Dual Bachelor in International Studies and Political Science

• Program modified in 2023. In 2023/24 only will be offered 1st and 2nd year.

Study plan for students who started in the academic year 2022/23 or earlier. More information in Secretaría Virtual of Aula Virtual.

• In 2024/25 only 3rd, 4th and 5th. year will be offered.

Total credits: 324

Any of elective courses could not be offered in a specific year. You can check it in schedules page.

Exchange programs

The Erasmus programme permits UC3M first degree and post graduate students to spend one or several terms at one of the European universities with which UC3M has special agreements or take up an Erasmus Placement, that is a work placement or internship at an EU company. These exchanges are funded with Erasmus Grants which are provided by the EU and the Spanish Ministry of Education.

The non-european mobility program enables UC3M degree students to study one or several terms in one of the international universities with which the university has special agreements. It also has funding from the Banco Santander and the UC3M.

These places are offered in a public competition and are awarded to students with the best academic record and who have passed the language threshold  (English, French, German etc..) requested by the university of destination.

European mobility

Non european mobility

Entry Profile

Student should have a solid education in history, geography, mathematics, economics and environmental sciences. Additionally, although there is no entrance exam, we recommend a B2 (MCERL) level of English, given that the almost whole courses are taught in English.

We also appreciate students with initiative, flexibility, organizational working skills, a positive attitude to working in groups, ability to complete tasks under pressure, responsibility and curiosity to apply acquired knowledge in practice. Students should also have sensitivity and curiosity towards the legal, economic, political and social problems of the world today, interest to understand and discuss these problems and challenges from a critical point of view and using, both orally and in written form, distinct qualitative and quantitative skills.

Application for a place in the degree

Graduate profile

International Studies and Political Science is oriented to preparing graduates to pursue careers in these professional fields:

• Business intelligence and corporate strategy in multinational firms, nation brands, strategic planning for cities and metropolitan areas, etc.
• Public administrations
• Political policy analyst
• International Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations
• Political parties
• Political analyst
• Think-tanks and national and international research centers and observatories
• Political consulting and strategic communication
• Investigative journalism
• Education and research and consulting related to both

This double degree will provide students with the necessary skills to pursue a dynamic and versatile career, with a high capacity to adapt to changes in the labour markets with the profiles we have indicated above and those that are still to be consolidated in the years to come.

Basic Skills

CB1        Que los estudiantes hayan demostrado poseer y comprender conocimientos en un área de estudio que parte de la base de la educación secundaria general, y se suele encontrar a un nivel que, si bien se apoya en libros de texto avanzados, incluye también algunos aspectos que implican conocimientos procedentes de la vanguardia de su campo de estudio.

CB2        Que los estudiantes sepan aplicar sus conocimientos a su trabajo o vocación de una forma profesional y posean las competencias que suelen demostrarse por medio de la elaboración y defensa de argumentos y la resolución de problemas dentro de su área de estudio.

CB3        Que los estudiantes tengan la capacidad de reunir e interpretar datos relevantes (normalmente dentro de su área de estudio) para emitir juicios que incluyan una reflexión sobre temas relevantes de índole social, científica o ética.

CB4        Que los estudiantes puedan transmitir información, ideas, problemas y soluciones a un público tanto especializado como no especializado.

CB5        Que los estudiantes hayan desarrollado aquellas habilidades de aprendizaje necesarias para emprender estudios posteriores con un alto grado de autonomía.

General Skills

CG1       Conocer la realidad económica, jurídica, política y social desde una perspectiva comparada.

CG2       Ser capaz de abordar y analizar los valores inherentes a la igualdad de oportunidades, el multiculturalismo, el pluralismo político, ideológico y cultural, y los Derechos Humanos, en la sociedad internacional.

CG3       Conocer las técnicas de investigación cuantitativas o cualitativas y capacidad de discernir cuál es la adecuada a aplicar en el campo de las Ciencias Sociales.

CG4       Ser capaz de gestionar información, identificar, organizar y analizar información relevante de forma crítica y sistemática en el contexto de las relaciones internacionales.

CG5       Ser capaz de debatir y formular razonamientos críticos, empleando para ello terminología precisa y recursos especializados, sobre los fenómenos internacionales y globales, utilizando tanto los conceptos y conocimientos de las diferentes disciplinas como las metodologías de análisis, paradigmas y conceptos de las Ciencias Sociales.

CG6       Ser capaz de aplicar el método científico a las preguntas sociales, políticas y económicas que plantea la sociedad globalizada; así como para plantear un problema en este ámbito, identificando una posible explicación o solución, y un método para contrastarla interpretando cuidadosamente los datos.

CG7       Saber emitir juicios que incluyan una reflexión ética sobre temas fundamentales de carácter social, científico y económico en un contexto representativo de la sociedad tanto internacional como local.

Transversal Skills

CT1        Capacidad de comunicar los conocimientos oralmente y por escrito, ante un público tanto especializado como no especializado.

CT2        Capacidad de establecer una buena comunicación interpersonal y de trabajar en equipos multidisciplinares e internacionales.

CT3        Capacidad de organizar y planificar su trabajo, tomando las decisiones correctas basadas en la información disponible, reuniendo e interpretando datos relevantes para emitir juicios dentro de su área de estudio.

CT4        Motivación y capacidad para dedicarse a un aprendizaje autónomo de por vida, que les permita adaptarse a nuevas situaciones.

CT5        Conocer y ser capaz de manejar habilidades interpersonales sobre iniciativa y responsabilidad, negociación, inteligencia emocional, etc. así como herramientas de cálculo que permitan consolidar las habilidades técnicas básicas que se requieren en todo ámbito profesional.

Specific Skills

CE1        Conocer las principales teorías políticas y sociológicas. Saber analizar y comparar la estructura y el funcionamiento de los principales sistemas socio-políticos.

CE2        Conocer y comprender los procesos de cambio político, social, económico y cultural en la sociedad y la política contemporáneas.

CE3        Conocer el sistema de fuentes del Derecho.

CE4        Conocer el modelo de libertades públicas y derechos fundamentales en los ordenamientos jurídicos español e internacional.

CE5        Conocer los principales modelos de organización territorial, política, económica y social de los estados.

CE6        Conocer el impacto socio-político de los principales imperios, religiones y culturas en perspectiva histórica.

CE7        Comprender las principales consecuencias y dinámicas que genera la desigualdad, y conocer los principios en los que se basan las políticas de igualdad.

CE8        Conocer la estructura de los mercados y el impacto de la intervención pública en ellos.

CE9        Conocer y comprender la relevancia del progreso tecnológico en el desarrollo económico y social.

CE10      Comprender los elementos diferenciadores de los problemas internacionales en función del grado de desarrollo de un país.

CE11      Saber relacionar críticamente acontecimientos y procesos actuales y del pasado.

CE12      Saber plantear y resolver problemas básicos de contenido económico, social, político y en el contexto internacional.

CE13      Conocer los principios del análisis coste-beneficio y su aplicación a problemas básicos

CE14      Saber diseñar y evaluar programas políticos y socio-económicos viables y sostenibles dirigidos a la mejora social.

CE15      Saber diseñar y evaluar programas de mejora en la gestión y en la calidad de los servicios públicos o privados.

CE16      Saber realizar estudios de caso y aplicar el método comparado para analizar instituciones, procesos y políticas de diferentes países.

CE17      Saber analizar y resolver un problema del ámbito disciplinar del Grado aplicando los conocimientos, habilidades y herramientas y estrategias adquiridas o desarrolladas en el mismo.

Basic Skills

CB1        Students have demonstrated possession and understanding of knowledge in an area of study that builds on the foundation of general secondary education, and is usually at a level that, while relying on advanced textbooks, also include      

CB2        Students are able to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the competences usually demonstrated through the development and defence of arguments and problem solving within their field of study.

CB3        Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) in order to make judgements which include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues.

CB4        Students should be able to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.        

CB5        Students will have developed the learning skills necessary to undertake further study with a high degree of autonomy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

General Skills

CG1       To know the main elements and factors, both structural and dynamic, that shape and influence political reality           

CG2       To be able to recognize the social, political, cultural and religious diversity of contemporary societies and the relevance and transversality that democratic values and human rights have in these societies                          

CG3       To be able to study the social and political reality using the scientific method, from a critical perspective and recognizing the variety of theoretical and methodological approaches of the different subdisciplines and specialities in Political Science.                                                                        

CG4       Saber trasladar los conocimientos y habilidades adquiridos para afrontar problemas de orden práctico en los diferentes ámbitos en los que se concretan las salidas profesionales/To know how to apply the theoretical knowledge and skills into practical professional problems.                              

CG5       To be able to communicate effectively and produce and defend, both orally and written, well-built arguments within the field of Political Science.                 

Transversal Skills

CT1        To be able to work in multidisciplinary and international teams         

CT2        To demonstrate the ability of planning and organizing your work, the ability of reaching the right decisions by taking into consdieration the available information and the abilty of gathering and interpreting relevant data to make good judgments in your area of study                   

CT3        To have the basic humanistic knowledge to complete the student's transversal training profile                                                            

CT4        To know and be able to handle interpersonal skills on initiative, responsibility, negotiation, emotional intelligence, etc., as well as calculation tools that allow consolidating the basic technical skills that are required in every professional field                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Specific Skills                                                                                                                                  

CE1        To identify, understand and know how to use the main theoretical and conceptual approaches and frameworks of the different areas of specialty and the subdisciplines of Political Science        

CE2        To analyse the political systems structure and functioning and their interaction with the environment                 

CE3        To know the structure and functioning of political institutions and their interrelation with the remaining components of the political system         

CE4        To analyse political actors¿ behaviour, political participation¿s processes and the role of citizens in contemporary democracies                    

CE5        To know the different components of the electoral systems and to be able to recognize how they interact with the electoral process.                  

CE6        To know the main Political Philosophy trends, the main contemporary political theories and ideologies and those linked to contemporary political movements; and to be able to analyze, taking all these thoeries into account, political phenomena and problems.                     

CE7        To understand and use the concepts of social structure and social change, their interdependence and their relationship with the political and economic system, especially with regard to the Spanish case        

CE8        To be aware of the relevance of the Constitution and its role in democratic states; and to know the Spanish Constitution¿s principles and rights and its normative value                                                                       

CE9        To recognize the historical dimension of political and social processes and to explain them by taking such dimension into account.          

CE10      To describe the structure of public administrations at their different levels, the relationships between them, the legal framework that drives their activity, and the principles and methods of public planning and management.  

CE11      To know the key issues and the different phases of the public budget cycle and the legal framework that regulates it.         

CE12      To understand the economic dimension of the public sector and the domestic and international economic environment               

CE13      To know how to analyze public policies as well as how to design, plan, implement and evaluate public programs and projects      

CE14      To identify the key theories of international relations and to connect them with the domestic political processes.                   

CE15      To know the European political systems, how European Union policies are created and how they influence member Satate' policies.           

CE16      To know the most important theoretical contributions and the principles that guide scientific research in the field of Social Sciences; and to know how to apply statistical methods and research techniques to produce, collect, analyze and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data.   

CE17      To know and exploit the basic political communication and consulting techniques and instruments.      

CE18      To use information and communication technologies (ICT) for political analysis and public management, and to examine their impact on the political system                           

CE19      To understand and use the concepts of social psychology when analyzing individuals' political attitudes, cognition and behavior                      

CE20      To know the National and European policies and legal framework on integration, migration and cultural diversity, as well as the main theories and comparative evidence on integration processes and attitudes towards immigration, discrimination, xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia                

CE21      To be able to plan, develop and write research projects using the theoretical knowledge and the methodological tools of political science                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

RA1. Haber adquirido conocimientos avanzados y demostrado una comprensión de los aspectos teóricos y prácticos y de la  metodología de trabajo en el campo de Estudios Internacionales con  una profundidad que llegue hasta la vanguardia del  conocimiento.

RA2. Poder, mediante argumentos o procedimientos elaborados y sustentados por ellos mismos, aplicar sus conocimientos, la comprensión de estos y sus capacidades de resolución de problemas en ámbitos laborales complejos o profesionales y especializados que requieren el uso de ideas creativas e innovadoras.

RA3. Tener la capacidad de recopilar e interpretar datos e informaciones sobre las que fundamentar sus conclusiones incluyendo, cuando sea preciso y pertinente, la reflexión sobre asuntos de índole social, científica o ética en el ámbito de Estudios Internacionales.

RA4. Ser capaces de desenvolverse en situaciones complejas o que requieran el desarrollo de nuevas soluciones tanto en el ámbito académico como laboral o profesional dentro del campo de Estudios Internacionales.

RA5. Saber comunicar a todo tipo de audiencias (especializadas o no) de manera clara y precisa, conocimientos, metodologías, ideas, problemas y soluciones en el ámbito de Estudios Internacionales.

RA6. Ser capaces de identificar sus propias necesidades formativas en su campo de estudio y entorno laboral o profesional y de organizar su propio aprendizaje con un alto grado de autonomía en todo tipo de contextos (estructurados o no).

RA1. Possess advanced knowledge and skills in Political Science, both related to theoretical issues and of a practical or methodological nature.

RA2. Will be able to collect data, produce information and use it to base their reflections and judgements on social and political reality.

RA3. Will be able to apply the skills and knowledge acquired to solve problems in complex situations and in academic or professional work environments that require creative or innovative ideas.

RA4. Will be able to present and communicate to all types of audiences - specialised or not - problems and solutions that can be approached from Political Science as well as the knowledge and methodologies that are linked to them

RA5. You will be able to identify your training needs in your field of study and work or professional environment and will be able to organise your learning autonomously and independently of the type of context

External internships

This is a selection in which students of this degree can do their internships:

• Pricewaterhousecoopers Auditores S.L.
• CSIC-IEGD
• Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económico (OCDE)
• Everis
• MAEC
• Fundación Mujeres por Africa
• Grupo Telecopy Cartera Empresarial S.L.
• Federación Española de Municipios y Provincias
• Instituto Elcano de Estudios Estratégicos
• CSIC
• Grupo Acciona
• Auren Consultores S.P., S.P.L.
• Schottel GmbH
• CSIC-Instituto de Políticas y Bienes Públicos
• ONG Acción Contra el Hambre
• ONG Movimiento ATD Cuarto Mundo

Career opportunities

Career Opportunities for the Degree in International Studies :

International Studies is oriented to preparing graduates to pursue careers in these profesional fields:

• Business intelligence and corporate strategy in multinational firms, nation brands, strategic planning for cities and metropolitan areas, etc
• Public administration
• International organizations and non-govermental organizations
• Political Paries
• Think-tanks and national and international research centers and observatories
• Political consulting and strategic communication
• Investigative journalism
• Education and research and consulting related to both

Career Opportunities for the Degree in Political Science:

• Equal opportunity agent
• Civil administration of the state
• Citizen participation agent
• Political advisor
• Diplomat
• Teacher
• Political scientist
• International projects and programs manager
• Demographer
• Public opinion expert
• Cooperation and development prjects manager
• Political adivisor
• Political analyst
• Corporate social responsibility technician
• Media and communication

Schedules and calendars

Schedule in dual Bachelor in International Studies and Political Science

Academic calendar

Exams calendar (first semester)

Exams calendar (second semester)

Exams calendar ( recovery test)

Schedules and calendars

Schedule in dual bachelor

Academic calendar

Exams calendar (first semester)

Exams calendar (second semester)

Exams calendar (recovery tests)