International Programme in Politics and Economics – IPPE

A unique international multidisciplinary programme

The International Programme in Politics and Economics (IPPE)is the only international multidisciplinary programme in Sweden that offers a bachelor’s degree in politics and economics. Furthermore, University West offers an intimate campus environment without the usual barriers between academic staff and students. Here, your professors are easily accessible to answer questions, hold discussions and provide individual feedback.

Students and staff come from Sweden, Europe and across the globe – all continents are represented. This gives your programme a truly international, multicultural study environment that is also highly personal – in addition to a lively, stimulating student life.

Work and study internationally

International perspectives are included at every stage, and the entire programme is taught in English. IPPE cooperates with universities in Europe, Africa, the USA, Australia and Asia. We also have special bilateral agreements with University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa, and San José State University in California, USA, for staff and student exchanges.

• Study abroad in Europe or any other continent, or stay in Sweden – your choice.
• Hold an internship abroad or in Sweden.
• Get additional financial support for studies and internships in Europe. Prepare for professional work across cultural as well as national borders to develop, implement and lead projects handling politically and economically oriented issues.

Work Integrated Learning

University West is Sweden’s leading university for Work Integrated Learning (WIL). The university was tasked with the development of WIL by the Swedish government 15+ years ago and continues to lead the field today. WIL allows you to put your knowledge and skills into practice within real-world contexts, including projects, evaluations and analyses conducted in collaboration with civil society.

As an IPPE student, you’ll have important experiences both outside and inside the classroom. Your programme gives you easy access to academic faculty and encourages your growth academically, professionally, socially, emotionally and ethically. In addition to providing relevant knowledge and skills, IPPE prepares you to support cultural diversity as well as consider issues of gender, equality and sustainability in the work that you do. In Sweden, we are known for our success in implementing responsible political and economic processes and policies.

Strong foundation for career or further studies

Graduates from the IPPE are very attractive to employers both in businesses and in nonprofit organisations. This degree opens doors to further studies and research or a career in industry, both in Sweden and abroad.

Programme structure and content

IPPE is divided into four progressively challenging phases. Each semester includes a study period of 20 weeks.

Phase 1 (semesters 1-3)

• Thematic multidisciplinary undergraduate studies, including focus areas of politics, economics and international relations

Phase 2 (semesters 4) 

• In-depth focus on politics

Phase 3 (semester 5)

• Strong international focus through studying abroad or internship abroad (students can opt to stay in Sweden if preferred)

Phase 4 (semester 6)

• Includes a research project demonstrating in-depth knowledge, skills and values needed to work with political-economic issues responsibly in an international context

Course overview

The total programme is 180 credits:

• Introduction to Political Thought, 15 credits
• Comparative Politics and Public Administration, 15 credits
• International Politics and Globalization, 7,5 credits
• Global Political Economy, 7,5 credits
• Micro Economics, 7,5 credits
• Macro Economics, 7,5 credits
• Security Studies, 7,5 credits
• International Law and Organizations, 7,5 credits
• International Economics, 7,5 credits
• Finance and Politics, 7,5 credits
• Contemporary Political Thought, 7,5 credits
• Sweden in a Post-Colonial World, 7,5 credits
• The Fundamentals of Political Science Methods, Including Academic Thesis, 15 credits
• Work Integrated Learning in Politics and Economics I, 15 credits
• Work Integrated Societal Studies, 15 credits
• Work Integrated Learning in Politics and Economics II, 15 credits
• Applied Project Management, 15 credits
• The Study of Politics II - Theory and Method, 15 credits
• Research Project in Political Science, 15 credits

Educational methods

You’ll be using a wide range of pedagogical tools to learn and grow in the field, such as presentations, teamwork and problem-based learning. IPPE is a full-time study programme dependent on your active participation. Excluding the elective semester, the approximate distribution of educational methods in your programme is as follows:

• Lectures (50%)
• Seminars (10%)
• Practical/group work (15%)
• Thesis work (15%)
• Independent or self-study (10%)

Degree

Upon completion of this bachelor’s programme you will receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA, 180 credits) with a specialisation in Political Science and Economics.

Programme syllabus

Programme description

Further education

With the IPPE Bachelor’s Degree, you can apply for further studies at the postgraduate level within political science or related fields, in Sweden or internationally.

University West also offers a natural continuation of your studies at postgraduate level in form of a full two-year international Master’s Programme in Work Integrated Political Studies (WIPS). The programme is a joint venture with University of the Western Cape in South Africa, given entirely in English. WIPS focuses on applied political-economic studies conducted in close collaboration with civil society. Upon completion of the WIPS Master’s Programme, you are qualified to apply for PhD studies within Work Integrated Learning at University West.

Career

With your international IPPE education, employment opportunities include local and national public administration, the EU and other international institutions, as well as non-governmental organisations. Other possibilities include careers in industry and commerce, within and outside of Sweden.

IPPE alumni have made careers as planners, project leaders, administrators and analysts in municipalities, regional authorities, state organisations, NGO’s and international organisations as well as banks and private companies.

Admission requirements

You will be considered for admission to the International Programme in Politics and Economics if you fulfil the following entry requirements.

Previous education

The equivalent of a Swedish upper secondary/high school diploma (general entry requirement) with minimum specific entry requirements for mathematics and social studies

See programme syllabus for more details.

English language requirement

The English language requirement is the equivalent of English studies at the upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden. Learn about proof of English proficiency.

If you have any questions, please send us an email at study@universitywest.se

Application procedure

University West uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application period, which starts from mid-October. The application procedure basically consists of three steps:

• Apply online on www.universityadmissions.se
• Submit your documents on www.universityadmissions.se . (Deadline will be confirmed in your application confirmation, generally around two weeks after the application deadline.)
• Pay the application fee (if applicable) on www.universityadmissions.se . (Deadline will be confirmed in your application confirmation, generally around two weeks after the application deadline.)

More detailed information about the application procedure.

We follow the documents that is written at Universityadmissions.se (additional specifik documents besides that).

Application fee

Students with citizenship in countries not within the EU/EEA or Switzerland are required to pay an application fee in order to get their application processed. The application fee is SEK 900 (Swedish kronor).

Not sure if you need to pay the application fee? This list of questions will help you.

Tuition fee

For the academic year 2025/2026 the tuition fee for this programme will be SEK 105,000 per year. You will pay the tuition fee per semester (in six instalments)

Students with citizenship in countries outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees for university studies in Sweden. For more information about tuition fees and exceptions you can check Universityadmissions.se

Scholarships

University West does not offer scholarships for students in undergraduate programmes.