MA Political Science - European Politics & Policy Pathway (Standard Route) / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Obtain your MA in Political Science European Politics and Policy from one of the strongest centres for European politics in the UK. The course combines analytical and conceptual rigour with topical subjects relating to the governance and policies of the European Union and their impact on the domestic politics of its member states.

You will focus on processes of Europeanisation both within the context of the EU's existing member states, but also on candidate countries and the EU's neighbours. Building on a very strong comparative perspective (across Europe and the European Union), this course offers an excellent range of compulsory and optional units with strong areas of expertise in gender and media policies, varieties of European capitalism; nationalism and political violence; and the EU's external relations.

The course has been designed for those who want to combine strong transferable research skills with focused expertise in European politics. It is ideal if you wish to pursue a doctoral degree or a career in research. It will also appeal to you, if you're seeking employment in government at the supranational, national and sub national levels, as well as pursuing careers in journalism, teaching and international commerce.

We attract students from other European countries wishing to pursue postgraduate study abroad as well as growing numbers employed in business and government elsewhere who work with the European Union.

Teaching and learning

Part-time students complete the full-time course over two years. There are no evening or weekend course units available on the part-time route.  

You must first check the schedule of the compulsory units and then select your optional units to suit your requirements.  

Updated timetable information will be available from mid-August and you will have the opportunity to discuss your unit choices during induction week with your course director.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Comparative Political Analysis POLI60301 15 Mandatory
Research Design and Skills POLI60312 15 Mandatory
The European Union: Politics and Policy Making POLI70381 15 Mandatory
Dissertation POLI72000 60 Mandatory
Comparing Capitalisms in the Global Political Economy POLI60031 15 Optional
The Politics of Money & Finance POLI60081 15 Optional
Public Policy (in)to Practice POLI70272 15 Optional
Critical Globalisation Studies POLI70282 15 Optional
Critical Approaches to International Political Economy POLI70311 15 Optional
Global Governance POLI70422 15 Optional
European Union Foreign Policy POLI70851 15 Optional
Democracy: Theory & Practice POLI70872 15 Optional
Governance and the State POLI70891 15 Optional
Comparative Democratisation in Eastern Europe and Latin America POLI70952 15 Optional
Understanding Political Change POLI71042 15 Optional
Gender in Comparative Politics POLI71151 15 Optional
Capitalism and Development in the Middle East POLI71312 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 17 course units

Facilities

School of Social Sciences students are supported by the first-class resources, in addition to the networked study areas and with access to one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the country.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk