Parmi les sciences humaines et sociales, la science politique se distingue par son intérêt pour le pouvoir. Elle étudie les phénomènes politiques dans toute leur diversité avec un intérêt particulier pour les institutions  politiques (régime constitutionnel, système électoral, État-nation, partis, etc.), les processus politiques (engagement politique, mouvements sociaux, opinion publique, etc.) et les politiques publiques (sociales, sociétales, économiques, migratoires, environnementales, etc.). Au-delà de ces trois axes centraux communément appelés polity, politics et policy, la discipline analyse également la politisation des rapports sociaux (professionnels, de genre, liés à la racialisation, au défi écologique, aux phénomènes migratoires) et les idées politiques (autour de concepts comme la démocratie ou l’égalité et de doctrines comme le libéralisme ou le socialisme).

Taught as a minor of 60 ECTS, the political science program at the University of Neuchâtel introduces students to the discipline and its main sub-fields (the study of public policy, comparative politics, political economy, political sociology) and its main methods of investigation (qualitative and quantitative).

A seminar specifically geared towards research allows students to deepen their knowledge of political sociology and to apply their theoretical and methodological expertise while conducting their own original and autonomous research project.

The rest of the program consists of courses and seminars of specialization, which students can choose from a wide range of courses within the FLSH, in other faculties (law, economics), and on mobility (BeNeFri program, Triangle Azur) during the second and third year.

Within the framework of a 180 ECTS Bachelor's degree in Humanities, the 60 ECTS Political Science program can be combined with one or two other disciplines at the FLSH. At the time of registration, the student chooses one of the three possible configurations:

• 1 reinforced major (pilier renforcé) + 1 minor (120 + 60 credits)
• 3 minors (60 + 60 + 60 credits)
• 1 major + 1 minor + 1 secondary minor (pilier minimal)  (90 + 60 + 30 credits)

The training in political science at the University of Neuchâtel stands out by its affirmation of the singularity of the discipline, while simultaneously recognizing its close links with the other social sciences and humanities. It therefore lends itself perfectly to a combination with one or several other disciplines in humanities or social sciences.

This program is intended primarily for persons who are interested in various activities in the public service sector, NGOs and international organizations, public and political relations (e.g. political parties), communication, the media, etc. It allows the acquisition of theoretical, analytical and critical skills.