Bachelor’s Degree in Political and Social Sciences (SPeS)

In an increasingly complex and interconnected global context, there is a growing need to educate professionals with a broad interdisciplinary background, enabling them to understand, interpret, and manage the political, economic, and social dynamics that characterize the contemporary world.

The Bachelor's Degree in Political and Social Sciences (SPeS) is a joint initiative of the Department of Economics and Management and the Department of Law of the University of Brescia.

Based within the Department of Law, the programme is designed for students who wish to understand the interconnections between global and local phenomena and acquire a versatile educational background that enables them to adapt to different professional environments and opens opportunities in a variety of fields, including the public sector, international organizations, non-profit organizations, private companies, and strategic consulting.

The degree programme aims to develop a broad range of knowledge in the field of political and social sciences, with particular emphasis on political science, law, economics, history, and sociology.

Its ultimate objective is to develop the skills required to critically assess and address complex issues related to social and economic phenomena, public and private institutions, governance in today’s changing geopolitical environment, and political participation.

In particular, the curriculum has been designed to provide students with:

solid knowledge of political, economic, sociological, legal, and historical disciplines, with particular attention to political and social processes;
methodological skills for the critical analysis of contemporary phenomena, including empirical research, data analysis, and interpretation of institutional systems;
practical skills in the analysis of social, political, and economic dynamics, with a particular focus on the public sector.

The programme is delivered through a blended learning format, combining in-person and online teaching in order to encourage the widest possible participation while preserving the benefits of direct interaction with faculty members and fellow students.

Teaching activities are also designed to foster key transferable skills, including collaboration, critical thinking, creative problem-solving, project-based work, and teamwork.

The Bachelor's Degree in Political and Social Sciences provides the academic foundation necessary for admission to the wide range of Italian Master's Degree programmes in political and social sciences, as well as programmes in law, public administration, and related fields.

The knowledge and skills acquired during the programme primarily enable graduates to continue their studies through Master's Degrees or first-level postgraduate programmes, allowing them to develop specialist expertise in a variety of sectors.

Graduates may also pursue careers in the management of public and private organizations, both for-profit and non-profit, either as internal staff members or as external consultants, generally supporting more senior professionals.

Thanks to their interdisciplinary background, graduates in Political and Social Sciences can work in all sectors that provide services to individuals and businesses, regardless of the size or legal structure of the organization.

Within these organizations, they may conduct social and political research in support of policy and research units, or hold administrative positions related to general affairs, organizational management, the provision of services to individuals and businesses, institutional relations, media relations, and international affairs.

In particular, the programme provides a strong foundation for employment within non-profit organizations and the third sector, as well as, through competitive public examinations, within local, regional, and national public administrations.

Public and Private Sector Administrative Officer / Specialist
Role in the Workplace

Graduates in Political and Social Sciences may work within public and private organizations, both profit and non-profit, either as internal staff members or external consultants. Typically, they provide support to more senior professionals and perform functions related to:

Administrative management;
Institutional relations and media relations;
International relations and cooperation activities;
Organization and management of services;
Social and political research.
Skills Associated with the Role

Graduates in Political and Social Sciences acquire the fundamental competencies required to:

Analyze the political, social, economic, and legal environments in which the organizations they work with operate;
Interpret and apply regulations necessary for effective and lawful administrative action;
Monitor and manage the delivery of services to citizens, clients, and users;
Analyze and manage relationships with customers, service users, members, and stakeholders of the organizations in which they operate;
Manage relations between institutions and communicate effectively with the media;
Collect, process, and analyze socio-demographic and economic data to support organizational decision-making processes.
Career Opportunities

Graduates in Political and Social Sciences may pursue professional careers in all sectors that provide services to individuals, communities, and businesses, regardless of the size or legal form of the organization.

In particular, their educational background facilitates employment in:

Non-profit organizations and Third Sector entities;
Public service organizations;
Associations, foundations, and NGOs;
Consultancy firms operating in the social, political, and public affairs sectors;
Public administration at local, regional, and national levels, subject to successful completion of the relevant public recruitment procedures;
Organizations involved in social research, policy analysis, and institutional relations.

The programme equips graduates with a versatile set of analytical, administrative, and organizational skills that can be applied across a wide range of professional contexts in both the public and private sectors.

The Bachelor's Degree in Political and Social Sciences (SPeS) aims to educate graduates with a strong interdisciplinary foundation, enabling them to understand, analyse, and navigate the major political, economic, social, and legal dynamics of the contemporary world. SPeS graduates are prepared to operate in complex social, political, and economic environments at the local, national, European, and international levels. The programme’s ultimate objective is to develop the skills required to critically assess and address complex issues related to social and economic phenomena, public and private institutions, governance in today’s rapidly evolving geopolitical context, and political participation.

The degree programme is distinguished by:

Its interdisciplinary approach, which balances historical and political studies with economics, gives equal importance to social and legal studies, and provides adequate space for language training.
Its focus on practical skills, fostered through laboratory activities that complement theoretical learning and develop specific applied competencies, including data analysis.
Its emphasis on digital skills, achieved through dedicated teaching activities designed to equip students with the ability to use digital and analytical tools in addressing political and social challenges.
Its attention to transferable skills (soft skills), promoted through teaching methods specifically designed to facilitate their development.
Its blended-learning delivery model, which enhances the learning experience and responds to the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. Distance learning complements in-person teaching by encouraging greater student participation in discussions and in-depth interactions, increasing accessibility, and fostering digital competencies that are increasingly valued in the modern labour market through the use of online platforms.

The curriculum is designed to provide students with:

solid knowledge in the fields of political science, economics, sociology, law, and history, with particular attention to political and social processes;
methodological skills for the critical analysis of contemporary phenomena, including empirical research, data analysis, and the interpretation of institutional systems;
practical skills in analysing social, political, and economic dynamics, with a particular focus on the public sector.

The programme is intended for students who wish to understand the interconnections between global and local phenomena and acquire a versatile educational background that enables them to adapt to different professional contexts and pursue opportunities in a wide range of fields, from the public sector and international organisations to non-profit institutions, private companies, and strategic consultancy.

The curriculum extends over three years and is structured to allow students to develop progressively advanced knowledge of the key themes within political and social sciences.

The historical and political component provides students with a sound understanding of the foundations of political science and contemporary history, as well as the evolution of institutions and political cultures.

The sociological component ensures an appropriate understanding of sociological thought and approaches to the study of social dynamics. It provides interpretative frameworks for understanding the relationships among society, institutions, and markets, while also introducing the methodologies of social research that are essential for political and economic analysis.

The economic component focuses on understanding how markets function, how economic agents make decisions, and the rationale and mechanisms of state intervention, including within a supranational perspective. This training is supported by the acquisition of appropriate statistical skills, which are also essential for political and social analysis.

The legal component provides the institutional and regulatory knowledge necessary for understanding the environments in which graduates will operate. Adequate attention is devoted to both public and private law, including international and comparative perspectives.

The mandatory language training may be supplemented on an individual basis through the acquisition of additional language skills.

The programme is further enriched through the selection of elective courses that allow students to explore specific areas of interest, the acquisition of digital competencies, and a choice between laboratory activities and internships offered in collaboration with public and private organisations. The programme concludes with the preparation of a final report.

The blended-learning model enhances the educational experience and meets the needs of an increasingly diverse student body. Distance learning complements classroom teaching by promoting more active student participation in discussions and in-depth interactions, improving accessibility for those who are employed, and helping participants develop digital skills that are increasingly important in the contemporary labour market through the use of online platforms.

In accordance with current regulations, the overall proportion of credits delivered through distance learning will not exceed 66% of the total ECTS credits.

The Academic Regulations specify which teaching activities are delivered remotely, with the aim of distributing them evenly across the three years of study and the different teaching periods. Approximately one-third of teaching activities in each teaching period will be delivered in person, while approximately two-thirds will be delivered online.

Courses delivered through the blended format will primarily include those in the fields of history and politics, sociology, and law, as well as activities aimed at developing digital and language competencies. Even for courses delivered remotely, regular in-person meetings will be scheduled in order to combine the benefits of face-to-face interaction between students and faculty, and among peers, with the advantages of remote learning.

For on-campus classes, priority will be given to schedules that are compatible with employment commitments, such as late afternoon sessions or, where feasible, Saturday morning classes.

Entry Guidance and Orientation

The Degree Programme participates in the University's entry guidance and orientation initiatives, which are organized both at the academic area level and at the institutional level. These initiatives are presented on the dedicated section of the University website, which also provides access to orientation activities specific to each academic area.

The initiatives are coordinated by a working group composed of:

The Rector’s Delegate for Orientation;
Departmental Orientation Delegates;
Staff of the dedicated organizational unit responsible for orientation services (U.O.C. Orientation).

The planning and delivery of orientation activities carried out by the U.O.C. Orientation are certified in accordance with the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 quality management standard.

Information on regular activities, news, and updated initiatives can be found on the dedicated Orientation webpage.

Ongoing Guidance and Academic Support

Tutoring initiatives are organized at the university level in accordance with the Annual Tutoring Plan, which is prepared each year by the University Tutoring Committee and approved by the Academic Senate.

The Tutoring Service contributes to ongoing student guidance with the aim of:

Promoting regular academic progression;
Supporting students throughout their studies;
Identifying and addressing issues that may contribute to academic difficulties or student withdrawal.

The administrative management of the student tutoring service is certified according to the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standard and is delivered through a dedicated organizational unit within the University's student support and welfare services.

Further information is available through the University's Tutoring Service resources.

Characteristics of the Final Examination

The final examination consists of the preparation of a written report under the supervision of a faculty advisor, in accordance with the Academic Regulations of the Degree Programme.

The report requires students to collect and critically analyze bibliographic sources and/or data relating to the cultural and professional contents of the degree programme, or activities carried out within internships or educational projects promoted by the University or external organizations.

The preparation of the final report may also be carried out, under the guidance of a faculty supervisor, within public or private organizations with which the University has established appropriate agreements.

Final Examination Procedures

The final examination is compulsory and consists of the preparation and presentation of a final report, corresponding to 3 ECTS credits (CFU).

The topic of the final report is assigned, upon request by the student, by a member of the academic or research staff of the Department of Law or the Department of Economics and Management, who acts as supervisor.

Approval of the request is subject to:

The student having obtained academic credits within the scientific-disciplinary sector of the proposed supervisor;
Compatibility with the supervisor’s teaching and supervisory workload;
The need to ensure a balanced distribution of supervisory responsibilities among academic staff and the effective use of expertise available within the Departments.

The final report may be prepared either in Italy or abroad, in accordance with the University Regulations governing the preparation of theses and final reports abroad.

The report may focus on:

Internship activities undertaken by the student; or
An in-depth study of topics covered during the degree programme.

Admission to the final examination requires the acquisition of all credits established by the degree programme curriculum, with the exception of the 3 ECTS credits awarded for the final examination itself.

Deadlines, procedures, and required documentation for admission to the final examination are published on the University website.

For the purpose of ensuring an equitable distribution of academic workload, participation in an internship does not automatically entitle a student to prepare the final report under the supervision of the academic tutor who monitored the internship.

Graduation Sessions and Examination Committee

Graduation sessions are held according to the schedule approved annually by the Degree Programme Board.

The discussion of the final examination is governed by Article 27 of the University Academic Regulations.

In accordance with these regulations, the examination committee:

Is appointed by the Directorate of the Department of Law;
Consists of at least five members, including the supervisor;
Must include a majority of tenured academic staff.

The committee is chaired by:

The full or associate professor with the greatest seniority, or
The Director of the Department, if present, or
The Chair of the Degree Programme Board, if present.

The Chair is responsible for ensuring the proper conduct of the examination and compliance with the assessment criteria established by the Degree Programme Board.

The committee meets in a public session in accordance with Article 27 of the University Academic Regulations.

Assessment of the Final Report

After considering the preliminary evaluation provided by the supervisor, the committee proceeds with the assessment of the final report submitted by the candidate.

If a committee member is unexpectedly unable to attend the examination for serious and exceptional reasons, they must immediately inform the Department Directorate and provide an explanation of the circumstances.

Where the absent member is the supervisor, the communication must include:

A brief evaluation of the candidate’s report;
A proposed score based on the assessment criteria established by the Degree Programme Board.

For the purposes of the final assessment, the committee evaluates the candidate’s overall academic maturity and achievement.

Further details concerning the final examination are set out in the relevant University regulations.

Graduation

The successful completion and public presentation of the final report represent the culmination of the Bachelor's Degree Programme and certify the achievement of the knowledge, skills, and competencies expected of graduates in Political and Social Sciences.