Introduction
We live in a time marked by increased tensions between the great powers, democratic crises, and a growing authoritarian trend, even in Western democracies. These changes lead to an increasing need for a better understanding of how European actors and institutions handle crises and threats.
The University of Bergen has developed a new part-time course that will provide you with the tools you need to understand and analyze the dynamics shaping Europe's future.
The course is on Master`s level. International students may take the course separately. Norwegian students may include this course as one of four courses in a Master`s program in Democray Studies, where all other courses are taught in Norwegian.
Course content
The program provides insight into Europe's strategic choices to ensure stability and security, especially in the face of increasing rivalry between great powers, wars in neighboring regions, and the many other security challenges we face. The teaching combines theoretical frameworks with practical experience from leading actors in the field.
Upon completion of the program, you will have in-depth knowledge of theories related to the state, democracy, European integration, and security cooperation. You will also be able to analyze European security challenges through empirical comparative studies in European countries and neighboring areas such as North Africa and Russia.
How is the course organized?
The teaching consists of three weekend sessions during the autumn semester. You can choose whether to participate physically or digitally via Zoom in the three weekend sessions. The lectures will also be recorded and published afterwards on the course page in Mitt UiB. This way, you can watch the lectures later if you are unable to attend the teaching on the given weekend.
In addition, there will be some online teaching via UiB's learning platform Mitt UiB.
It is not mandatory to attend the weekend sessions, but we strongly recommend that you participate either physically or digitally to get the full benefit of the course.
Weekend sessions dates Autumn 2025
- 5-7 September
- 3-5 October
- 7-9 November
Exam
Submission of a semester paper of up to 4500 words towards the end of the semester. Exact deadline for submission will be announced later.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements
You must fulfil both of the following admission requirements:
- Bachelor's degree, cand.mag. degree, or equivalent degree or basic education with a minimum scope of three years/180 ECTS credits
- At least two years of relevant work experience, preferably full-time paid work
Particularly long and relevant experience beyond the minimum requirement of two years can, upon further assessment, replace up to one year of the education requirement (60 ECTS credits).
If you have worked in part-time positions, the number of months/years must be added together so that this amounts to at least two years of full-time work experience.
What is relevant work experience?
You must document that you have at least two years of relevant work experience from an organization or in a public or private enterprise. This might be within areas like politics, human rights, journalism, police, defence or military, or other fields where european security politics are relevant.
You are also welcome to apply if you lack sufficient paid work experience but have extensive experience with voluntary/unpaid work related to the field. You must then document this with a CV and certificates showing that you have done relevant voluntary work for approximately two years.
Additionally, you must document that you have at least two years of other work experience.
Required documentation
In order for us to process your application, we need you to upload and attach documentation showing that you meet the admission requirements:
- Diploma/transcript from higher education
- CV
- Confirmation of relevant work experience/relevant voluntary work
- A copy of your valid passport 
If you have your education from UiB or other public universities/colleges in Norway, we will usually have access to see this, and you do not need to upload anything.
If you have education from a country outside Norway we ask you to upload diplomas/transcripts along with your application.
You must also upload your CV and a certificate from previous relevant employment, or a work confirmation from, for example, your immediate supervisor/HR that documents the employment (position and duration/scope). The same applies to documentation of other relevant experience, from organizations/voluntary work, etc.
Employment contracts/CVs alone are not sufficient documentation.
Study costs
Tuition fee
The tuition fee for this course is NOK 30 000.
The tuition fee includes all costs for teaching and exams. Additional costs: Course literature and expenses for travel/accommodation if you choose to attend the three weekend sessions physically in Bergen.
The invoice for the tuition fee will be sent out before course start.
In principle, the invoice for the tuition fee will be sent to you personally. If your employer is to pay the tuition fee, your employer must fill out a form with invoice information. You will receive information about this when we send out the confirmation of your study place.
All students, both domestic and international, will without any exceptions have to pay the same study fee.
UiB do not offer any scholarships.
Semester Fee
Everyone who studies with us must also pay a mandatory, personal semester fee of NOK 650 per semester. The semester fee goes to Sammen – the Student Welfare Organization in Western Norway and is intended to cover common welfare benefits and services for all students.
You will receive further information on how and when the semester fee should be paid once you have been admitted to the course.
Do you want more information?
For any questions about academic content, organization, or teaching, you can contact the Department of Comparative Politics: