MA Politics

Year 1

You will take Introduction to Politics & International Relations and Political Thinkers, an introductory political theory course. International Relations students additionally take an international law course taught by the School of Law.

Depending on your programme, you will also take up to four option courses of your choice.

Year 2

You will study International Cooperation in Europe and Beyond, which examines how states cooperate in 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 Data Analysis. Depending on your programme, you will also take up to three further option courses.

In Years 3 and 4 the Politics and International Relations programmes separate, although all students will write a 40 credit dissertation in Year 4. Find additional study information for Years 3 and 4 on your chosen programme page.

Year 3

You will take courses such as Global Justice and Citizenship, Approaches to Politics and International Relations and Research Design.

You will also take honours courses on a wide range of subjects such as political parties, gender, migration, human rights, and political theory, as well as politics courses covering Britain, the US, Africa, 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 (2018/19)

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.

Guaranteed study abroad funding for students required to complete a year 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

Typical offer range

The typical offer is likely to be:

• SQA Highers: AAAAA - ABBB.
• A Levels: AAA - ABB.
• IB: 43 points (grades 776 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Access threshold

The access threshold for a contextual offer is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Find out more about access thresholds and contextual offers

Detailed requirements for all applicants

To be considered for an offer of a place all applicants must meet the following requirements:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or ABBBB/AABB from S4-S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6. National 5: English at Grade C and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C.
• A Levels: ABB. GCSEs: English at Grade C or 4 and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C or 4.
• IB: Award of Diploma with 34 points overall and grades 655 in HL subjects. SL: English at 5 and Mathematics or an approved science at 4.

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 provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:

• 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
• Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

About English language requirements

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)

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 Unistats data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Politics

Additional costs

In Year 3 or 4, if you are taking the Parliamentary Studies course, you will be offered a trip to Westminster. You will be responsible for your own travel and accommodation costs.

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
• Email: CAHSS.UGAdmissions@ed.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3565
• Web: Politics & International Relations website
• International enquiries