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Masters Degree In Politics
Find postgraduate programs in POLITICSPolitics – one of the social sciences – is a vast area of study and a masters degree in politics can be somewhat broad or more narrowly focused, depending on which postgraduate program you choose to study.
Areas of political study which are popular with students at masters level include:
- British Politics
- Politics of Asia
- Middle Eastern Politics
- International Politics
- Chinese Politics
- 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.
An excellent aspect of the majority of masters courses offered in the UK and further out into the EU is the amount of choice offered in terms of optional modules. This really allows students to tailor the program to their interests and choose modules which will provide helpful crossover knowledge for producing their dissertation.
Universities offering politics masters
The University of Aberdeen offers an MSc in Climate Politics and Policy that is a multi-disciplinary masters course designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of political, social and economic dynamics and how they affect climate change and related policymaking. This masters degree is studied on campus either full time over one year or part time over two years.
Birkbeck, University of London has an MSc in Government, Policy and Politics that gives students instruction in the day-to-day practice and reality of government, analysing modern politics and public policy in the UK and worldwide. This course can be studied on campus, online or via flexible learning.
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 help you grow and progress as a student at a far faster rate.
The course structure for a masters degree 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 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. Though some courses offer a 70-30 ratio.
Politics masters study modes
For 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 less commonly three years.
A smaller number of universities offer online masters programs in politics, which allow students abroad to study the course without moving to the university campus – saving a significant amount of money and VISA application paperwork.
Entry requirements for a politics masters
In the majority of cases, to be a successful applicant to a masters in politics requires a first or 2.1 degree (upper second class honours) in a relevant bachelors degree, for example, politics, international relations or other social science degree. However, there will often be special consideration given to candidates who don’t have the standard requirements.
If you are an international student, you will need to have proof of a certain level of competency in the English language. This is usually demonstrated with a 6.5 or above score in IELTS. Some of the top schools in the UK require a score of 7.0, so be sure to understand the requirements for each of the universities you apply to. If you are applying from overseas, your undergraduate qualifications should be recognised as the equivalent of the standard UK or international entry tariff.
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 Senator James Skoufis and how he became one of the youngest elected politicians in America after having completed his Masters in Political Science at Columbia University. 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 gives 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. Other career options include:
- Journalist
- Researcher
- Marketing executive
- Public relations officer
- Charity worker
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