MA Politics

Please note that our Year 1 and 2 courses are under review and the precise names and content may be subject to change.

Year 1

You will take Introduction to Politics & International Relations and Political Thinkers, an introductory political theory course.

You will also take up to four option courses of your choice.

Year 2

Compulsory international relations courses in Year 2 look at how and why states interact at international level, including cooperation through international organisations such as the European Union, the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations.

You will also take courses that introduce you to key methods in political science: Comparative Politics in a Globalised World and Introduction to Political Data Analysis. You will also take up to three further option courses.

Year 3

You will take a course on Research Design and choose five honours courses on a wide range of subjects such as British politics, populism, US foreign policy, human rights, gender, African politics, the Middle East and 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 (2019/20)

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.

Study abroad

There are opportunities to study abroad in Year 3 through the Erasmus programme or the University's international exchange programme.

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 and tutorial participation exercises.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from 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 details (2019/20)

In recent years, graduates have entered careers in the civil service, foreign affairs or political and parliamentary research.

The programmes will also equip you with some of the transferable skills required for employment in finance and consultancy, the voluntary sector, journalism or teaching.

Some graduates choose to go on to further training in accountancy or law or take postgraduate programmes with a view to pursuing an academic career

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAAA - ABBB by end of S5. If you haven't achieved this by the end of S5 we may consider your application based on a strong performance in S6. A minimum of BBB must be achieved in one set of exams and by end of S5. (Revised 18/10/2019 from 'AAAAA - AABB'.)
• A Levels: AAA - ABB. (Revised 21/06/2019 from 'AAA - ABB'. Revised 11/12/2019 from 'A*AA - ABB'.)
• IB: 43 points (grades 776 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 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 set of exams by end of S5.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5: English at grade C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at grade C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at grade 5.

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 Grade C

• SQA Standard Grade 3

• SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A

• SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C

• GCSE Grade C or 4

• Level 2 Certificate Grade C

• IB Standard Level Grade 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 module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component

• TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section

• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component

• PTE Academic: Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section

• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

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 programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

(Revised 05/06/2019 to provide more accurate/comprehensive information.)

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

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. Students will be responsible for their 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

• College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office
• Web: Contact CAHSS Undergraduate Admissions Office
• International enquiries