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Applied linguistics addresses real-life language problems through insights gained from current linguistic theory, psychology and education. Our MA is designed for people who want to know more about how foreign or second languages (particularly English) are learned, and how different kinds of classroom practice might affect proficiency.

We're well-established in political science, asking difficult questions to find important answers. How do you put an end to armed conflict? What are the benefits and consequences of intervention? What role do non-governmental organisations play in the prevention and resolution of conflict? Is immigration linked to terrorism? Does climate change affect transnational migration patterns? Our course helps you understand the evolving field of conflict resolution, exploring the causes and effects of destructive conflict across the world, and scrutinising the theory and practice of how it can be managed peacefully.

Over the last three decades, political economy has been one of the fastest growing approaches in the social sciences. At Essex, we are primarily interested in the scientific study of political institutions and how they might determine economic variables.

How do political scientists explain political outcomes? How does normative theory inform the way researchers approach their work? How do political science approaches differ from historical accounts of political phenomenon? How can political science be used to analyse the real world? Our MA Political Science gives a general overview of such topics, and as our most flexible postgraduate course offers you a very wide choice of optional modules.

What is the relationship between migration, social policy and welfare? What are the social and cultural challenges that international migration and forced migration has for both sender and receiving societies? Our course uniquely explores the study of migration through a sociological perspective, investigating how these challenges shape policy agendas with particular attention to issues surrounding social integration, rights and multiculturalism.

Please note MA American Literatures has been temporarily suspended for the academic year 2023-2024. Gain a rich understanding of the variety and interconnections of American writing, exploring major poetic, fictional, non-fictional and dramatic works.

How do investors make their decisions? How do firms arrange their finances? Our MA Financial Economics is designed for those whose first degree isn't in economics but who want to understand the financial aspects of economics in greater depth.Are you particularly interested in the financial aspects of economics? Do you want answers to questions such as, what drives stock prices? How should assets be allocated among a portfolio of possible investments? How do international financial markets work? Is it true that they suffer from systemic risk? If so, welcome home.

How has the notion of 'Freudian unconscious' shaped Western culture and been transmitted around the world? How does the unconscious affect us individually and socially? How can an individual and their culture be viewed from a psychoanalytic perspective? Our MA Psychoanalytic Studies will give you a unique and fascinating way of exploring how the unconscious affects both individuals and societies and cultures.

Politics is about psychology. Everything – tweeters sharing fake news, protestors chaining themselves to railings, delegates refusing to budge on climate targets, leaders invading their neighbours – boils down to the opinions, decisions and behaviour of individuals, and understanding those is the territory of psychology.

How do firms choose which markets to enter? How should contracts be designed to maximize incentives? Our MA Financial Economics is designed for those whose first degree isn't in economics but who want to understand industrial strategy, management as well as core economics in greater depth.