Political Science MSc
Year of entry 2023
- Start date
- September 2023
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 months full time
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons)
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component skill
- UK fees
- £11,500 (total)
- International fees
- £22,250 (total)
- Contact
- pgpolis@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
The MSc in Political Science is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to become a confident researcher, capable of taking leadership over societal responses to political and social challenges – whether that be working in governments, global institutions, NGOs, or in the media.
The programme will provide you with the intellectual resources needed to understand and respond to the phenomena that give rise to the current local, national and global political challenges that we face, and will develop your ability to investigate and uncover the underlying social and political dynamics that have led to the formation of these political challenges and potentially, the key to their resolution.
The programme will also prepare you for future doctoral study, should you be interested in taking your research interests to the next level.
Tailor your programme
Reflecting the dynamic field of political science, this programme has just one compulsory module, the rest of your credits are selected from a list of options. This allows you to benefit from our specialisms in political analytics, media, and international diplomacy – either focusing on a particular subject you are passionate about or choosing modules from across the areas for a breadth of knowledge.
Our teaching in all of these areas is enriched by the practical experience and innovative research of staff in the Centres for Democratic Engagement and Global Development.
Research expertise
As a student of MSc Political Science, you’ll be part of our wider research community and will be strongly encouraged to engage with our research centres to facilitate the development of your skills within a supportive and nurturing research environment. Our research centres – the Centre for Democratic Engagement, the Centre for Global Development, the European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, the Centre for Global Security Challenges, the Centre for Contemporary Political Theory, and the Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship – offer you the opportunity to become involved with the research process and political engagement that serves as the foundation for the teaching across all of our modules.
School of Politics and International Studies
Watching in China? View this video on YouKu
Course details
The modules offered on this programme offer skills that fall into three broad and overlapping categories: qualitative skills, quantitative skills, and practice-orientated skills. Qualitative skills involve utilizing methods such as interviews and ethnographic inquiry; quantitative skills involve statistical and network analysis; and practice-orientated skills, which can often draw on both qualitative and quantitative skills, will teach you how to conduct policy analyses or draft diplomatic briefs, amongst a variety of other skills.
Our module leaders intersect their particular expertise on substantive issues with their analytical skills to ensure that all skills are taught in the context of politically relevant topics that directly engage with the local, national and global challenges that are prominently covered in local and national media on a daily basis.
You’ll have the opportunity to devise your own unique pathway through this programme by pursuing a combination of research skills training and subject-specific content that best meets your needs and curiosity. This programme provides you with the opportunity to directly engage with the third sector and put your newly acquired skills into practice. For example, the MSc dissertation will see you personally conduct your own research on a topic of choice.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 60 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will study 120 credits from the modules below:
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Engaging the Modern City: The Civic Researcher | 30 |
| Geographic Data Visualisation & Analysis | 15 |
| Geodemographics and Neighbourhood Analysis | 15 |
| Risk Perception and Communication | 15 |
| Effective Decision Making | 15 |
| Education in Development | 30 |
| The Politics of the Israel-Palestine Conflict | 30 |
| Theories and Concepts in Global Political Economy | 30 |
| Capitalism in Practice | 30 |
| Popular Culture: World politics, Society and Culture | 30 |
| Diplomatic Practice | 30 |
| Global Governance | 30 |
| Ethics and Politics of Migration and Citizenship | 30 |
| Analysing Data in Political Science | 30 |
| Politics, Media and Democratic Engagement | 30 |
| Technology, Media and Politics: Research and Real World Cases | 30 |
| Research & Project Skills- Experiential Learning | 30 |
| Policy and Programme Evaluation | 15 |
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include lectures, seminars and online learning. You will be expected to do a significant amount of preparatory reading before each session, and emphasis will be on student-led discussions to build critical and reflective confidence in a group environment.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Modules are assessed by varying combinations of exams and coursework, depending on the module.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or a non-UK equivalent in a social science, humanities, or other related discipline. Relevant experience will also be taken into account.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component skill. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Politics and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Politics and Society (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
International – Thursday 29 June 2023
UK – Friday 18 August 2023
If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.
Documents and information you will need include:
Original or certified copies of your transcripts
Original or certified copies of your degree certificate
Original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language).
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
This course is taught by
School of Politics and International Studies
Contact us
School of Politics and International Studies
Email: pgpolis@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £11,500 (total)
International: £22,250 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
The School usually offers a number of scholarships each year. Find out more about our scholarship opportunities.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of the MSc Political Science programme, you’ll be well placed to pursue a wide array of careers including in the third sector; in local, national, and international governance; in economic, social, and political think tanks; and in private enterprise. This programme is also ideally structured to provide you with the skills needed to pursue a PhD in any social and political research area.
Careers support
The School of Politics and International Studies has a dedicated Careers Consultant who is on-hand throughout the year to support and advise you in regards to your career. The School also arranges a number of guest speaker events where you are able to engage with prospective employers, and hear from leading figures in the field.
Find out more about how we support your career development
In addition to the School-specific careers support, you will also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Centre. The Careers Centre offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.