MA Politics with Research Methods

About the course

1 year full-time/2 years part-time

This course will prepare you for MPhil and PhD research, as well as a career in research. You'll develop skills in three complementary areas: politics and international relations methods training, political analysis generally, and specialist training in your chosen area of politics or international relations.

Entry requirements

You'll need a 2:1 honours degree, plus supportive references from previous tutors. If you have different qualifications, we’ll look at your application on its individual merits.

English language requirements for overseas students

Overall IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, 6.5 in Writing, 5.5 in Listening and 5.5 in Speaking, or equivalent.

Entry requirements for international students

Core modules

• Advanced Political Analysis
• Research Methods in Politics and International Relations

Optional modules

Choose three from a range including:

• Theories and Issues in International Political Economy
• The Political Economy of Globalisation
• Governance and Politics of the European Union
• The Politics of International Law
• Democratisation
• Global Governance
• Human Rights
• Theory and Practice of International Relations
• Political Thought and the Rights of War and Peace
• The Global Politics of the Environment and Climate Change

Teaching

All taught modules (not the dissertation) are taught in seminars.

Assessment

You'll be assessed continuously through essays.

To complete the MA successfully you must earn a total of 180 credits. Most core and optional modules count for 30 credits each. Your dissertation, produced over the summer after the taught element, counts for 60 credits.

For the module assessments and the dissertation, you'll need a mark of 50 per cent or above. If you don't complete the dissertation, achieving 120 credits in taught modules will get you a Graduate Diploma.

Fees and funding

Financial information for postgraduate taught courses

Any questions?

If you'd like to know more about any aspect of our courses, contact us:

E: pol.grad@sheffield.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)114 222 1642

Where your masters can take you

A postgraduate degree in politics is a strong foundation for a range of careers, from government and other public sector organisations to companies in the private sector, consultancies, non-governmental organisations and think-tanks. A postgraduate research degree is essential if you want an academic career.

Eighty-two per cent of our recent graduates work in managerial or professional roles for employers such as the Audit Commission, government, Cancer Research UK, Citizens Advice Service, and Oxfam.

Our department

The last Research Assessment Exercise rates us joint first in the UK for research. We're also rated in the UK’s top three politics departments by both the Complete University Guide and The Times Good University Guide.

You'll be part of a close-knit community of 200 postgraduate students. To encourage your development we've brought everyone together, forming our politics graduate school in autumn 2008. Our team of 28 expert academic staff will help you develop your interests and skills.

A strong foundation for a career in the public or private sector.

Our resources

You'll have access to the University's modern facilities, including the Information Commons. In the department, get involved in student-led activities like the Politics Society and the Canvas e-Journal.

Our cosmopolitan graduate community means you'll mix with people from all corners of the world.

Apply now

You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It is a quick and easy process.

Postgraduate Online Application Form