Political Science MSc
Year of entry 2025
- Start date
- September 2025
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 months full time
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a social science or related discipline.
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.
- UK fees
- £13,500 (Total)
- International fees
- £26,000 (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 working in governments, global institutions, NGOs, or in the media.
The course 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 course will also prepare you for future doctoral study, should you be interested in taking your research interests to the next level.
Tailor your course
Reflecting the dynamic field of political science, this course has three compulsory modules. The rest of your credits are selected from a list of optional modules. This allows you to benefit from our specialisms – either focusing on a particular subject you're passionate about or choosing modules from across the areas for a breadth of knowledge.
Our teaching in these areas is enriched by the practical experience and innovative research of staff in the Centre for Democratic Politics, the Centre for Global Security Challenges, and the Centre for Global Development.
Research expertise
As a student of MSc Political Science, you’ll be part of our wider research community. You’ll 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 Politics, 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 our modules.
School of Politics and International Studies
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Course details
This course gives students a comprehensive grounding in the research methods and statistical analyses used across the social sciences and in political science more specifically. Students will learn how to collect and analyse data from sources such as individuals, media and party platforms amongst others. Those analyses can be used to inform debates and policy formation on a variety of the challenges we face at the local, national and international levels.
Our module leaders intersect their 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 course by pursuing a combination of research skills training and subject-specific content that best meets your needs and curiosity. This course provides you with the opportunity to put your newly acquired skills into practice in the MSc dissertation module where you’ll 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 |
|---|---|
| Analysing Data in Political Science | 30 |
| Data Collection in Political Science | 30 |
| Research Dissertation in Political Science | 60 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will also choose 60 credits from the modules below:
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Gender, Globalisation and Development | 30 |
| Counterterrorism | 30 |
| Terrorism | 30 |
| Politics, Media and Democratic Engagement | 30 |
| Elections and Voters | 30 |
| Research & Project Skills- Experiential Learning | 30 |
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 through the practical application of research skills in literature reviews, research reports and research proposals. At the end of your studies, an 8,000-word dissertation will allow you to pursue your own research interest under close supervision by one of our expert colleagues.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a social science, humanities or related discipline.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.. 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. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
International – Friday 27 June 2025
UK – Friday 15 August 2025
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 Admissions Policy 2025
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: £13,500 (Total)
International: £26,000 (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 on our living costs and budgeting page.
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, 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 course 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 Service. The Careers Service offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.