Masters student — Ben Lockley
After completing a degree in political science at the University of Birmingham, Ben decided to pursue his interest in psephology (the study of elections) and US politics by studying a Masters at the same institution
Why did you choose to study politics at university?
I studied the BA in Political Science at Birmingham as I had always been interested in politics from a young age. Both the university and the politics course had (and still have) really good employment outcomes for their graduates, with students going on to work in virtually every sector. I therefore knew I would be getting a respected qualification.
I also knew that I would be well supported with my dissertation topic by academics that had led the field in similar research. The huge range of optional modules to choose from also helped me tailor my degree to my needs and interests.
Postgraduate study felt like the natural next step for me after completing my undergraduate degree, and Birmingham has one of the largest and most diverse politics departments in the country.
How does a postgraduate course differ to undergraduate?
A postgraduate course is more intense in every way, reflecting the 60 extra credits compared to the standard undergraduate programme. The expectation from lecturers of the contributions you bring to seminars is also much higher.
Student life in comparison is a little more relaxed, but there's still loads of postgraduate socials to get involved with and student groups are more than open to you.
Tell us a bit about your course and what it involves.
The course consists of a mixture of formal lectures, as well as seminars where there is a healthy discussion and debate of pre-read texts and contested theories. One-to-one time with your dissertation supervisor is also really important, as you research and complete your main thesis, which is worth a third of your overall grade. I have also found meeting up with peers on the course for more casual study sessions valuable in my development.
How will your degree help your employability prospects?
A Masters from a respected Russell Group institution like Birmingham will hopefully be of benefit in an increasingly competitive job market, where employers are always looking for something that differentiates an applicant from the rest.
In particular, the analytical and research skills gained in researching my dissertation topic is something I hope to highlight.
Did you get involved with student societies?
I was treasurer of the politics society for two years during my undergraduate programme. I was the group's principle financial signatory, meaning I had to manage the society's budget and organise all payments and expenses.
As a committee, we organised bar crawls, a course trip to Budapest, guest speakers, and the annual Politics Ball. This role helped me give back to the student community boosted my confidence, and developed my accounting skills.
What do you hope to do when you graduate?
I am planning on applying for a range of jobs and am open to new opportunities. However, I am particularly keen on applying for research and organising opportunities within a major political party and the Civil Service.
What advice would you give to others choosing a Masters degree?
A Masters is a big commitment, so make sure you read up on as much about the course as possible, and attend the campus itself if you can - just to make sure it's the right place for you. Once you are here, throw yourself into student societies and opportunities. The year goes so fast, but you can still make friends for life.
Find out more
- Discover what you can do with a politics degree.
- Explore careers in the public services and administration sector.
- Consider the MA Politics at the University of Birmingham.