The MA Politics is a one-year full-time degree starting in January or October, with a two-year part-time option for October starters.
Study advanced political ideas, institutions and power structures, analysing how states, movements and global actors shape political outcomes. Gain expert analytical and research skills that equip you to interrogate complex political issues and prepare for a wide range of careers or postgraduate research.
Why this course
The MA Politics gives you the insight and flexibility to examine political ideas in action, helping you understand how governments, global institutions and public policy shape societies. With options to choose your start date, study mode and modules, you can tailor the degree around your interests, ambitions and professional goals.
You’ll develop advanced analytical and research skills that are valued across sectors, from public service and policy to media and international organisations. Learn in a department whose research informs governments and global bodies, giving you direct exposure to how political decisions are formed, negotiated and implemented.
Through hands-on research, case studies and a flexible module pathway, you’ll build the practical expertise and confidence to move into a wide range of roles - or continue into further postgraduate research.
Who should apply
Graduates who want to build a degree around their interests, schedule, and career goals
Students who are curious about how political thought translates into real-world practice
Future policymakers, analysts, or journalists seeking insight into politics at domestic and global levels
Aspiring researchers preparing for doctoral study in political science, international relations, or political behaviour
What you’ll learn
Political systems and society: Analyse how political structures, ideas, and policies shape communities, from justice to public opinion
Global issues: Explore international relations, the economy and the state, and global environmental challenges
Applied political analysis: Examine how political thought informs real-world decisions and policy outcomes
Research design and methods: Learn to ask the right questions, select appropriate tools, and turn evidence into actionable insights that drive policy change or support advanced research.
Your learning experience
Greater curriculum control: Shape your modules around your interests and career goals, giving you more choice than most MA Politics programmes
Flexible study options: Start in January or October, with part-time study available from October
Expert insights: Learn in a department whose research informs governments, media, and global organisations
Specialist facilities: Engage with industry-standard political analysis software, networked labs, and experimental research opportunities
Careers and outcomes
The MA Politics degree prepares you for influential careers in sectors and roles such as:
Government & public service: Civil Service, parliamentary staff, central and local government officers
International organisations: UN, NATO, World Bank, EU, and other global institutions
Policy and research: Think tank analysts, political consultants, risk and intelligence researchers
Media and communications: Political journalists, public affairs specialists, campaign strategists
Academia and further study: Doctoral researchers and lecturers in political science, international relations, and political behaviour
Employers of our graduates
Graduates from the Department of Government have held senior roles across government, international organisations, and public service, including:
UK Civil Service (Home Office, Foreign Commonwealth Development Office)
A 2.2 degree or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:
American Studies
Economics
Finance
International Relations
International Studies
Political Science
Political Studies
Statistics
United States Politics
OR
A 2.2 degree in any subject which includes study in two relevant modules. Relevant modules include, but are not limited to:
Comparative Political Systems
Constitutional Democracy
Contemporary World Affairs
Current Affairs
Democratic Theory
Econometrics
European Integration/ Dynamics of Integration
Foreign Policy/ Comparative Foreign Policy
Game Theory
Governmental Processes/ Systems
Human Rights
Ideology and Political Analysis
International Economic Law
International Economic Relations
International Trade/Business Law
International Law
International Public Relations
International Security
International Trade/Business Law
Law of Armed Conflict
Micro/Macro Economics
Peace Studies
Philosophy (MA Political Theory only)
Political Conflict
Political Decision Making
Political Economy
Political Sociology
Political Studies
Public Administration
Public International Law
Public Policy Analysis
Quantitative Reasoning
Security Studies
Strategic Studies
Terrorism
Theories of Development
The following may also be considered:
Applicants with a degree in an unrelated subject and have at least 5 years of work experience, such as working with a NGO, UN, or government. Please provide your CV.
Applicants with a lower class degree where relevant modules have been studied with marks of 2:2 or above.
Applicants who have achieved a first class degree in any subject.
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum
score of 5.5 in all components.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English
pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to
successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask
for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Structure
Course structure
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components and modules explained
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
Status
What this means
Core
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
HR
100
4
FY
The department or school the module will be taught by.
In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.
In this module you gain an overview of the logic of social science research designs that includes the goals, theories and strategies of social science research, and develop a research agenda for potential use as publication in a peer reviewed journal, MA or PhD dissertation.
Courses are designed to provide you with an advanced understanding of either the politics of a geographical area or an aspect of the discipline
Courses include both compulsory and optional modules, so the course can be tailored to fit your interests and aspirations
Learn through discussion and problem-solving
Lab sessions allow you to improve your technical research skills
We encourage students to attend national conferences to meet researchers and discuss their work
Postgraduate students in the Department of Government generally have a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar for each module every week or a two-hour seminar (in the case of smaller modules), but there are variations in place depending on the module.
Assessment
Your coursework comes in the form of essays, simulations, presentations and in-class tests
Dissertation
You are given guidance on how to prepare a Masters dissertation by our Graduate Director in the spring term
We link you with an appropriate supervisor at the earliest opportunity
We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:
tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff
If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.
We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.
For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
Chat to us
Questions about this course? Chat with Dr Nicole Baerg, Director of Postgraduate Taught Studies in the Department of Government.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
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