Political Science and International Relations

Entry requirements

You will need a good 2:1 Bachelor's degree in Politics/International Relations studies or in a broadly related discipline (eg classics, history, philosophy, sociology, English, modern languages etc.).

Months of entry

September

Course content

The MA in Political Science and International Relations provides extensive postgraduate training in research methods, application of political concepts and theories, skills, and the development of an advanced understanding of politics and political science more broadly. The MA enhances employability of graduates through skills training, alongside training for potential doctoral research.

The MA offers a range of optional modules that enables you to specialise or generalise in key areas of political studies including British Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Comparative Politics. The MA also provides comprehensive methods training to equip you with the skills required for doctoral research, and/or a wide range of careers in fields such as journalism, business, the Civil Service, Central Government, Local Government, charities, and education.

Dr Andrew S. Roe-Crines is the Programme Lead for the MA and can be contacted at a.s.crines@liverpool.ac.uk. If you are interested in applying or if you have any questions whilst undertaking your programme of study, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Roe-Crines to discuss the programme.

Programme Structure

The Political Science and International Relations MA has one required module in each semester, and a wide range of optional modules to select from to facilitate specialisation/generalisation. The structure of the programme is:

Substantive Research Project (Throughout, submission in September)

POLI521 Political Science Dissertation (required, 60 Credits)

Semester One

POLI520 Political Science Research Methods (required, 15 credits)

Optional Modules 3 x 15 Credit Modules

Semester Two

POLI522 Political Science and International Relations (required, 15 credits)

Optional Modules 3 x 15 Credit Modules

This will give you a total of 180 credits required for successful completion of the MA.

Optional 15 Credit Modules include (but are not limited to):*

• Quantitative Methods and World Politics
• British Foreign Policy
• Europe and the World
• War Writing
• Literature, Slavery, and Empire
• Politics and the Environment
• International Record Keeping
• Praise and Blame
• Health Inequalities: Evidence and Policy
• Heath Protection
• Health and Society
• Business and the Environment

The MA includes a dedicated optional 15 credit placement opportunity in semester two in local government, business, voluntary sector, charities, Civil Service, or political party.

* Information provided above is indicative and changes may be made according to programme development and teaching availability.

Why Department of Politics?

Breadth of study

We are able to offer an excellent range of modules providing both a national and international focus, giving students plenty of choice. Pathways offer students module choices to develop their own specialist interests.

Personal atmosphere

The staff at the Department of Politics work to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Due to the small size of the seminar groups and the MA-programme in general, lecturers know students individually, and are easily accessible. This stands in stark contrast to the vast and anonymous lectures in some competing MA-programmes at other Universities.

Research-active staff

The University of Liverpool is a Russell Group member, an organisation of leading research and teaching Universities in the UK. All staff are actively researching and publishing in their fields and have national and international reputations. This provides huge benefits for the MA programme as this translates into the classroom. Courses are based on the latest research and give students insight into cutting-edge developments in their fields.

Employability

Studying Politics develops critical and research skills valued by employers – data collection and analysis, problem-solving, argument and self-expression. Graduates have achieved much success in areas such as broadcasting, journalism, the civil service, government (local, national and European), marketing, public relations and academia.

Positive and flexible

We offer postgraduate degrees and adopt a positive and flexible policy towards the requirements of overseas and/or part-time students, including effective timetabling on taught programmes, facilitation of language training, help with practical problems where appropriate, etc. The department fully embraces the University’s Equal Opportunities strategy and works closely with the Student Welfare and Disability Team and the International Office to provide appropriate facilities for students with additional needs including English language support.

Teaching and Research Environment

The University library is well-resourced, up-to-date and easy to use, with particularly good collections in Politics and allied subjects. There are multiple copies of all of the main teaching texts.

You'll be able to take advantage of the strong programme of activities (conferences, guest lectures, seminars) organised by the Europe in the World Centre (www.liv.ac.uk/ewc).

Information for international students

Applications from international students are encouraged and international qualifications will be evaluated in line with the National Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) guidelines.

Fees and funding