MA Politics

The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to find out more about our facilities and courses.

During the open day, you will have the opportunity to find out more about the School, our resources, and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.

For more information, see open days and visits .

Please note, due to the high volume of applications we receive, an early application is advised.

If you meet our entry requirements but we are unable to make you an offer, you may be placed on a waiting list.

Candidates on a waiting list will receive an offer only if places become available.

Our MA in Politics was designed with flexibility in mind. It’s built for generalists who want to study a course in Political Science but do not want to specialise in a particular area, such as International Relations or Political Economy.

Drawing on inspiring academic expertise, you will explore the latest perspectives in political analysis and theories, alongside research methodologies in political science.

You will then tailor your course to fit your interests, exploring over 20 optional course units in topics such as:

• The Politics of Money and Finance;
• Critical Globalisation Studies;
• The European Union;
• Critical Environmental Politics;
• Chinese Ethnic Politics;
• Quantitative Analysis and Data Science in Politics.

See a full list of mandatory and optional course units below.

Through the course, you will develop subject area expertise as well as highly transferrable skills such as research design, critical inquiry, and writing and communication skills, setting you up for multiple career paths in the public, private, or third sectors.

You will also be well-placed to continue developing and using your research expertise, either professionally or in PhD study as this course is eligible for the 1+3 studentship offered by the Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC) North West Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP), offering a unique, fully-funded route into postgraduate research. If your application is successful, you’ll be able to seamlessly transition from master's-level study to a PhD. Find out more on our 1+3 ESRC NWSSDTP webpage.

Prestigious department

The University of Manchester boasts one of the largest and best-known politics departments in the UK. We are home to some of the world’s leading experts and academics in the subject, and co-hosts (with Oxford) of the British Election Study, one of the longest-running election studies in the world and the longest-running social science survey in the UK.

Unique city

In our biased opinion, there’s no better place to study politics and economics than Manchester. Politics and history, revolutionary ideas and radical reform, are etched into the city’s streets and character, from workers' rights to feminism, Marxism to devolution.

Interdisciplinary approach

Interdisciplinary study is actively pursued at Manchester, with many course units involving expertise and contributions from a number of different schools and departments at the University, such as economics, social statistics, and global development.

The MA Politics is taught by an interdisciplinary team using a variety of delivery methods:

• lectures;
• workshops;
• student-led presentations and debate;
• group work;
• individual research.

Most course units are assessed by written assignments and essays. Some course units may differ and may be assessed by methods relevant to the units’ contents, such as presentations or research design documents.

Part-time students

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

You will be supported by first-class resources, in addition to the networked study areas and with access to one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the country.

The University of Manchester is one of the most targeted universities by the UK’s top graduate employers (High Fliers, The Graduate Market Report 2024).

Our MA Politics gives you the specialist knowledge and skills required for a range of careers across the public, private, and third sectors, such as in:

• local and central government;
• international and supranational institutions, such as the UN and the EU;
• research, policy, think-tanks, institutes, and NGOs;
• management and policy consulting.

You will also acquire vital skills relevant to many different sectors and roles, such as data analysis, qualitative and quantitative research design, academic writing, and communication and teamwork. Recent graduates have succeeded in organisations such as:

• The House of Commons;
• Manchester City Council;
• The British Army;
• KPMG;
• BNY Mellon;
• Boeing;
• Princeton University.

Another popular option is to continue specialising for a career in research and universities through a PhD in Politics or in another related field.

The University has its own dedicated, award-winning Careers Service where you can benefit from tailored careers support, practice interviews, CV and application support, job listings for Manchester students, and much more. Better yet, you will have access to our Careers Service both during your course and for two years after you graduate, so we know you’re on the right path.