Government, Policy and Politics MSc

This MSc Government, Policy and Politics gives you the chance to examine the day-to-day practice and reality of government by analysing contemporary politics and public policy in the UK and around the world. <br/><br/><strong>Why choose this course?</strong><br/><br/><br/>• It helps you develop a wealth of analytical skills and encourages the kind of rigorous, critical thought that can be easily transferred to other settings after your degree. <br/><br/><br/><br/>• It combines theoretical approaches with empirical knowledge and real-world case studies, exploring topics in political theory, political science and sociology. <br/><br/><br/><br/>- it is taught by academics with expertise in researching, writing about and participating in politics. <br/><br/><br/>• It is ideal if you wish to make progress in a career in politics, policy, research, lobbying or journalism.<br/><br/><br/><br/><strong>What you will learn</strong><br/><br/>This course equips you with the ideas and concepts to analyse political debates and engage with contemporary politics and policy.<br/><br/>You will explore:<br/><br/><br/>- the UK’s political and constitutional order <br/><br/><br/>- the nature of social cleavages and the role of party politics <br/><br/><br/>- the organisation of the political executive and the role of the civil service and judiciary <br/><br/><br/>- how and why policy is made <br/><br/><br/>- developments in policy areas including health care, social policy, migration, the environment, education and macroeconomics. <br/><br/><br/>You will be able to tailor the course to your interests and learn qualitative and quantitative research methods to complete a dissertation.<br/><br/><strong>How you will learn</strong><br/><br/>You will learn through lectures, seminars, online resources and activities. This course is available full- or part-time with <strong>classes taking place in the evening</strong>.<br/><br/><strong>This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.</strong><br/><br/>If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.<br/><br/><strong>Highlights</strong><br/><br/><br/>• You will have the opportunity to attend seminars and conferences run by our research centres, such as the Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life.<br/><br/><br/><br/>• You will be taught by academic staff who are international authorities in their fields, publishing and delivering stimulating teaching in a wide range of political topics including public policy, foreign policy, international security and terrorism, gender and the welfare state, British politics, and the politics of Asia and the Middle East.<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Our location in central London puts you at the heart of the UK’s political life and at the centre of academic London. One of our campus buildings was once a key location for members of the Bloomsbury Group, so you could be studying in rooms that have hosted distinguished visitors, including T.S. Eliot, George Bernard Shaw and Maynard Keynes.<br/><br/><br/><br/><strong>Careers and employability</strong><br/><br/>On successfully graduating from this MSc, you will have gained an array of transferable skills, including: <br/><br/><br/>- advanced knowledge of British political institutions and the relationship between state and society <br/><br/><br/>- detailed knowledge of the different actors, processes and stages involved in formulating public policies in liberal democracies <br/><br/><br/>- critical understanding of contemporary theories, debates and issues relating to politics and policy <br/><br/><br/>- ability to critically analyse and apply theories and models to contemporary political and policy issues.<br/><br/><br/>Graduates can pursue career paths in politics, policy research, lobbying, local and national government, the diplomatic services, education, charities and NGOs, or journalism.<br/><br/>Possible professions include:<br/><br/><br/>• Civil Service fast-streamer<br/><br/><br/><br/>- government social research officer<br/><br/><br/>- politician’s assistant<br/><br/><br/>- public affairs consultant<br/><br/><br/>- diplomatic services operational officer<br/><br/><br/>- public relations officer<br/><br/><br/>- journalist.<br/>