Dr. Laurent Goetschel

Professor

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Biography

Laurent Goetschel is a professor of political science at the University of Basel and the director of the Swiss Peace Foundation (swisspeace). He studied political science and international relations at the University of Geneva and the Institut de hautes études en relations internationales (IUHEI). His professional background includes serving as a visiting scholar at the Center for European Studies at Harvard University and at the Center for International Conflict Resolution at Columbia University. He has also led the national research program 'Schweizer Aussenpolitik' (NFP42) and worked as a lecturer at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Bern, as well as a personal assistant to Switzerland's Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey. His research interests focus on peace, conflict studies, and foreign policy analysis. He is a member of the Commission Research Partnerships for Developing Countries (KFPE).

Research Interests

Experience

Director

— Present

Swiss Peace Foundation (swisspeace) • Basel

Leading the organization focused on peace-building initiatives.

Professor

— Present

University of Basel • Basel

Teaching and conducting research in political science.

Requirements for University of Basel

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:95
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with at least 180 ECTS Specific ECTS requirements in core subjects (e.g., 90 ECTS in Math/CS for Data Science)
Application Checklist
  • Bachelor's degree certificate or current transcript of records
  • Diploma Supplement (if available)
  • CV/Resume
  • Copy of valid passport or ID card
  • Evidence of language proficiency (C1 level recommended for English/German programs)
  • Proof of payment of application fee (CHF 100)
Specialization Notes

The University of Basel generally requires C1 level proficiency in the language of instruction. For most English-taught Masters, TOEFL (min 92-95) or IELTS (min 7.0) is the standard.