MA Politics with Quantitative Methods

Year 1

You will take three compulsory courses:

• Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
• Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension
• Political Thinkers, an introductory political theory course

You will take two quantitative methods courses:

• Mathematics for Social Science
• Introduction to Statistics for Social Science

You will also take one semester-long course in an outside subject of your choice.

Year 2

You will take Comparative Politics in a Globalised World and Doing Social Research with Statistics.

You will also take four further semester-long optional courses.

Year 3

You will take courses on Statistical Modelling and Research Design. You will also take option honours courses on a wide range of subjects such as:

• International political economy
• Global security
• US foreign policy
• Human rights
• Gender theory
• Africa
• The Middle East
• Advanced statistical methods

Plus many more.

Year 4

You will choose four courses from the wide range available, and complete an honours dissertation on a topic of your choice.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2022/23)

Our facilities

The majority of teaching takes place at facilities located within the University's Central Area. You will also have access to the University's library and computer facilities.

Home to the Scottish Parliament, the city of Edinburgh offers the perfect location in which to study politics.

We offer you a dynamic environment, regularly hosting leading international academics, politicians and diplomats.

Take a virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the School of Social and Political Science and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Take a virtual tour of the School of Social and Political Science

Placements

You will be eligible to apply for a placement with a range of host institutions. Placements are designed to allow you to apply your data skills in a real world setting.

Work placements are offered during the summer of Year 3.

Our Careers Service can offer advice and support on your application to the host institution.

Study abroad

There are opportunities to study abroad in Year 3 through international exchange programmes.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

Courses are taught mainly through a combination of lectures, tutorials and skills hours.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through a diverse set of components, such as:

• essays
• exams
• policy briefs
• group presentations
• tutorial participation exercises

A good understanding of quantitative methods is highly valued by employers and covers a variety of skills that allow you to handle data and use numerical evidence systematically.

There is currently a deficit of graduates with advanced quantitative skills in the UK. Graduates with broad numerical skills are highly prized by employers.

This programme equips you with the skills employers need, opening doors to a wide range of exciting and well remunerated careers.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAAA-AAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.
• A Levels: A*AA - AAA.
• IB: 39 points with 666 at HL - 37 points with 666 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: Mathematics at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: Mathematics at B, or AS Mathematics at A. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: Mathematics at 5. SL: English at 5 and Mathematics at 6 (if not at HL). Mathematical Studies is not accepted for any of our Quantitative Methods degrees.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• SQA Standard Grade at 3
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 54 in each component.

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Politics with Quantitative Methods

Additional costs

In Year 4, if you are a Politics student taking Parliamentary Studies you will have an opportunity to visit the UK Parliament in Westminster and the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.

You will be responsible for your own travel costs but a small number of travel bursaries may be available.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

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