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Political Science

Political Science

Critical thinking in action

Political science is the study of power, authority and governance in human affairs. We examine the social, economic, cultural, historical, geographical and other forces that generate conflicts in and between societies.

Do you want to understand how decisions are made at different levels of government? Are you curious about how social justice issues affect you and the world?

Join us and learn how to evaluate different points of view and think critically about the world around you.

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Study political science at UVic

From small class sizes to hands-on and international learning, learn why you should study political science at UVic.

Learn about our programs

News & Stories

Political Science Weekly Digest for Friday, January 30, 2026

January 30, 2026

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands,...

2026 summer courses

January 7, 2026

Learn more about our 2026 summer courses. Timed-ticket registration starts Monday, March 9. Questions? Contact our POLI Undergraduate Adviser - Scott Watson.

VICMUN conference - Saturday, February 28, 2026

December 1, 2025

UVic's Model UN (MUN) Club, sponsored by the Department of Political Science, is holding their annual VICMUN conference on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. MUN was re-established after the Covid-19...

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Faculty of Social Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences is a dynamic and multi-faceted community of people. We have more than 140 regular faculty members, 200 additional adjunct, emeritus and sessional faculty, and approximately 30 support employees. Our student community includes roughly 400 graduate students and more than 4,500 undergraduate students.

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Territory acknowledgement

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.