze Sociali per la Cooperazione, lo Sviluppo e la Pace;
L-39 Classe delle Lauree in Scienze del Servizio Sociale;
L-40 Classe delle Lauree in Sociologia;
L-41 Statistica;
L-42 Classe delle lauree in Storia.
Eligible candidates must meet the following requirements:
a) They must have earned at least 9 ECTS credits or equivalent in statistics.
The ECTS credit value of foreign applicants' undergraduate studies will be assessed by the GPS admissions committee. Applicants holding an Italian bachelor's degree must have earned the required credits within the set of admissible "settori scientifico-disciplinari" (disciplinary scientific sectors) listed below under the heading "Note 2". Applicants who completed their undergraduate studies in foreign Universities should exhibit a comparable academic record or competence in statistics.
Note 2:
SECS-S/01, SECS-S/02, SECS-S/03, SECS-S/04, SECS-S/05, SECS-S/06, SECS-P/05 o MAT/06;
b) Non-native English speakers must be able to demonstrate their knowledge of English, either by showing they have at least one year of university studies at institutions where the language of instruction is English, or during the interview. The possessing of a IELTS or TOEFL will also be taken into account.
At least a B2 level language knowledge of English is required.
Applicants meeting the above requirements will be invited to an interview.
Interviews may be held on-site or by videoconference (see below).
Furthermore, GPS is part of a prestigious inter-university network: the network of European Masters in Labour Studies - EMLS. The other partners of the network are: Université catholique de Louvain, Universität Bremen, Universität Trier, University of Warwick, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Université Toulouse, University College Dublin, Università degli Studi di Firenze, University of Amsterdam, Instituto Universitario de Lisboa, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration of Romania, Univerza v Ljubljani. Each partner has agreed to recognize the teaching and evaluation methods of partner institutions as well as the equivalence of their curricula. Students may attend a semester in one of the EMLS partner universities. Accordingly, any examination passed at any university in the network is fully and automatically recognized.
GPS students may also obtain a double degree, jointly recognized by the University of Milan and the University of Bremen, following a specific path, focused on welfare and employment matters, and attending the first year at University of Bremen.
Attendance is mandatory.
Courses list
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Multi-level legal system | 6 | 40 | English | IUS/07 |
Optional | ||||
Globalization, social justice and human rights | 9 | 60 | English | SPS/08 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
International political economy and the welfare state | 12 | 80 | English | SECS-P/02 SPS/04 |
World Society | 9 | 60 | English | SPS/07 |
Optional | ||||
Economic of social regulation of global workforce | 9 | 60 | English | SPS/09 |
International migration and immigration policies | 9 | 60 | English | SPS/10 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Global social inequalities | 9 | 60 | English | SPS/09 |
Globalization and cultural diversity | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/08 |
Optional | ||||
Global citizenship | 9 | 60 | English | SPS/07 |
International and comparative labour law | 9 | 60 | English | IUS/07 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Globalization, social justice and human rights | 9 | 60 | English | First trimester | SPS/08 |
Economic of social regulation of global workforce | 9 | 60 | English | Second trimester | SPS/09 |
International migration and immigration policies | 9 | 60 | English | Second trimester | SPS/10 |
Global citizenship | 9 | 60 | English | Third trimester | SPS/07 |
International and comparative labour law | 9 | 60 | English | Third trimester | IUS/07 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Data lab | 3 | 20 | English | SPS/04 |
Employment, inequalities and discrimination in the global labour market | 6 | 40 | English | IUS/07 SPS/09 |
Media and politics | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/08 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Global Geopolitics | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/04 |
Optional | ||||
Consumer culture | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/07 |
Differences, inequalities and the politics of law | 6 | 40 | English | IUS/20 |
Globalization and labor markets | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/09 |
Social justice in a global world | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/01 |
The welfare state and social innovation | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/04 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Datafied societies | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/08 |
Dissertation lab | 3 | 20 | English | SPS/07 |
Global challenges to democracy | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/04 |
Global cities | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/08 |
Global social movements | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/08 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Final exam | 21 | 0 | English |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Employment, inequalities and discrimination in the global labour market | 6 | 40 | English | First trimester | IUS/07 SPS/09 |
Media and politics | 6 | 40 | English | First trimester | SPS/08 |
Consumer culture | 6 | 40 | English | Second trimester | SPS/07 |
Differences, inequalities and the politics of law | 6 | 40 | English | Second trimester | IUS/20 |
Globalization and labor markets | 6 | 40 | English | Second trimester | SPS/09 |
Social justice in a global world | 6 | 40 | English | Second trimester | SPS/01 |
The welfare state and social innovation | 6 | 40 | English | Second trimester | SPS/04 |
Datafied societies | 6 | 40 | English | Third trimester | SPS/08 |
Global challenges to democracy | 6 | 40 | English | Third trimester | SPS/04 |
Global cities | 6 | 40 | English | Third trimester | SPS/08 |
Global public policy and the knowledge society | 6 | 40 | English | Third trimester | SPS/04 |
Global social movements | 6 | 40 | English | Third trimester | SPS/08 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Global public policy and the knowledge society | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/04 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Advanced Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | French | |
Advanced Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | German | |
Advanced Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Spanish |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Data lab | 3 | 20 | English | First trimester | SPS/04 |
Dissertation lab | 3 | 20 | English | Third trimester | SPS/07 |
Advanced Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | French | Undefined | |
Advanced Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | German | Undefined | |
Advanced Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Spanish | Undefined |
- Degree Course E-mail
giorgio.saibene@guest.unimi.it
The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:
- The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
- The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year)
- An additional fee is due for online programmes
The University also offers:
- Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
- Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
- Concessions for international students with refugee status
Scholarships and benefits
The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).
Learn more
Guidance:
Admission, ranking and enrolment
Admission
Application for admission: from 10/03/2020 to 06/07/2020
Application for matriculation: from 17/06/2020 to 15/01/2021