ObjectivesThe research track MA in Politics aims to give you the methodological tools necessary to study politics at advanced level. The MA has three elements: research training subject specific training generic skills training The research training component will equip you with essential research methods skills. The subject specific core modules will concentrate on providing you with an understanding of the main theories and concepts employed in political science. Generic skills training will provide you with guidance in particular software applications, career-related skills such as CV building, oral presentations and class teaching. The course has full recognition from the Economic and Social Research Council. Areas of special interest include: Globalisation Environment European Integration Globalisation Security and Intelligence Terrorism Social Justice Humanitarian Intervention War Crimes Philosophy of Social Science Anglo-American Relations Corruption International Political Economy
Academic titleMA Politics
Course descriptionPolitics (Research Track) (MA)
Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Course Content
This course requires that you take the following core modules:
The Making of Political Science
Quantitative Political Analysis
Philosophy of Social Research
Designing Political Enquiry
Studying this degree will allow you to draw upon a range of modules that will deepen your understanding and develop your own interests.
You will accumulate the remaining modular credits (40 in total) by taking the generic training skills training module - Research Management and Personal Development Skills - and one further module from a list of modules available in the School of Politics and International Relations.
Please note that modules may change in order to keep abreast of political and academic developments.
Your studies will culminate in the research and writing of a 15,000-word dissertation, which must contain a strong research element. You will register your dissertation on a subject of your choice and will be allocated with a Research Supervisor to oversee your progress.
Course Structure
The MA in Politics (Research Track) can be studied on a full-time basis over one year or part-time over two years.
Teaching is spread across two semesters: Autumn, which begins in September and ends in January, and Spring, which begins in January and ends in June. The summer months between June and September are spent writing a dissertation.
The MA consists of 180 credits - 120 credits from modular taught study and 60 credits from the completion of a dissertation of around 15,000 words in length.
Assessment is typically by a mixture of coursework and examination, both of which will usually be assessed in the Semester in which the module is taught.
This course is supported by generic and research skills training courses offered by the university’s Graduate School in order to prepare you for a further three years’ doctoral study at the end of the course.
Key facts
The course has full recognition from the Economic and Social Research Council as a research training MA, therefore applicants may be eligible to apply for an ESRC ‘1+3’ Studentship.
The School of Politics was rated 24/24 for its teaching by the Quality Assurance Agency and ranked in the top ten of UK departments in most international guides