Masters Degree In Politics

Politics – one of the social sciences – is a vast area of study, and within academia, professors and researchers specialise in specific areas and give their focus entirely over to that. Masters in Politics can be somewhat broad or more narrowly focussed, depending on which program you choose to study. Areas of political study which are popular with students at masters level include

British Politics
Asian Politics
Middle Eastern Politics
International Politics
Politics of China
International Relations
Political Theory
Political Research
Political science.
Strategic communications.
Diplomacy & Foreign Policy
Cultural & Critical Theory

In some masters programs, there is the option to have a crossover between more than one of these areas of study – however, you should be careful about spreading yourself too thin, as this can negatively affect your dissertation.

An excellent aspect of the majority of masters course offered in the UK and EU is the amount of choice offered in terms of optional modules. This really allows for students to tailor the program to their interests and choose modules which will provide helpful crossover knowledge for producing their dissertation.

Study modes

At the majority of Masters in Politics offered throughout the UK and EU, the time taken from the course start until completion is one full academic year if studied full time. In addition, many universities offer the option for the same course to be taken on a part-time basis which normally extends the study length from two or three years. A smaller number of universities offer online masters programs in politics which allows students abroad to study the course without moving to the university campus.

Entry requirements

In the majority of cases, to be a successful applicant to a Masters in Politics requires you to have first obtained a first or 2.1 degree (upper second class honours) in a bachelors degree, for example Politics, International Relations or other social science-based degree. However, there will often be special consideration given to candidates who don’t have the standard requirements.

If you are an international student, then you will have to have proof of a certain level of competency with the English language. This is usually demonstrated with a 6.5 or above score in IELTS. If you are applying from abroad, then your undergraduate qualifications should be recognised as the equivalent of the standard UK or EU entry tariff.

Politics course structure

Masters degree programs are more challenging than undergraduate study, and with most courses a lot of ground is covered to a high degree of depth in what will feel like a very short time. While this may seem difficult, it will you grow and progress as a student at a far faster rate.

The course structure for a Masters in Politics varies amongst different universities, however, the normal approach involves a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and the process of producing a dissertation.

There may also be the option to spend some time as part of your Masters in Politics visiting or even learning at one of the major political institutions, such as the European Parliament or House of Commons.

Politics-based masters degrees are usually composed of a good mix of research and practical elements of study. At the major, highly-ranked universities which offer Political masters courses, there is normally a ratio of roughly a 50-50 split between the time you will spend on research for the dissertation you must produce and the taught modules offered as part of the course.

Career options for a Politics graduate

If you’re looking for an early breakthrough in your politically-based career, then studying politics can help to give you that edge – a good case study of this can be seen through the politician James Skoufis and how he became one of the youngest elected politicians in America after having completed his Masters in Political Science. It doesn’t guarantee success in the field, but, it can certainly go a long way in helping to bring it about due to the knowledge and comprehension of how politics works that it give you.

Also, if you want a career in a think tank, consultancy, major international political institution or a special political advisor, a Masters in Politics is an excellent choice.

Masters in Politics