Political Sciences (SPO)

Studenti nel cortile interno
In-person programme
Political Sciences (SPO)
Course sheet
A.Y. 2026/2027
Bachelor
L-36 R - Scienze politiche e delle relazioni internazionali
Bachelor
180
ECTS
Access
Limited enrolment with admission test
3
Years
Course location
Milano
Language
Italian
The degree course in Political Sciences aims to provide adequate basic knowledge and methodological skills typical of an interdisciplinary education in the economic, legal, political, sociological and historical fields, aimed at understanding and analysing the fundamental structures and processes of contemporary societies from a comparative perspective. The comparative perspective is fundamental both in enabling students to form a clear perception of the different political and institutional realities existing at national and global level, and as an indispensable tool for the knowledge and understanding of the basic theoretical assumptions of law and political science and the functioning of institutions. Each curriculum allows for in-depth study of different disciplinary perspectives and themes by providing specific conceptual and methodological tools.
The Bachelor in Political Sciences course aims to provide a solid and versatile preparation that can be used in different working environments. The multidisciplinary characterisation of the course, which is a fundamental asset, enables students to acquire knowledge and skills that can be used in different contexts. By exposing students to a plurality of perspectives, it also fosters the development of general skills, the ability to adapt to a variety of contexts and functions, as well as an elasticity of approach that enables them to deal with situations and problems of a different nature.
In relation to the chosen curriculum, students can also acquire more in-depth knowledge and skills relating to the various institutional spheres and the administrative, communicative and organisational processes that take place in them, as well as knowledge and the ability to analyse economic problems, political, social and historical phenomena, and Italian and European legal norms and institutions, also in a comparative perspective.
Political sciences graduates will therefore be able to find work in the public and private sectors, in companies and other organisations operating at local, national, transnational and international level, including: press and communications agencies, including telematics; employment agencies; newspapers and publishing; schools and universities; research centres in the humanities and social sciences; banks; organisations operating in the third sector (social cooperatives, NGOs, non-governmental organisations, etc.); political and trade union organisations; public administrations; consultancy firms.
It should also be noted that a high percentage of graduates continue their studies.

In the variety of functions that can be performed, job profiles include:

Public administration management workers
Administration, communication and organisation officers
Information gathering, management and transfer officers
Human resources management experts
Analysts of economic, political and social processes
Communication professionals
Commercial, financial and insurance agents
Technicians in the organisation and management of production factors and/or orally, resulting in a grade in thirtieths, in accordance with the University regulations.

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
We strongly suggest to take advantage of the possibilities offered by the Erasmus+ project.
Our students may spend up to three terms (two semesters) in a foreign university, in the framework of the Erasmus+ agreements signed by the University of Milano. Students can follow the courses offered in partner universities, take their exams, complete their research and write the essay for their final thesis. All these activities will be recognized as part of their duties according to their predefined "Learning agreement".
Our Bachelor program has Erasmus+ exchange agreements with 8 European foreign universities, in the field of social and political sciences, economics, history and law. Some of these agreements are in common with other Ba programmes of the Faculty of Political, Social and Economic sciences. More specifically, we offer up to 24 exchange positions with universities in Spain, 14 in Germany, 14 in France, 5 in Denmark, 2 each for Norway, Portugal and Spain, and 1 in the United Kingdom.
In the period abroad students must obtain at least 18 Ects. Before leaving, they will have to prepare their "Learning agreement" together with professor Beatrice Magni, in charge for the Erasmus+ program. After their return, they will have to complete the procedure for the recognition of the Ects earned abroad with the Erasmus office of the Department of Social and Political Sciences.

PROGRAMMA ERASMUS+ TRAINEESHIP
There is even the possibility of paid internships in foreign companies or organizations, for a period of up to 12 months, according to the Erasmus+ placement framework.
Course attendance is highly recommended.
Enrolment
Admission to the degree programme requires applicants to have a high school diploma or an equivalent suitable qualification from abroad.
To be admitted to the course students must sit an examination to check their linguistic-communication capabilities, in addition to taking an online test (TOLC-E) organised by the Consortium of Interuniversity Integrated Access Systems (CISIA). Subject knowledge for admission will be deemed acceptable if the scores in the selection band have been achieved.
Students whose score is lower than the value stated in the selection band, limited to the area of verbal comprehension, will be assigned an additional learning obligation (OFA), which must be met and approved within the first year of the course.
The University organises specific tutoring support for the successful completion of the OFA. Additional information is available on the University study portal of the Faculty of Political, Economic & Social Sciences.
If students fail to satisfy the OFA within the required timescale, the following year they will be unable to sit the examinations for the years subsequent to the first year.

English OFA

To fulfil the Additional Learning Requirement (Obbligo Formativo Aggiuntivo - OFA) in English and take the English exam included in the study plan, students are required to have a B2 level of proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
This level of proficiency can be certified as follows:
- by submitting an official language certificate at B2 level or higher, issued no more than three years before the submission date. The list of language certificates recognized by the University is available at https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322.
The certificate must be uploaded during enrolment or later through the portal http://studente.unimi.it/uploadCertificazioniLingue.
- by taking a placement test administered by the University Language Centre (SLAM) between October and December of the first year. Students who do not pass the test will be required to attend a language course offered by SLAM.
The placement test is compulsory for all students who do not already hold a valid certificate.
Students who do not take the placement test by the end of December, or who fail the end-of-course test after six attempts, must obtain a language certificate privately in order to fulfil the OFA and sit the English exam.

Places available: 300 + 5 reserved for non-EU citizens + 5 reserved for students in the Marco Polo project

Call for applications

Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.

Session: 1

Application for admission: from 12/03/2026 to 11/06/2026

Application for matriculation: from 18/06/2026 to 30/06/2026

Read the Call

Session: 2

Application for admission: from 02/07/2026 to 28/08/2026

Application for matriculation: from 03/09/2026 to 10/09/2026

Read the Call

Programme description and courses list
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
History of Political Theories 6 40 Italian GSPS-03/A
Political Science 9 60 Italian GSPS-02/A
Second trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Public Law 9 60 Italian GIUR-05/A
Sociology 9 60 Italian GSPS-05/A
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Contemporary History 9 60 Italian HIST-03/A
Microeconomics 9 60 Italian ECON-01/A
Optional activities and study plan rules
1 - Students must obtain 3 ECTS in one of the following courses.
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American is reserved for those who have a placement or certification of English level B2
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) 3 0 French Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) 3 0 German Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) 3 0 Spanish Open sessions NN
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (3 ECTS) 3 0 English Open sessions NN
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Applied Social Research 6 40 Italian GSPS-05/A
Comparative Social Policy 9 60 Italian GSPS-02/A
European Union Politics and the European Social Model 9 60 Italian GSPS-02/A
Language in Politics 6 40 English ANGL-01/C
Macroeconomics 9 40 Italian ECON-01/A
Political Philosophy 6 40 Italian GSPS-01/A
Private Law 6 40 Italian GIUR-01/A
Social Research Methodology 12 80 Italian GSPS-05/A
Statistics 9 60 Italian STAT-01/A
be activated by the A.Y. 2028/2029
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Comparative Politics 6 40 Italian GSPS-02/A
Final Exam 6 0 Italian NN
Italian Political System 9 60 Italian GSPS-02/A
Philosophy and Politics of Law 9 60 Italian GIUR-17/A
Public Philosophy 9 60 Italian GSPS-01/A
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) 3 0 French NN
Additional Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) 3 0 German NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) 3 0 Spanish NN
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (3 ECTS) 3 0 English NN
Ai Literacy 3 30 Italian INFO-01/A
Optional activities and study plan rules
2 - Students must obtain 12 ECTS from elective courses.
3 - Students must obtain 3 ECTS in one of the following activities: further training activities; internships; workshops
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) 3 0 French Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) 3 0 German Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) 3 0 Spanish Open sessions NN
Ai Literacy 3 30 Italian Open sessions INFO-01/A
Prerequisites between courses:
a) Private law is preparatory to the Comparative Private Law of Persons and Markets;
b) Public law is preparatory to Administrative Law, European Union Law, International Law, Comparative Public Law, Immigration Law, Philosophy and Policy of Law;
c) Microeconomics is preparatory to Macroeconomics;
d) Political science is preparatory to Comparative Social Policy, Italian Political System, European Political System and Social Model, Comparative Politics;
e) Sociology is preparatory to Methodology of social research; Culture and society; Inequality, stratification and social mobility; Institutional companies, markets; Emotional relationships, families and life courses; Sociology of communication; Sociology of work; States, nations, democracy; Political Communication
f) Statistics is preparatory to applied social research;
g) Methodology of social research is preparatory to Applied Social Research;
h) Contemporary history is preparatory to History and culture of law, History of political and social movements, History of migrations and migration policies, Political and social history of the modern age, History of work.
It is also strongly recommended to take the Statistics exam before Social Research Methodology.
The fulfillment of the additional training obligations (OFA) relating to the access disciplinary skills is preparatory to the second and third year exams.
The fulfillment of the B2 level linguistic training obligations is preparatory to the Language in Politics exam.
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
History of Political Theories 6 40 Italian GSPS-03/A
Political Science 9 60 Italian GSPS-02/A
Second trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Public Law 9 60 Italian GIUR-05/A
Sociology 9 60 Italian GSPS-05/A
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Contemporary History 9 60 Italian HIST-03/A
Microeconomics 9 60 Italian ECON-01/A
Optional activities and study plan rules
1 - Students must obtain 3 ECTS in one of the following courses.
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American is reserved for those who have a placement or certification of English level B2
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) 3 0 French Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) 3 0 German Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) 3 0 Spanish Open sessions NN
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (3 ECTS) 3 0 English Open sessions NN
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Comparative Private Law 9 60 Italian GIUR-11/A
International Law 6 40 Italian GIUR-09/A
Language in Politics 6 40 English ANGL-01/C
Law and Social Change 9 60 Italian GIUR-17/A
Macroeconomics 9 40 Italian ECON-01/A
Political Philosophy 6 40 Italian GSPS-01/A
Private Law 6 40 Italian GIUR-01/A
Social Research Methodology 12 80 Italian GSPS-05/A
Statistics 9 60 Italian STAT-01/A
be activated by the A.Y. 2028/2029
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
European Integration and Market Regulation 9 60 Italian GIUR-03/A
European Union Law 9 60 Italian GIUR-10/A
Final Exam 6 0 Italian NN
Immigration Law 9 60 Italian GIUR-05/A
Optional
Administrative Law 6 40 Italian GIUR-06/A
Comparative Public Law 6 40 Italian GIUR-11/B
Optional activities and study plan rules
4 - Students must obtain 6 ECTS in one of the following courses
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Administrative Law 6 40 Italian Open sessions GIUR-06/A
Comparative Public Law 6 40 Italian Open sessions GIUR-11/B
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) 3 0 French NN
Additional Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) 3 0 German NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) 3 0 Spanish NN
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (3 ECTS) 3 0 English NN
Ai Literacy 3 30 Italian INFO-01/A
Optional activities and study plan rules
2 - Students must obtain 12 ECTS from elective courses.
3 - Students must obtain 3 ECTS in one of the following activities: further training activities; internships; workshops
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) 3 0 French Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) 3 0 German Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) 3 0 Spanish Open sessions NN
Ai Literacy 3 30 Italian Open sessions INFO-01/A
Prerequisites between courses:
a) Private law is preparatory to the Comparative Private Law of Persons and Markets;
b) Public law is preparatory to Administrative Law, European Union Law, International Law, Comparative Public Law, Immigration Law, Philosophy and Policy of Law;
c) Microeconomics is preparatory to Macroeconomics;
d) Political science is preparatory to Comparative Social Policy, Italian Political System, European Political System and Social Model, Comparative Politics;
e) Sociology is preparatory to Methodology of social research; Culture and society; Inequality, stratification and social mobility; Institutional companies, markets; Emotional relationships, families and life courses; Sociology of communication; Sociology of work; States, nations, democracy; Political Communication
f) Statistics is preparatory to applied social research;
g) Methodology of social research is preparatory to Applied Social Research;
h) Contemporary history is preparatory to History and culture of law, History of political and social movements, History of migrations and migration policies, Political and social history of the modern age, History of work.
It is also strongly recommended to take the Statistics exam before Social Research Methodology.
The fulfillment of the additional training obligations (OFA) relating to the access disciplinary skills is preparatory to the second and third year exams.
The fulfillment of the B2 level linguistic training obligations is preparatory to the Language in Politics exam.
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
History of Political Theories 6 40 Italian GSPS-03/A
Political Science 9 60 Italian GSPS-02/A
Second trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Public Law 9 60 Italian GIUR-05/A
Sociology 9 60 Italian GSPS-05/A
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Contemporary History 9 60 Italian HIST-03/A
Microeconomics 9 60 Italian ECON-01/A
Optional activities and study plan rules
1 - Students must obtain 3 ECTS in one of the following courses.
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American is reserved for those who have a placement or certification of English level B2
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) 3 0 French Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) 3 0 German Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) 3 0 Spanish Open sessions NN
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (3 ECTS) 3 0 English Open sessions NN
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Applied Social Research 6 40 Italian GSPS-05/A
Language in Politics 6 40 English ANGL-01/C
Macroeconomics 9 40 Italian ECON-01/A
Political Communication 9 60 Italian GSPS-06/A
Political Philosophy 6 40 Italian GSPS-01/A
Private Law 6 40 Italian GIUR-01/A
Social Inequality, Stratification and Mobility 9 60 Italian GSPS-05/A
Social Research Methodology 12 80 Italian GSPS-05/A
Statistics 9 60 Italian STAT-01/A
be activated by the A.Y. 2028/2029
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Culture and Society 9 60 Italian GSPS-06/A
Final Exam 6 0 Italian NN
Institutions, Markets and Society 9 60 Italian GSPS-08/A
States, Nations and Democracy 9 60 Italian GSPS-07/A
Optional
Intimate Relationships, Family and Life Course 6 40 Italian GSPS-06/A
Sociology of Labour 6 40 Italian GSPS-08/A
Optional activities and study plan rules
5 - Students must obtain 6 ECTS in one of the following courses
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Intimate Relationships, Family and Life Course 6 40 Italian Open sessions GSPS-06/A
Sociology of Labour 6 40 Italian Open sessions GSPS-08/A
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) 3 0 French NN
Additional Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) 3 0 German NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) 3 0 Spanish NN
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (3 ECTS) 3 0 English NN
Ai Literacy 3 30 Italian INFO-01/A
Optional activities and study plan rules
2 - Students must obtain 12 ECTS from elective courses.
3 - Students must obtain 3 ECTS in one of the following activities: further training activities; internships; workshops
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) 3 0 French Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) 3 0 German Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) 3 0 Spanish Open sessions NN
Ai Literacy 3 30 Italian Open sessions INFO-01/A
Prerequisites between courses:
a) Private law is preparatory to the Comparative Private Law of Persons and Markets;
b) Public law is preparatory to Administrative Law, European Union Law, International Law, Comparative Public Law, Immigration Law, Philosophy and Policy of Law;
c) Microeconomics is preparatory to Macroeconomics;
d) Political science is preparatory to Comparative Social Policy, Italian Political System, European Political System and Social Model, Comparative Politics;
e) Sociology is preparatory to Methodology of social research; Culture and society; Inequality, stratification and social mobility; Institutional companies, markets; Emotional relationships, families and life courses; Sociology of communication; Sociology of work; States, nations, democracy; Political Communication
f) Statistics is preparatory to applied social research;
g) Methodology of social research is preparatory to Applied Social Research;
h) Contemporary history is preparatory to History and culture of law, History of political and social movements, History of migrations and migration policies, Political and social history of the modern age, History of work.
It is also strongly recommended to take the Statistics exam before Social Research Methodology.
The fulfillment of the additional training obligations (OFA) relating to the access disciplinary skills is preparatory to the second and third year exams.
The fulfillment of the B2 level linguistic training obligations is preparatory to the Language in Politics exam.
Learn more
Milano
Course locations
via Conservatorio, 7 - 20122 Milano
Erasmus and international mobility tutor 
Internship tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Contacts

For students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes, tuition fees are to be paid in two instalments:

  • the amount of the first instalment is the same for all students and is due upon enrolment
  • the amount of the second instalment varies according to each student's ISEE University value and the degree programme in which they are enrolled
  • for international students with income and assets abroad, the second instalment varies according to their country of origin.

Education incentive programmes and other benefits

The University offers scholarships, cafeterias, subsidised accommodation and other forms of financial support to students meeting specific economic and merit requirements.

More information