MA Political Science - Governance and Public Policy Pathway (Standard Route)

During the open day, you will learn more about the School of Social Sciences, 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 Political Science – Governance and Public Policy explores some of the key political science and public policy issues of the 21st century.

On this master’s, you will delve into core topics of the field such as the nature and problems of policy making, citizenship and participation, and the relationship between the state and its citizens. In parallel, you will also develop academic and political research skills which will open doors to a wide range of careers.

You’ll be able to tailor your course to fit your interests, exploring topics such as:

• Political Parties in Contemporary Britain;
• European Politics and Policy Making;
• Understanding Political Change;
• Politics and Data Science.

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

You will benefit from studying at an internationally renowned centre for policy research. In addition, our Policy@Manchester institute will give you the opportunity to engage with public policy and governance in deeper, hands-on ways – whether that be attending regular talks and seminars, meeting with politicians and policy makers, or finding a professional experience placement in the field.

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.

Research or Standard Route?

The key difference between our MA Political Science – Governance and Public Policy (Standard Route) and our MA Political Science – Governance and Public Policy (Research Route) is the amount and scope of mandatory course units you will take.

On the Standard Route, in addition to your dissertation, you will take four mandatory course units and four optional course units. Mandatory units on this route are:

• POLI60312 Research Design and Skills;
• POLI70271 Understanding Governance;
• POLI70892 Governance and the State;
• POLI60301 Comparative Political Analysis.

On the Research Route, in addition to your dissertation, you will take six mandatory course units and two optional course units. Mandatory units on this route are:

• POLI60312 Research Design and Skills;
• SOCS60230 Qualitative Research Methods;
• SOST70511 Introduction to Quantitative Methods;
• POLI70771 Philosophy of Politics Research;
• POLI70271 Understanding Governance;
• POLI70892 Governance and the State.

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.

We’re also home to Policy@Manchester , our policy engagement institute which connects our academics, researchers and students to policy makers and political influencers to help inform political decisions through robust, evidence-based policy insights.

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 Political Science – Governance and Public Policy 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 data analyses, 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.

You will also have access to the one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the country, The University of Manchester Library .

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 Political Science – Governance and Public Policy 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 from our Political Science courses have succeeded in organisations such as:

• British Red Cross;
• Home Office;
• The House of Commons;
• NHS;
• 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.