Political sciences and civics
A field of study in social sciences, journalism and information
Vocational or degree?Mostly higher education1 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 29,000 finished vocational training and 331,000 higher education in this field (2024). Figures for the wider field.Eurostat
Do graduates use it?59% in a matching jobof social science graduates with a degree in the EU work in a job that matches what they studied. After vocational training: 37% (small sample).All social science fields · Eurostat 2024
Do they find work?87% in workof people who finished higher education in the last 1 to 3 years in the EU (2025). Vocational training: 80%. General upper secondary only: 67%.All fields · Eurostat
What you'd learn
Government policy implementationRhetoricSocial justiceGood governanceGovernment representationPolitical scienceGovernment policyPublic administrationPoliticsDiplomatic principlesGovernment social security programmesPolitical parties+ 12 more
The knowledge areas ESCO files under this field, those most needed by jobs first. Actual programmes vary by school and country.
Where it can lead
40 jobs use what this field teaches.
| Job | Prospects | Pay | Usual study | AI exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Good | Well above average | Degree | Very low |
| City councillor | Good | Well above average | Degree | Very low |
| Member of parliament | Good | Well above average | Degree | Very low |
| Diplomat | Good | Well above average | Degree | Low |
| Government minister | Good | Well above average | Degree | Very low |
| Public affairs consultant | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Senator | Good | Well above average | Degree | Very low |
| Governor | Good | Well above average | Degree | Very low |
| Social service consultant | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Secretary of state | Good | Well above average | Degree | Very low |
| Election observer | Average | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Political affairs officer | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Special-interest groups' official | Good | Well above average | Degree | Low |
| International relations officer | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Public administration manager | Good | Well above average | Degree | Low |
| Political scientist | Average | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Community development officer | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Consul | Good | Well above average | Degree | Low |
| Sports programme coordinator | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Political party agent | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Secretary general | Good | Well above average | Degree | Low |
| Human rights officer | Average | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Election agent | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Social security officer | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Moderate |
| Employment programme coordinator | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Political campaign officer | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Central bank governor | Good | Well above average | Degree | Low |
| Psychic | Average | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Government planning inspector | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Humanitarian advisor | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Healthcare consultant | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Social security inspector | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Moderate |
| Medium | Average | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Parliamentary assistant | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Policy officer | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Astrologer | Average | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Fortune teller | Average | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Labour relations officer | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Economic policy officer | Average | Above average | Degree | Significant |
| Police commissioner | Good | Well above average | Degree | Low |
Jobs that need the knowledge this field teaches (ESCO), closest match first. This is not a record of where graduates actually end up: no EU-wide data says that per field.
Where to study
927 institutions in the EU offer social science bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.