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Political Science Schools and Programs in Spain

27 schools in Spain teach Political Science.

Political Science

SLU-Madrid’s political science program adopts a theoretical and pragmatic understanding of intricate international processes that are important to all nations. The goal of the program is to form leaders who comprehend the world today and have the tools to examine key changes in global politics. Saint Louis University offers a BA in Political Science with a concentration in international relations which can be completed in Madrid. As well as this, students have the opportunity to start their studies in other political science disciplines, such as American politics, political thought or comparative politics, and then finish their degree at the St. Louis campus. Student can also choose to complete the minor in political science, which supplements nearly all of the majors offered in Madrid. Students wanting to earn a master's degree in political science can apply to take graduate courses in SLU’s B.A. to M.A. five-year program.
Level: Undergraduate Bachelors  
Language of instruction: English  
Location: Madrid

Political Science

Bircham University’s Political Science program covers political science, its history, methodology, important ideologies, various perspectives and measurable techniques. It demonstrates the political theory by means of a proportional approach between governments and politics. It also delivers an overview of the development of political science in several countries and debates recent changes in the American political scene. Subjects covered on this course include: Comparative Politics: The West, Comparative Politics: Middle East, Comparative Politics: The Far East, East-West International Relations, Political Theory, Political Science, Social Welfare, Environmental Policies, Political Sociology, Cross Cultural Social Perspectives, Industrialized Countries Economy, Global Political Economy, Third World & Developing Nations, World Politics & Globalization and Philosophy of Ethics & Law. Subjects account for 3 academic credits each. The Political Science program is available at Specialist, Expert, Bachelor's, Master's & Ph.D. (Doctoral) Degree program levels.
Level: Undergraduate Bachelors  
Language of instruction: English  
Location: Villanueva de la Cañada

Political Science Studies in Spain

Political science studies how power is organised and used: governments, parliaments, parties, elections, public administration and international politics. In Spain it is a four-year university degree offered by public and private universities, under names such as Ciencia Política y de la Administración, Ciencias Políticas or Ciencia Política y Gestión Pública. Most programmes are taught in Spanish, so a good command of the language is needed.

How the degree is organised

Under Royal Decree 822/2021, Spanish bachelor's degrees (grados) have 240 ECTS credits, organised as 60 credits per year, and master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 credits. A political science degree therefore lasts four years. The first years cover the foundations of political science, sociology, law, economics and statistics; later years add public policy analysis, electoral analysis, comparative politics and policy evaluation, as in the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid's curriculum.

Many degrees let students specialise. At the Universidad de Salamanca students choose between a political science and a public administration track from the sixth semester, and the elective credits include a 9-credit work placement. The Universidad de Granada's degree has 60 elective credits and a track in comparative politics and international studies. UNED, the national distance-learning university, offers three tracks: political analysis, international studies, and governance and public policy.

Double degrees are common. Salamanca, for example, combines political science with law and with sociology.

Where to study political science in Spain

Madrid, Barcelona and Salamanca have the most schools in our directory for this subject. Examples of universities with an official degree in the subject listed in RUCT, the Ministry's register of official degrees:

  • Madrid region: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Getafe campus)
  • Barcelona area: Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Universitat Abat Oliba CEU and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Bellaterra)
  • Salamanca and Santiago de Compostela: Universidad de Salamanca and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
  • Andalusia: Universidad de Granada and Universidad Pablo de Olavide (Seville)
  • Murcia and the Valencia region: Universidad de Murcia, Universidad Miguel Hernández (Elche) and Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera
  • Basque Country: Universidad del País Vasco
  • Online and distance learning: UNED and the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)

Programme sizes and entry marks vary. The Universidad de Salamanca offers 60 first-year places for 2026-27, taught in Spanish, and its last published cut-off mark (July 2025) was 7.962. At Carlos III the degree is taught in Spanish, and students must certify a B2 level of English before they finish. In Catalonia, the Valencia region, Galicia and the Basque Country some classes may be taught in the co-official language, so check the language of each course.

Admission and recognition

Students who finished secondary school outside Spain usually apply first to UNEDasiss, the UNED service that assesses international students' records and runs the tests needed to enter Spanish bachelor's degrees. The application for a place is then made at each university within its own deadlines.

Royal Decree 889/2022 sets out how foreign university degrees are recognised in Spain: equivalence (equivalencia) certifies the academic level of a degree, convalidation (convalidación) lets you continue university studies, and homologation (homologación) is needed only for regulated professions.

Master's degrees

After the grado, students can specialise with an official master's degree (máster universitario). Examples in RUCT include the Máster Universitario en Ciencia Política at the Universidad de Salamanca, the Máster Universitario en Ciencia Política / Master in Political Science at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and UNED's distance master's in political analysis, public policy and international politics.

Careers

Universities describe public administration and political analysis as the main career paths. The Universidad de Salamanca lists jobs at all levels of public administration, from local to international bodies including the European Union, roles in political institutions, associations, polling and consultancy firms, advisory work for companies, and teaching and research. Carlos III notes that graduates also find work in NGOs, foundations and international cooperation bodies.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a political science degree take in Spain?

The bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits and lasts four years. An official master's degree adds 60, 90 or 120 credits.

Can I study political science in Spain online?

Yes. UNED and the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) both offer an official distance-learning degree in political science and administration.

Is the degree taught in English?

Most degrees are taught in Spanish. Some universities require English as well: Carlos III, for example, asks students to certify a B2 level of English before they graduate.

How do I apply with a secondary school qualification from another country?

Most students apply for accreditation through UNEDasiss, which assesses international students' records for access to Spanish bachelor's degrees, and then apply to each university within its deadlines.