Politics MA

Our MA in Politics (Standard Route) is designed with flexibility in mind. Drawing on inspiring academic expertise, you will explore the latest perspectives in political analysis and theory, alongside research methodologies in Political Science. With a strong emphasis on classroom debate and diverse theoretical perspectives, this course equips you to analyse politics in its many forms.

Once enrolled, you can tailor your course by selecting a specially designed Stream to enhance your learning experience. Streams collate highly specialised set of course units which aim to develop your skills in your chosen area of expertise. Our five specialised Streams are: Environmental Politics, Political Theory, European Politics and Policy, Comparative Politics and Politics Research Methods.

Our Political Theory Stream has been designed to equip you with the specialist skills and knowledge that will allow you to both rigorously critique arguments about a range of political issues and also to construct your own position in its strongest possible form. Through specially designed course units, tackling topics such as inequality, democracy, human rights, war, gender and sexuality, you will engage with key areas of contemporary debate and learn to master methods of argumentation and rebuttal. You will hone those skills in-class with your peers and staff, and by engaging with the most sophisticated cutting-edge research at our fortnightly research seminar.

In a world where global politics is orchestrated by a handful of powerful countries, the study of European politics has never been more vital. Our European Politics and Policy Stream develops the knowledge and insights you need to understand this influential yet ever-changing region. This MA stream has been specifically designed to confront and examine contemporary political dynamics, featuring courses across capitalisms, policymaking, diplomacy, and governance. By taking this wide-ranging yet comprehensive stream, you will be ideally positioned to analyse European politics. Your teaching will be led by world-leading scholars at a university with an international reputation in the field that co-hosts the Manchester Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence.

Our Politics Research Methods Stream will equip you with the skills you need to both evaluate and implement the core methods used in politics research. Your course units will introduce you to the principles of designing research studies in the social sciences; qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, and creative methods; and quantitative methods such as survey design and analysis, regression analysis, and experimental designs. You’ll be able to understand your studies in practice, by applying research methods to contemporary questions across the study of politics.

Many nations have entered periods of political uncertainty and systemic change. Our Comparative Politics Stream provides you with the essential knowledge and skills about how to understand these changes. You will learn to use comparative methods to examine types of nation-states, core features of their governance systems, political institutions, and economies. From populism and democratic backsliding to feminist political analysis and revolutions, you will learn to analyse the political forces at work in the current era.

Tackling climate change and environmental degradation is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity and the natural world. Our Environmental Politics Stream features a selection of course units focusing on how we govern the transition to a sustainable economy and society. These units are designed around the intersection of the study of national and global governance mechanisms and the requirements of making the transition away from polluting consumption and industries. There’s no better place to learn from leading environmental politics researchers than a university recognised globally for its commitment to sustainability.