Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA)
The master degree in Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA) is an advanced interdisciplinary programme offering high-level competences in political science and philosophy. The program provides both a solid theoretical background and a practical sense of the challenges and opportunities connected to current political and social-economic phenomena and trends.
The study plan includes a common core of courses addressing cutting-edge topics in political science, in moral and political philosophy - topics which are specifically selected for their relevance within public debates. Core courses also provide accurate historical competences, apt to rigorously frame similar debates, as well as advanced training in empirical methodologies and argumentative strategies, which will strengthen students' analytical capacities and their ability to assess and defend normative and policy proposals.
The second year of the programme offers the opportunity to study in depth a wide array of topics organized into two main areas. The first area - "Technology, science and society" - includes courses critically addressing the import and the ethical implications of scientific and technological development, with a special emphasis on pressing questions concerning environmental studies, bioethics, neuroethics, biopolitics, on the challenges of the information society and on the new dynamics of media systems. The second area - "Prosperity, peace and international affairs" - comprises courses focusing on current socio-economic and political developments and their effects on individual life chances and rights, social policies and schemes of distributive justice as well as courses addressing the dilemmas connected to new forms of war and conflict. Within these two main areas, students will have the chance to autonomously define their study plan according to their interests and based on the professional profile they intend to develop.
The study plan includes a common core of courses addressing cutting-edge topics in political science, in moral and political philosophy - topics which are specifically selected for their relevance within public debates. Core courses also provide accurate historical competences, apt to rigorously frame similar debates, as well as advanced training in empirical methodologies and argumentative strategies, which will strengthen students' analytical capacities and their ability to assess and defend normative and policy proposals.
The second year of the programme offers the opportunity to study in depth a wide array of topics organized into two main areas. The first area - "Technology, science and society" - includes courses critically addressing the import and the ethical implications of scientific and technological development, with a special emphasis on pressing questions concerning environmental studies, bioethics, neuroethics, biopolitics, on the challenges of the information society and on the new dynamics of media systems. The second area - "Prosperity, peace and international affairs" - comprises courses focusing on current socio-economic and political developments and their effects on individual life chances and rights, social policies and schemes of distributive justice as well as courses addressing the dilemmas connected to new forms of war and conflict. Within these two main areas, students will have the chance to autonomously define their study plan according to their interests and based on the professional profile they intend to develop.
Political consultant
Function in a work context:
The political consultant: analyzes political and socio-economic phenomena, highlighting their dynamics and paying attention particular attention to their medium or long-term developments and their regulatory implications; examine
central issues in public debate and highlights the factors to bear in mind when addressing them; make assessments comparison between the various lines of intervention available, taking into account both feasibility criteria and considerations of regulatory nature; develops intervention proposals and provides advice on the development of strategies medium and long term in the light of the opportunities or problems associated with current trends in the political sphere, social and economic.
Skills associated with the function:
To carry out the functions indicated, the following are required: multidisciplinary skills, which concern both disciplines philosophical, both the social and political sciences; ability to critically examine political and socio-economic phenomena complex and to grasp both the dynamics and possible developments, and the implications of a regulatory nature; ability to
analysis and interpretation of empirical data; argumentative skills; transversal relational skills, communication, organization and management.
Employment opportunities:
Local, national and international institutions and public bodies; study center of political parties and political organizations, of interest groups and trade associations, non-governmental organizations and the Italian third sector e
international.
Political science specialist
Function in a work context:
The specialist in political science: carries out research on political and socio-economic phenomena; process research projects; formulates interpretative and explanatory hypotheses; collects and critically examines empirical data;
draws up research reports and produces informative and scientific publications; coordinates projects at national level, European or international research groups and activities aimed at disseminating research results.
Skills associated with the function:
To carry out the functions indicated, the following are required: specialist knowledge in political science, sociology and economic; ability to interpret complex political and socio-economic phenomena from one perspective multidisciplinary, capturing its specificity, dynamics and implications with respect to issues of public importance; ability to analyze and interpret data through qualitative and quantitative methodologies; ability to process
research designs that are rigorous and consistent with the topics addressed; transversal relational skills, communication, organization and management.
Employment opportunities:
Organizations, institutions and research centres, public or private, which operate at a local, national or international level. Furthermore, graduates who will obtain credits in sufficient numbers in appropriate groups of sectors will be able, according to the legislation currently in force, participate in the admission tests for secondary education training courses.
Philosophy specialist
Function in a work context:
The specialist in philosophical disciplines conducts research in the philosophical field; elaborates research projects; formula interpretative hypotheses regarding the regulatory implications associated with political and socio-economic phenomena and/or scientific and technological developments; comparatively examines the lines of intervention available with respect to problems of public relevance and formulates arguments and criteria to discriminate between them; draws up research reports; accomplish informative and scientific publications; coordinates projects at national, European or international level, research groups and activities aimed at disseminating research results.
Skills associated with the function:
To carry out the indicated functions, the following are required: specialist knowledge in the philosophical field and a preparation multidisciplinary approach that allows for the interpretation of complex political and socio-economic phenomena, capturing their regulatory implications; logical and argumentative skills; skills with respect to the methods of analysis philosophical; ability to develop rigorous research designs consistent with the topics addressed; transversal skills of relational, communicative, organizational and managerial character.
Employment opportunities:
Organizations, institutions and research centres, public or private, which operate at a local, national or international level. Furthermore, graduates who will obtain credits in sufficient numbers in appropriate groups of sectors will be able, according to the legislation currently in force, participate in the admission tests for secondary education training courses.
Specialist of companies, organizations and public and private entities
Function in a work context:
The specialist in companies, organizations and public and private entities holds positions that involve high responsibilities of a strategic, managerial and operational nature; coordinates working groups; carries out activities in the design sector, of work planning, communication and marketing.
Skills associated with the function:
To carry out the functions indicated, the following are required: multidisciplinary skills that allow both to design wide-ranging strategies, which take into account a multiplicity of factors, and to effectively coordinate groups of
work trained by professionals with diversified skills; critical analysis and interpretation skills political, social and economic trends; forecasting and adaptive capacity; transversal character skills relational, communicative, organizational and managerial.
Employment opportunities:
Public administration; public and private bodies, non-governmental organizations and the third sector that need figures able to deal with strategic, managerial and communication aspects; private companies inserted in national contexts e international or in the global market.
Cultural manager
Function in a work context:
The Cultural Manager develops and coordinates cultural projects and initiatives; analyze the characteristics and trends of the cultural question; researches and manages resources for the organization of cultural initiatives; plans and manages courses training, also aimed at a non-specialist public, aimed at disseminating culture and related topics to current events; collaborates in the preparation of training and information material and in the realization of editorial projects.
Skills associated with the function:
To carry out the indicated functions, the following are required: multidisciplinary preparation which facilitates the development of a specific sensitivity regarding the cultural sphere and which allows the acquisition of skills to frame phenomena cultural backgrounds of social and political trends; analysis, forecasting and planning skills; skills transversal of a relational, communicative, organizational and managerial nature.
Employment opportunities:
Companies operating in the communication, publishing and journalism sector and, more generally, in the sector of the cultural industry; foundations, institutes and public and private bodies engaged in the realization of cultural projects and involved in scientific and cultural dissemination activities.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Function in a work context:
The political consultant: analyzes political and socio-economic phenomena, highlighting their dynamics and paying attention particular attention to their medium or long-term developments and their regulatory implications; examine
central issues in public debate and highlights the factors to bear in mind when addressing them; make assessments comparison between the various lines of intervention available, taking into account both feasibility criteria and considerations of regulatory nature; develops intervention proposals and provides advice on the development of strategies medium and long term in the light of the opportunities or problems associated with current trends in the political sphere, social and economic.
Skills associated with the function:
To carry out the functions indicated, the following are required: multidisciplinary skills, which concern both disciplines philosophical, both the social and political sciences; ability to critically examine political and socio-economic phenomena complex and to grasp both the dynamics and possible developments, and the implications of a regulatory nature; ability to
analysis and interpretation of empirical data; argumentative skills; transversal relational skills, communication, organization and management.
Employment opportunities:
Local, national and international institutions and public bodies; study center of political parties and political organizations, of interest groups and trade associations, non-governmental organizations and the Italian third sector e
international.
Political science specialist
Function in a work context:
The specialist in political science: carries out research on political and socio-economic phenomena; process research projects; formulates interpretative and explanatory hypotheses; collects and critically examines empirical data;
draws up research reports and produces informative and scientific publications; coordinates projects at national level, European or international research groups and activities aimed at disseminating research results.
Skills associated with the function:
To carry out the functions indicated, the following are required: specialist knowledge in political science, sociology and economic; ability to interpret complex political and socio-economic phenomena from one perspective multidisciplinary, capturing its specificity, dynamics and implications with respect to issues of public importance; ability to analyze and interpret data through qualitative and quantitative methodologies; ability to process
research designs that are rigorous and consistent with the topics addressed; transversal relational skills, communication, organization and management.
Employment opportunities:
Organizations, institutions and research centres, public or private, which operate at a local, national or international level. Furthermore, graduates who will obtain credits in sufficient numbers in appropriate groups of sectors will be able, according to the legislation currently in force, participate in the admission tests for secondary education training courses.
Philosophy specialist
Function in a work context:
The specialist in philosophical disciplines conducts research in the philosophical field; elaborates research projects; formula interpretative hypotheses regarding the regulatory implications associated with political and socio-economic phenomena and/or scientific and technological developments; comparatively examines the lines of intervention available with respect to problems of public relevance and formulates arguments and criteria to discriminate between them; draws up research reports; accomplish informative and scientific publications; coordinates projects at national, European or international level, research groups and activities aimed at disseminating research results.
Skills associated with the function:
To carry out the indicated functions, the following are required: specialist knowledge in the philosophical field and a preparation multidisciplinary approach that allows for the interpretation of complex political and socio-economic phenomena, capturing their regulatory implications; logical and argumentative skills; skills with respect to the methods of analysis philosophical; ability to develop rigorous research designs consistent with the topics addressed; transversal skills of relational, communicative, organizational and managerial character.
Employment opportunities:
Organizations, institutions and research centres, public or private, which operate at a local, national or international level. Furthermore, graduates who will obtain credits in sufficient numbers in appropriate groups of sectors will be able, according to the legislation currently in force, participate in the admission tests for secondary education training courses.
Specialist of companies, organizations and public and private entities
Function in a work context:
The specialist in companies, organizations and public and private entities holds positions that involve high responsibilities of a strategic, managerial and operational nature; coordinates working groups; carries out activities in the design sector, of work planning, communication and marketing.
Skills associated with the function:
To carry out the functions indicated, the following are required: multidisciplinary skills that allow both to design wide-ranging strategies, which take into account a multiplicity of factors, and to effectively coordinate groups of
work trained by professionals with diversified skills; critical analysis and interpretation skills political, social and economic trends; forecasting and adaptive capacity; transversal character skills relational, communicative, organizational and managerial.
Employment opportunities:
Public administration; public and private bodies, non-governmental organizations and the third sector that need figures able to deal with strategic, managerial and communication aspects; private companies inserted in national contexts e international or in the global market.
Cultural manager
Function in a work context:
The Cultural Manager develops and coordinates cultural projects and initiatives; analyze the characteristics and trends of the cultural question; researches and manages resources for the organization of cultural initiatives; plans and manages courses training, also aimed at a non-specialist public, aimed at disseminating culture and related topics to current events; collaborates in the preparation of training and information material and in the realization of editorial projects.
Skills associated with the function:
To carry out the indicated functions, the following are required: multidisciplinary preparation which facilitates the development of a specific sensitivity regarding the cultural sphere and which allows the acquisition of skills to frame phenomena cultural backgrounds of social and political trends; analysis, forecasting and planning skills; skills transversal of a relational, communicative, organizational and managerial nature.
Employment opportunities:
Companies operating in the communication, publishing and journalism sector and, more generally, in the sector of the cultural industry; foundations, institutes and public and private bodies engaged in the realization of cultural projects and involved in scientific and cultural dissemination activities.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent Italian or foreign degree is required for admission.
All applicants with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy (L-5 or equivalent Italian or foreign degree) or Political sciences and international relations (L-36 or equivalent Italian or foreign degree) will be considered for admission.
Applicants with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in other disciplinary fields will be considered for admission only if they acquired, in their previous academic studies, at least 12 credits (CFU/ECTS or equivalent) in the following subjects: political philosophy (SPS/01); history of political thought (SPS/02); political science (SPS/04), political sociology (SPS/11); moral philosophy (M-FIL/03); philosophy of law (IUS/20).
Proficiency in English at a B2 level or higher per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B2-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate of B2 or higher level issued no more than three years before the date of admission application. You will find the list of language certificates recognized by the University at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322. The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application, including levels based on language certificates submitted by the applicant during their Bachelor's degree at the University of Milan. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the application;
- Placement test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/)
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the placement test.
Applicants who do not take or pass the placement test will be required to obtain a language proficiency certificate recognized by the University (see https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and deliver it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/).
Applicants who do not meet the requirement by said deadline will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and may not sit any further tests.
Applications are evaluated by an ad-hoc Admission Board. Applicants may be invited to attend an online interview to check if they possess the basic knowledge and the skills necessary to successfully attend the course.
All applicants with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy (L-5 or equivalent Italian or foreign degree) or Political sciences and international relations (L-36 or equivalent Italian or foreign degree) will be considered for admission.
Applicants with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in other disciplinary fields will be considered for admission only if they acquired, in their previous academic studies, at least 12 credits (CFU/ECTS or equivalent) in the following subjects: political philosophy (SPS/01); history of political thought (SPS/02); political science (SPS/04), political sociology (SPS/11); moral philosophy (M-FIL/03); philosophy of law (IUS/20).
Proficiency in English at a B2 level or higher per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B2-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate of B2 or higher level issued no more than three years before the date of admission application. You will find the list of language certificates recognized by the University at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322. The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application, including levels based on language certificates submitted by the applicant during their Bachelor's degree at the University of Milan. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the application;
- Placement test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/)
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the placement test.
Applicants who do not take or pass the placement test will be required to obtain a language proficiency certificate recognized by the University (see https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and deliver it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/).
Applicants who do not meet the requirement by said deadline will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and may not sit any further tests.
Applications are evaluated by an ad-hoc Admission Board. Applicants may be invited to attend an online interview to check if they possess the basic knowledge and the skills necessary to successfully attend the course.
As part of the Erasmus+ programme, PPPA has entered into agreements with the following universities:
- Europa-Universität Flensburg (Germany)
- Heidelberg University (Germany)
- Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania)
- University of Bayreuth (Germany)
- University of Bremen (Germany)
- University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
- University of Warsaw (Poland)
PPPA also participates in the 4EU+ programme, which allows students to attend online courses offered by the European universities which are part of the 4EU+ European University Alliance: https://4euplus.eu/4EU-1.html
- Europa-Universität Flensburg (Germany)
- Heidelberg University (Germany)
- Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania)
- University of Bayreuth (Germany)
- University of Bremen (Germany)
- University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
- University of Warsaw (Poland)
PPPA also participates in the 4EU+ programme, which allows students to attend online courses offered by the European universities which are part of the 4EU+ European University Alliance: https://4euplus.eu/4EU-1.html
Attendance is not compulsory, but highly recommended.
Courses list
First trimester
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Conflicts, Political Arrangements and Legitimacy | 9 | 60 | English | SPS/01 |
The Western Tradition: Moral and Political Values | 12 | 80 | English | M-FIL/06 SPS/02 |
Second trimester
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Critical Thinking and Argumentation | 3 | 20 | English | |
Differences and Non-Discrimination: Rights in Action | 6 | 40 | English | IUS/07 |
Economy and Society: Past, Present and Perspectives | 6 | 40 | English | SECS-P/04 |
Rationality, Rules and Institutions | 9 | 60 | English | SECS-P/01 |
Third trimester
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Ethical Theory and Hard Choices | 6 | 40 | English | M-FIL/03 |
Political Order, Violence and Institutions | 9 | 60 | English | SPS/04 |
Optional | ||||
Contemporary Challenges: Labor Market and Inequalities | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/09 |
Contemporary Challenges: Migrations and Cultural Diversity | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/10 |
Optional activities and study plan rules
2 - Students must earn 6 credits/ects by selecting 1 course among those listed below.
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contemporary Challenges: Labor Market and Inequalities | 6 | 40 | English | Third trimester | SPS/09 |
Contemporary Challenges: Migrations and Cultural Diversity | 6 | 40 | English | Third trimester | SPS/10 |
be activated by the A.Y. 2025/2026
First trimester
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Journalism, Media and Politics | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/08 |
Second trimester
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Dirty-Hands Politics: Theories and Practices | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/01 |
Global Challenges to Democracy | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/04 |
Justice and International Affairs | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/01 |
Media Ethics | 6 | 40 | English | M-FIL/03 |
Neuroethics and Human Enhancement | 6 | 40 | English | M-FIL/03 |
Undefined
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Environmental Ethics | 6 | 40 | English | M-FIL/03 |
Frontiers in Bioethics | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/01 |
Liberal Rights and Social Justice | 6 | 40 | English | IUS/20 |
Reasoning with Data | 6 | 40 | English | M-FIL/02 |
The Politics of Mobility, Displacement and Asylum | 6 | 40 | English | M-DEA/01 |
The Welfare State and Social Innovation | 6 | 40 | English | SPS/04 |
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Final Exam | 21 | 0 | English |
Optional activities and study plan rules
1 - Students must earn 18 credits/ects by selecting 3 courses among those listed below.
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dirty-Hands Politics: Theories and Practices | 6 | 40 | English | Second trimester | SPS/01 |
Environmental Ethics | 6 | 40 | English | Undefined | M-FIL/03 |
Frontiers in Bioethics | 6 | 40 | English | Undefined | SPS/01 |
Global Challenges to Democracy | 6 | 40 | English | Second trimester | SPS/04 |
Journalism, Media and Politics | 6 | 40 | English | First trimester | SPS/08 |
Justice and International Affairs | 6 | 40 | English | Second trimester | SPS/01 |
Liberal Rights and Social Justice | 6 | 40 | English | Undefined | IUS/20 |
Media Ethics | 6 | 40 | English | Second trimester | M-FIL/03 |
Neuroethics and Human Enhancement | 6 | 40 | English | Second trimester | M-FIL/03 |
Reasoning with Data | 6 | 40 | English | Undefined | M-FIL/02 |
The Politics of Mobility, Displacement and Asylum | 6 | 40 | English | Undefined | M-DEA/01 |
The Welfare State and Social Innovation | 6 | 40 | English | Undefined | SPS/04 |
Third trimester
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Lab: Quantitative Methods for Empirical Research | 3 | 20 | English | SPS/04 |
Undefined
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Italian | |
Advanced Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | French | |
Advanced Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | German | |
Advanced Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Spanish |
Optional activities and study plan rules
3 - Students must earn 12 credits/ects for elective activities (additional courses of their choice)
4 - Students must earn 3 credits/ects choosing from advanced computer or language skills, internships, work, workshops and other activities.
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Italian | Undefined | |
Advanced Language Skills: French (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | French | Undefined | |
Advanced Language Skills: German (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | German | Undefined | |
Advanced Language Skills: Spanish (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Spanish | Undefined |
Head of Study Programme
Erasmus and international mobility tutor
Internship tutor
Reference structures
Contacts
- Services for students with disabilities check here:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-disabilities - Services for students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-specific-learning-disabilities-sld - Student registrar
Via S. Sofia 9/1 - 20122 Milano (MI) Italia
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/welcome-desk-informastudenti - Contact:
pppa@unimi.it
Enrollment
First year enrolment: ✔
Admission
Open with entry requirements examination
Admission
Application for admission: from 22/01/2024 to 30/06/2024
Application for matriculation: from 08/04/2024 to 15/01/2025
Attachments and documents
Please note
Non-EU students visa applicants are required to apply for admission no later than 30 April 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be evaluated and it will in no case be possible to request the refund of the admission fee.
A.Y. 2023/2024
A.Y. 2022/2023
A.Y. 2021/2022
A.Y. 2020/2021
A.Y. 2019/2020