University of Birmingham - College of Social Sciences
MA/PGDip in Politics
Birmingham, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
07 May 2024*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
GBP 24,120 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* deadline for International students I 30 August 2024 deadline for Home students
** for full-time International students | for full-time UK students: £10,530 | part-time UK students: £5,265 per year
Introduction
Our Masters in Politics offers you insights into the causes and consequences of a variety of different political phenomena across the globe.
On our MA in Politics, you will explore key controversies in political science from a variety of different perspectives. You will be introduced to the major concepts in political science and learn to apply those concepts and approaches to explain the variety of political phenomena across the globe. You will learn through a blend of lectures, seminars and individual research.
The Politics MA examines central questions of political science related to power, the state and the sources of political change. It is designed for students who are either familiar with the study of political science and issues at the undergraduate level or who are enthusiastic to focus on this area of study at the postgraduate level.
You will take two core modules, Doing Political Research and Varieties of Politics that will provide you with a foundation for thinking about the subject. You then design the rest of the programme around your own interests by selecting four modules from a wide range of options. The flexibility of this programme is ideal for those with a broad range of interests in politics or for those who want to construct a curriculum around a particular area of interest.
As a postgraduate student studying for a Masters in Politics, you will also have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of events. You will be welcomed as a member of a variety of research groups, including those focused on British Politics, Asian Politics, Middle East Politics, European Studies, Political Economy, Parties, Voters and Elections. This group includes members of academic staff and postgraduate research students who meet regularly to discuss their own research, and recent publications and to organise research events including inviting visiting speakers.
Key issues and questions examined throughout this Masters in Politics include:
- Where does power lie and how is it exercised?
- What is the role of the state and what is its relationship to society?
- Why are democracies not ubiquitous and why do we see a mixture of democratic and non-democratic regimes across the globe?
- Why do democracies vary in their form and content?
- Who wins elections and why?
- What role do electoral systems, social context and campaigning play in determining election outcomes?
- Why does political conflict emerge and how can it be managed?
Why study this course?
- Choose from an extensive range of optional modules
- Study in a supportive environment with research-active political scientists
- Be a part of one or more of the research groups e.g. British Politics, Asian Politics, Middle East Politics, European Studies, Political Economy, and Parties, Voters and Elections
- Participate in a range of intellectual and social events alongside your programme
Gallery
Ideal Students
This Masters in Politics will be of interest and benefit to those interested in government, the civil service, international organizations and NGOs. In all cases, students are encouraged to work closely with staff in a supportive and intellectually committed environment.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
The University has a number of awards for UK/EU and overseas candidates starting a one-year Master's programme, some of which are region- and country-specific scholarships.
To award outstanding achievement and to attract students of the highest calibre from around the world, the University of Birmingham is pleased to offer a number of international scholarships.
- Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
- MSc in Development Policy and Politics (with Mo Ibrahim Foundation Internship)
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
- Bursaries for IDD degrees by research
- Other scholarships and bursaries at IDD
Curriculum
Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2024.
Compulsory modules
- Doing Political Research
- Varieties of Politics: The Comparative Politics of Parties, Institutions and Regimes
- Dissertation
Optional modules
You will choose 4 modules from the POLSIS optional modules list.
In POLSIS, we are proud of the extensive range of modules that are available to our students allowing you to tailor your course and study topics that interest you the most.
All modules are 20 credits and are available as options on postgraduate taught POLSIS programmes where the module is not compulsory.
- China and the World
- Conflict, Statehood and Sovereignty in World Politics
- Contemporary Perspectives on Conflict
- Contemporary Security Challenges
- Dilemmas in International Relations
- Diplomacy and Statecraft
- Doing Political Research
- Fear, Cooperation and Trust in World Politics
- Gender and Development
- Gender, Peace & (In)security
- Global Cooperation on Global Problems
- Global Environmental Governance
- Globalisation and Governance
- Grand Strategy
- International Political Economy
- International Relations Theory
- Nuclear Weapons in International Relations
- Security Studies
- Varieties of Politics: The Comparative Politics of Parties, Institutions and Regimes
- United States Foreign and Defence Policy
Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates from the School have gone on to work in a range of careers, with recent graduates working with organisations such as the United Nations, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, local authorities in the UK and overseas and the Department for International Development.
The School takes employability very seriously and as well as linking students to the central careers services, also incorporates opportunities to enhance their employment prospects, including highlighting work experience opportunities, encouraging volunteering in extra-curricular projects (such as student seminars and events) and inviting backgrounds for students to meet.
Careers Networks
The Career Networks provides a dedicated service to help you find work experience or internship opportunities outside of your studies, either part-time during term-time, or over the summer vacation.
Right from the start of your degree, you will have access to our interactive careers service, through which many regional, national and international employers advertise their vacancies, and your college internship officers will go out and about to find vacancies that will be a useful addition to your CV.