Politics MA
About this course
This course offers you the opportunity to study Politics at an advanced and specialised level, emphasising the interplay between the national, regional and global arenas. The underpinning theme of the Politics Masters degree is participation - an issue that has, and looks likely to continue to be a key debate within political discourse.
Throughout the course you will have the unique opportunity to explore this theme through combining academic research skills with a period of work-based learning – either through existing links you might have with an organisation / institution, or through links established throughout the course.
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Study in the heart of Nottingham
One of Europe’s top 25 student cities, and home to over 75,000 learners.
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Learn from the experts
at a university rated TEF ‘Gold’ for teaching and learning.
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Tailor your learning
Choose from a range of optional modules to focus on areas that align with your interests.
What you’ll study
Throughout the MA in Politics, you'll gain an advanced and critical understanding of the discipline, whilst enhancing your research and employability skills. The course consists of three core modules, one optional module and a dissertation or work-based research project.
Core modules include:
Citizens, Values and Political Participation
This module enables you to understand the relationships between citizens, the democratic process and political institutions in contemporary Britain. It is concerned with examining changing patterns of political participation and political action, changes in citizens' democratic values, and how these trends are affecting democratic politics and public support for democracy.
Party Political Development
This module enables you to understand the history, development and dynamics of political parties and political party systems in a wide variety of political contexts. It places specific emphasis on key concepts and theories, alongside the contextual factors influencing both current and future developments of party systems in the twenty-first century.
Researching Political Issues
The aim of this module is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the methods, techniques, and processes that are involved in the research of Politics and International Relations. This module is shared between both the MA Politics and MA International Relations, which in the past has helped establish a useful basis for the cross-fertilisation of knowledge and research that traverses the disciplines.
Dissertation / work-based research project
The final core component of the MA Politics course is an extended piece of written work, which entails two options. The first 'standard' option comprises the development of a coherent and viable research proposal on a topic of your choice, with its eventual assessment being a 12,000 word dissertation. The other option involves a period of work-based learning, spending time engaging with a chosen institution or community-based organisation either in the local Nottinghamshire community or further afield. Here, in contrast to the development of a research proposal geared for the completion of a standard 12,000 word dissertation, your assessment will comprise a research plan of how you intend to draw on your experiences, which ultimately will culminate in a written work-based project of a maximum of 10,000 words.
Optional modules include one of the following:
Environmental Citizenship
In the context of the local and global ramifications of the climate crisis, and wider concerns relating to social, economic, and environmental justice, this module considers the relationship between citizenship and the environment. The module provides a critical overview of academic debates concerning environmental citizenship, held predominantly over the last twenty years. Exploring models drawn from civic-republican, liberal, anarchist, feminist, post-colonial and (post)cosmopolitan traditions within Western political thought, and applying them concretely throughout, the module explores the potential for progressive change.
Global Governance and International Institutions
This module provides a programme of study on the concept, theories and processes of global governance with a focus on the role of contemporary international institutions. The study of global governance is becoming increasingly important in a world facing a multitude of problems requiring multilateral action.
Please note: The number of places available on some optional modules may be limited. These will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who are unable to select their first choice will be offered an alternative from the remaining optional modules.
Negotiating in International Contexts
This module focuses on strengthening your negotiation and diplomacy skills. It is for those interested in developing their diplomatic and negotiation skills as well as their ability to form reasoned arguments and speak confidently in public. The module is centred around a simulation of EU decision-making. The best students will then have a chance to participate in the prestigious, annual international EuroSim competition held in either the US or Europe, or any other extracurricular simulation activity (for example Model UN).
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
How you're taught
Study and support
Each module on the MA Politics adopts an explicitly national, regional and / or global perspective on a range of political, economic, social and environmental issues. Most of its modules are team-taught, which allows for a responsive and varied curriculum which reflects the individual and collective research interests of the team. All modules have been designed and selected specifically to adhere to the overarching theme of participation.
Support within the Department of Politics and International Relations is supplemented by effective School-based academic and pastoral support, which is widely publicised and used well by existing students. The MA Politics has regular Course Committees where a representative of your course can share your experiences and provide ongoing feedback. We value feedback very highly and will encourage you – and the course team – to reflect on it continually as the course progresses.
Assessment methods
Each module employs a range of assessment methods which, through their combination of both summative and formative forms, seeks to encourage a strong developmental approach to learning. The majority of assessments will be writing-based, ranging from essays, article reviews, reports and e-portfolios. You'll also be assessed through individual and group presentations, involving both peer and tutor-led feedback. This course has no exams.
An active research environment
Throughout the course, you'll have a chance to integrate yourself into NTU's research culture by attending the Politics and International Relations Departmental Research Seminars, and NTU's annual Alternative Futures conference.
Find out more about research in Politics and International Relations.
In-sessional English language support
In-sessional English language support classes are available to all international (non-EU) students studying on degree courses at NTU. There is no extra charge for these classes.
Contact hours
You will have around 8-10 hours per week of contact time (lectures, seminars and workshops). Approximately 90% of this teaching is in person. Overall, contact time makes up around 30% of a full-time week, while the remaining 70% of your time will be devoted to independent study.
Careers and employability
NTU has a justified reputation among the UK's universities for the high level of employability of its graduates. While the primary aims of a university course have traditionally been intellectual in nature and specific to the subject(s) under study, NTU realises the importance of the role of higher education in training graduates to move into the labour market. The MA Politics will provide you with a range of ‘transferable skills' which will be essential to employment in a range of occupations, including:
- The ability for independent and critical thought
- Analysing and evaluating complex and unfamiliar problems
- Working to tight deadlines
- Presenting your ideas with confidence and clarity both in writing and in speech
- Working and learning collaboratively with peers from a range of personal, academic and national backgrounds.
Alongside providing such transferable skills, we believe that the optional pathway through the Dissertation module will strongly enhance your employability skills and, more generally, the course's engagement with contemporary global issues – particularly those of participation, sustainability and citizenship – will ensure that your knowledge and ‘openness' to the wider world is up-to-date and relevant.
After graduating with the MA in Politics, you might decide to continue your studies to MPhil / PhD level. There is a range of such opportunities here at NTU. Graduates will also be well placed to pursue careers and training in a wide variety of professions such as research, politics or public administration.
Employability team
Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course. Find out more about the service.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Chaucer and Newton buildings, at the centre of our vibrant City Campus. As well as a range of classrooms and lecture theatres, the facilities including a mock prison cell, banks of open-access PCs, social spaces for either quiet study or busy group work.
NTU’s City Campus has everything you’ll need to stay busy between lectures. As well as the Boots Library and its beautiful roof garden, there’s our stylish Students’ Union building and two-storey, 100-station gym; a whole host of cafés, bars, restaurants and food outlets for every taste; our much-loved Global Lounge; performance and rehearsal spaces for musicians; and much, much more!
Take a few steps off campus and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. It’s stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure. Enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
UK students
Applying with prior qualifications
You will need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK undergraduate honours degree (normally a 2.2 or above). If you hold a first degree but it doesn't meet the entry requirements above, please refer to the information below.
Applying with non-standard entry qualifications/experience
Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. You will be required to demonstrate how your experiences and knowledge would enable you to study this course at Masters-level in your Personal Statement.
No references are required when applying for this course.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 2.2 honours degree or equivalent qualification. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. You will be required to demonstrate how your experiences and knowledge would enable you to study this course at Masters-level in your Personal Statement.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Pre-Masters course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Sign up for emails
Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.
Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
