MA Political Science - Political Theory Pathway (Standard Route) / Course details

Manchester has a long history of specialising in the study and research of political theory. Our MA Political Science – Political Theory continues this tradition, building on the strengths which have made us one of the UK’s largest political theory research groups and equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in the future.

On this course, you will be introduced to a range of core orthodox and critical theories in political theory and philosophy, while also developing 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 subjects such as:

• Justice and International Relations;
• Human Rights;
• Social Theory.

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, 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 – Political Theory (Standard Route) and our MA Political Science – Political Theory (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 three mandatory course units and between four and five optional course units. Mandatory units on this route are:

• POLI60312 Research Design and Skills;
• POLI70601 Political Theory Research Training Seminar;
• POLI70611 Debating Justice.

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;
• POLI70601 Political Theory Research Training Seminar;
• POLI70611 Debating Justice.

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 philosophy than Manchester. Titanic thinking, revolutionary ideas, and radical reform are etched into the city’s character and streets, 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.

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