Subject

Politics and international relations

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Politics and international relations
Your finger is on the pulse of current affairs. 

You thrive off the unpredictable nature of the political landscape. You want to have a meaningful impact on tomorrow’s world. We’re 16th in the UK for International Relations and 27th in the UK for Politics (Guardian University Guide 2024), and we are 6th in UK for research power in politics and international studies (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).

Britain leaving the EU, the Climate Emergency, COVID-19 response – there is no better time to study politics than now. 

Why study here?
  • We are 6th in UK for research power in politics and international studies (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).
  • We're in the top 100 globally, and ranked 9th in the UK for Politics and International Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2023)
  • We're 16th in the UK for International Relations in the Guardian University Guide (2024)
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Chat with Maria Isabel, a BA International Relations student

Fancy discovering what student life at Essex is like? Want to learn more about the department? Why not talk to Maria Isabel, a 2nd year student studying in the Department of Government

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Looking to start in 2024?

Politics and international relations courses in Clearing for 2023

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Courses (48)

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Explore the study of power and understand decisions that shape the world we live in. 

We are 6th in UK for research power in politics and international studies (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021) and our world leading staff can help you to research the answers to the questions that really matter. We teach you how to explain vital political outcomes and analyse political decisions. We break away from the norm and explore unexpected areas of politics. Want to know why earthquakes are deadlier where the Mafia is stronger? How cellphone activity predicts riots? Or why people who are more scared of spiders are more conservative? Ask an Essex political scientist.

Why study here?
  • We're 16th in the UK for International Relations (Guardian University Guide 2024)
  • We're ranked 9th in the UK for Politics and International Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2023)
  • The late Queen Elizabeth II conferred the only Regius Professorship in Political Science on our Department of Government.
Our PhD programme provides you with advanced research training and supervision by leading global scholars. 

Our students have published in acclaimed political science journals such as Electoral Studies, International Organization, International Studies Quarterly, Journal of Politics, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Journal of Education Policy and Journal of Peace Research.

Our Department of Government offers two routes to a research degree:  

Both are three-year programmes. A PhP is normally for students without a prior Masters degree and you normally take a number of taught modules in your first year.

Why study here?
  • We are 6th in UK for research power in politics and international studies (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).
  • Ranked 9th in the UK for Politics and International Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2023)
  • The late Queen Elizabeth II conferred the only Regius Professorship in Political Science on our Department of Government.
Chat with Qi Zhu, a PHD Politics and International Relations student

Fancy discovering what student life at Essex is like? Want to learn more about the department? Why not talk to Qi, a PHD students studying Politics and International Relations.

Chat with Qi
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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. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.