MA in Politics
Queen's University Belfast - Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 3 Year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 19,100 / per year
Application deadline
Request Info
Earliest start date
Jan 2025
Introduction
The MA in Politics is a broad-based programme, offering students a good grounding in the discipline of political science. This MA gives students the opportunity to engage with core theories, concepts, issues and debates in politics. Students may tailor their programme to their own interests by their choice of optional modules and dissertations, from Irish politics and European politics to political theory and comparative politics, which build on the strengths of the school's research. The masters offer a unique perspective on multi-level politics in Europe, at the regional, national, and European levels and on the policy issues of the time, including energy transitions and climate change, ethnic conflict, gender, and democratic legitimacy.
The aim of the MA in Politics is to deepen students' understanding of important contemporary issues in political studies through the enhancement of students' analytical skills, research and writing talent, and capacity for utilising theoretical approaches. These are all important transferrable skills, highly valued in the job market. The programme is of particular interest to those wishing to know more about Irish politics (North and South), European politics, territorial politics, political conflict, and political theory.
Belfast is a globally significant location, and Politics is about conflict, debate and the contest of ideas, making Belfast, where such things are part of everyday reality, an ideal place to study the subject. Northern Ireland is viewed as a model of conflict resolution and peace-building across the world.
Students can directly benefit from the School and University’s wider expertise in political theory, comparative politics, Irish and Northern Irish politics, gender and environmental politics, security studies, border studies, terrorism and political violence.
Politics Highlights
Students have the opportunity to visit Brussels (part-funded by the School), including the European Parliament, European Commission, Human Rights NGOs, NATO etc.
Career Development
The MA in Politics combines a grounding in key contemporary issues and in-depth methods training, with a lot of flexibility for students. Students unsure of which precise direction they wish their career to take will benefit from the fact that the MA in Politics allows for a generalist course of study alongside excellent career support both within the School and the University at large. The MA in Politics provides students with the opportunity to engage in a wide range of active research networks and groups on diverse themes, including gender studies, Irish politics, political theory/philosophy, political economy, and environmental policies. Students can also choose to specialise through their choice of options and dissertation topic in Irish politics, political theory, European politics, or comparative politics.
Internationally Renowned Experts
Students benefit from intensive teaching by a wide and varied range of political scientists and theorists with strong publishing profiles and international reputations in their areas of expertise. Many academics on the programme are engaged in QPOL (Queen’s Policy Engagement) – this is the ‘front door’ for public policy engagement at Queen’s University, supporting academics and policymakers in sharing evidence-based research and ideas on the major social, cultural and economic challenges facing society regionally, nationally and beyond. This includes a Brexit Clinic, with involves Queen’s experts providing insight and analysis into the various facets of Brexit. Many of our experts in this area act as advisors to the UK and NI governments, particularly in relation to the Irish border and the backstop, as the only land border between the UK and EU.
Student Experience
There are many practical elements embedded in the programme. Examples include the practical modules such as Engaging Citizens in Democratic Institutions – throughout this module, there are visits to the City Council, NI Assembly etc. There is also a trip to Brussels (part-funded by the School) in which students visit, for example, the European Parliament, European Commission, Human Rights NGOs, NATO etc. We also use a range of assessment techniques, such as writing essays, blogs and policy briefs, where students are presented with a problem and are tasked to come up with practical solutions.
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Admissions
Curriculum
Students take six taught modules, including compulsory modules in the first semester, which introduce them to the core of the discipline and teach the skills necessary to conduct research. They must also complete the Dissertation module. Each taught module is worth 20 credits. The Dissertation is worth 60 credits.
Course Details
The MA offers students the possibility to study a wide range of topics or specialise in Irish politics, political theory, European politics, or comparative politics:
- Irish Politics modules: PAI7022 The Politics of the Republic of Ireland, PAI7021 The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland, & PAI7102 Global Ireland
- Political Theory modules: PAI7098 Democratic Challenges & PHL7057 Social Injustice
- European Politics modules: PAI7099 The UK and Europe & PAI7052 Institutions and Policies of the EU
- Comparative Politics modules: PAI7032 Gender, Politics and Democracy, PAI7038 Theories in Comparative Politics, PAI7050 Ethnic Conflict and Consensus, & PAI7100 Engaging Citizens in Democratic Institutions
Overview
The programme has three different components: Core modules, Elective modules, and an MA dissertation.
Semester 1 (Autumn)
To acquire foundational knowledge and understanding of Politics, students will take core modules introducing research methods for the study of politics, as well as core issues in the comparative study of territorial politics (devolution, regionalism, and federalism). Students also choose an optional module.
Core modules
- HAP7001 - Approaches to Research Design
- PAI7101 Comparative Territorial Politics
Elective modules
Students must also choose ONE optional module in Semester 1 from:
- PAI7022 - The Politics of the Republic of Ireland
- PAI7098 - Democratic Challenges
- PAI7099 – The UK and Europe
- PAI7038 – Theories in Comparative Politics
- PAI9099 - Dissertation research commences.
Semester 2 (Spring)
Students choose at least two modules from the following list:
- PAI7052 - Institutions and Policies of the EU
- PAI7021 - The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland
- PAI7032 - Gender, Politics and Democracy
- PAI7100 – Engaging citizens in democratic institutions
- PHL 7057 Social Injustice
And Students choose one module from the following list (if necessary):
- PAI7102 Global Ireland
- PAI7030 – International Political Economy
- PAI7036 - The Politics and Political Economy of Energy and Low Carbon Energy Transitions
- PAI7050 - Ethnic Conflict and Consensus
- PAI9099 - Dissertation research continues.
Summer
- PAI9099 - Dissertation (15,000 words maximum)
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
All of the Master's programmes offered in the School provide our graduates with the skills to pursue a wide range of careers in the private, public and voluntary sectors. MA Politics graduates are now working in careers with the local, devolved and national government, policy analysis and advocacy for NGOs and charities. Many are also in the private sector, working as lawyers, in the media and in management consultancy or public affairs. The MA also provides an appropriate basis for those who wish to proceed to Doctoral-level study.
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's, you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.