Political Science delves into the deep depths of society and governance. It does not only focus on the government in a local setting but also at an international level, making it difficult to study, as its broadness and ambiguity. Moreover, multiple empirical data and testaments suggest that it is a course that requires a lot of hard work and cramming due to the amount of knowledge being discussed throughout the levels.
As such, multiple schools have competed to provide the best curriculum with this line of study, ranging from multiple methods such as having a specialization, looking at it from a certain perspective, or discussing general topics from every angle of Political Science.
Here, we talk about some of the best political science schools in the world.
Top Political Science Schools in the World
1. Harvard University
Harvard University is a well-known name in the academic industry, with its alumni being just as famous as the school. The likes of John F. Kennedy, Theodore Roosevelt, and Barack Obama, these former students of Harvard are not shy when it comes to winning highly acclaimed awards such as the Nobel Peace Prize, which should tell you everything you need to know about university.
As its prominence, it is very selective when it comes to accepting applicants. With Harvard being a top institution for political science, the 4.6% acceptance rate leaves aspiring students at the edge of their seats during decision day, with multiple amounts of backup schools at the ready. Harvard is no joke, and if you think that the challenge is over after you are admitted, you’re wrong. It will only get tougher as you encounter geniuses and academic scholars at the same or maybe even a higher level than you. After all, those who choose Harvard to learn and grow will not only be joining as a student but also as a pioneer for global change.
See Also: 7 Best Countries to Study Political Science Abroad
2. Sciences Po
- Study Program
- Location: France | Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s and Ph.D.
Sciences Po has a huge number of international students. During their 2019 admission program, 46% of the students admitted to this top political science school were from overseas, making it one of the most inclusive schools on this list. Moreover, it actually has a transfer program with Harvard and around 80 other schools in the US, thus it’s recognized even in Western society.
It offers a wide variety of interesting dual degrees such as a degree for social sciences and political science, which is partnered with another school. Aside from that, they also have language courses that offer a lot of opportunities to their aspiring students, especially if those students are multi-talented. They can definitely find a fitting dual degree with a language course in Sciences Po.
3. The London School of Economics and Political Science
London School of Economics and Political Science is quite an inclusive school, they have pioneers when it comes to race equity, garnering partnerships around the world in order to provide opportunities and education to diverse people. Their staff is just as varied, coming from different cultures and backgrounds, LSE truly provides a pool of diverse cultures and customs.
The school mostly focuses on social sciences, with a lot of their projects including issues such as shaping social contracts for the improvement of collective welfare and a global hub called ‘Firoz Lalji Global Hub’. So, students mostly study broad Political Science not only in the eyes of the law but also in the eyes of society and the collective minds within, making LSE one of the best political science schools in the world.
4. University of Oxford
While Oxford is a prestigious school with a great reputation, students here do not forget to have fun. With a ‘Do what you love’ section on their website, they’re already promoting the individuality and self-interests of their students. It has over 400 clubs and societies, guaranteeing that you can find a match however unique your interest is.
On the academic side of things, it’s still quite competitive due to its consistently high ranking in the Times Higher Education, securing the top place for 5 years now. No wonder the University of Oxford is among the best schools for political science. Moreover, 45% of the total student body is comprised of international students which is very inclusive of a school, especially considering its 17.5% acceptance rate.
Check out: Best Scholarships in the United Kingdom for International Students
5. Princeton University
Princeton University focuses a lot on research, having multiple sections on their website that lead to a research-based program, including an Interdisciplinary Approach in which the works of the students have been proudly showcased as well as the schools that they have collaborated with. With this, Princeton is definitely looking for innovative and curious minds that have the potential to not only be showcased in one of their sections someday but also be well-known in the whole world.
In a sense, Princeton expects its students to lay their services to mankind, with their informal motto being ‘Princeton in the nation’s service and the service of humanity. This is seen in their different awards in which most of which are Nobel Prizes, over which the essence of the award is that it believes people are able to help its society through different fields such as science, a fitting award for a Princeton student/alumnus.
6. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is heavy on science and research, with its leading university news being the treatment of cancer, it is truly a center of innovation and biological progression. That aside, the University of Cambridge is one of the best political schools. It thrives on social progression over which one of its core values is freedom of discrimination and freedom of thought and expression. So not only is it medically and technologically adept, but it is also one of the homes of modern ideas.
A 21% acceptance rate seems quite good for a prestigious school such as Cambridge. As a university of high accreditation, 21% is certainly generous. Moreover, 89% of a mix of employment and higher education rate is also quite good for a university, meaning 89% of their population has either gotten a job or proceeded to take a higher form of education within 15 months after graduation.
7. Stanford University
Stanford University is very broad when it comes to its approach to Political Science. It offers both quantitative and qualitative methods in a well-balanced mix that teaches political science in a national and international setting. The broadness of it makes the graduating students a jack-of-all-trades who can tackle the basics of any part of the subject, something that is valuable to those who want to have multiple specializations.
This university actually has a lot of Inclusion programs wherein they offer opportunities to people with multiple backgrounds namely their ‘Minority Student Recruitment Program’ wherein they fight for more diversity in the college, setting a good example for the other universities to follow when it comes to social progression.
We hope this guide on the world’s best political science schools was helpful. To know more information on studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.