Last Updated on August 12, 2023 by Oluwajuwon Alvina

Overview

The detailsCourse: Political ScienceStart date: October 2020Study mode: Full-timeDuration: 1 yearLocation: Colchester CampusBased in: Government

How do political scientists explain political outcomes? How does normative theory inform the way researchers approach their work? How do political science approaches differ from historical accounts of political phenomenon? How can political science be used to analyse the real world?

Our MSc Political Science gives a general overview of such topics, and as our most flexible postgraduate course offers you a very wide choice of optional modules. You explore the main theoretical approaches to the study of politics and look at what the basic theoretical framework required to conduct research in political science is.

Your optional modules may cover topics including:

  • Survey measurement and research methods
  • The economy and the state
  • Democracies in Europe
  • Theories of justice
  • Conflict resolution

Our Department of Government is one of the most prestigious in Europe, with an outstanding record of teaching, research and publication. We are rated top in the UK for research (REF 2014), and have consistently been the highest-rated politics department in the country since national assessments began.

With this course you also have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner institutions and achieve a dual award, which means you’ll receive two Masters degrees in two years. Find out more on our dual award webpage.Why we’re great.

  • Stretch yourself on our most flexible politics course, taking advantage of our widest range of optional modules
  • Answer some of the most crucial questions in social and political thought
  • Gain unrivalled one-to-one access to the best minds in politics – our department is ranked top in the UK for its world-leading research
THE Awards 2018 - Winner University of the Year

Our expert staff

Some of the biggest names in the field work at Essex, giving you unparalleled access to some of the best minds in politics. Our staff are advising the CIA on counter-terrorism, training politicians and civil servants in democratising countries, and commentating on political events in national and international media.

Our academic staff work on topics ranging from international conflict and violence to British elections, and from the obligations of the younger generation to why authoritarian leaders welcome natural disasters.

Specialist facilities

  • Laboratories of networked computers featuring extensive software for political analysis
  • ESSEXLab provides opportunities for experimental lab research
  • Student societies for politics, debating, and Model UN
  • We organise the Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis
  • A programme of seminars and events run by the department

Your future

All Essex politics graduates have the distinction of a qualification from one of the world’s leading politics departments.

Our graduates from this course can expect to find jobs in market research, the media and central or local government. It also provides a foundation for further research in political science. You will gain key employability skills such as analytical reasoning, research design, and report writing.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organisations:

  • The Civil Service
  • Local government
  • The World Bank
  • The United Nations
  • NATO
  • YouGov and YouGov America

We also offer supervision for PhD and MPhil in the following fields: government; ideology and discourse analysis; international relations; political behaviour; and politics.

Our academic reputation is illustrated by the fact that many of our graduates now teach or research at universities, colleges of higher education and schools. For example, recent graduates are now research fellows and academic staff at: Mannheim, Germany; ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Duke University, USA; NATO/SHAPE, Belgium; and University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

One Masters not enough for you?

We offer a number of postgraduate taught double degrees with our international partners. You work for two Masters degrees, one at Essex and another at a prestigious university across the globe, gaining them both in a shorter time than studying them separately. This unique opportunity gives you a competitive edge when applying for jobs or prepares you for PhD study.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

You will need a degree with a 2.2 in Political Science, International Relations, American Studies, United States Politics, Business – ( finance related), Economics or Statistics.

Applications from students with a degree below a 2:2 or equivalent will be considered dependent on any relevant professional or voluntary experience, previous modules studied and/or personal statement.

We will accept applicants with a degree in an unrelated field but you must have studied at least two relevant modules with marks at 2:2 level in the final two years of study. Relevant modules include, but are not limited to:

Comparative Political Systems, Constitutional Democracy, Contemporary World Affairs, Democratic Theory, Econometrics, European Integration, Foreign Policy, Game Theory, Governmental processes, Human Rights, Ideology & Political Analysis, International Economic Law, International Economic Relations, International Trade/Business Law, International Law, International Public Relations, International Security, Law of Armed Conflict, Micro/Macro Economics, Peace Studies, Political Conflict, Political Decision Making, Political Economy, Political Sociology, Public Administration, Public International Law, Public Policy Analysis, Quantitative reasoning, Strategic Studies, Theories of Development, Current Affairs, Political Economy, Terrorism, Security Studies.

We will also consider applicants with a non relevant degree but at least six months relevant work experience such as working with a NGO.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.AFGHANISTAN                    ALBANIA                        ALGERIA                        ANDORRA                        ANGOLA                         ANTIGUA AND BARBUADA           ARGENTINA                      ARMENIA                        ARUBA                          AUSTRALIA                      AUSTRIA                        AZERBAIJAN                     BAHAMAS                        BAHRAIN                        BANGLADESH                     BARBADOS                       BELARUS (BYELORUSSIA)          BELGIUM                        BELIZE                         BENIN                          BERMUDA                        BHUTAN                         BOLIVIA                        BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA         BOTSWANA                       BRAZIL                         BRUNEI                         BULGARIA                       BURKINA FASO                   BURUNDI                        CAMBODIA (KAMPUCHEA, KHMER R)  CAMEROON                       CANADA                         CAPE VERDE ISLANDS             CENTRAL AFRICAN REP            CHAD                           CHILE                          CHINA                          COLOMBIA                       COMOROS                        CONGO                          CONGO (DEM REB, ZAIRE)         COSTA RICA                     CROATIA                        CUBA                           CYPRUS CZECH REPUBLIC                 DENMARK                        DJIBOUTI                       DOMINICA                       DOMINICAN REP                  EAST TIMOR                     ECUADOR                        EGYPT                          EL SALVADOR                    EQUATORIAL GUINEA              ERITREA                        ESTONIA                        ETHIOPIA (ABYSSINIA)           FIJI                           FINLAND                        FRANCE                         GABON                          GAMBIA                         GEORGIA                        GERMANY                        GHANA                          GIBRALTAR                      GILBERT ISLANDS (KIRIBATI)     GREECE                         GRENADA                        GUATEMALA                      GUIANA, FRENCH                 GUINEA                         GUINEA BISSAU                  GUYANA                         HAITI                          HONDURAS                       HONG KONG                      HUNGARY                        ICELAND                        INDIA                          INDONESIA                      IRAN (ISLAMIC REP)             IRAQ                           IRELAND, REP                   ISRAEL                         ITALY                          IVORY COAST                    JAMAICA                        JAPAN                          JORDAN                         KAZAKHSTAN                     KENYA                          KOREA SOUTH                    KOSOVO                         KUWAIT                         KYRGYZSTAN (KIRGIZIA)          LAOS                           LATVIA                         LEBANON                        LESOTHO                        LIBERIA                        LIBYA                          LIECHTENSTEIN                  LITHUANIA                      LUXEMBOURG                     MACEDONIA. ALSO SKOPJE         MADAGASCAR (MALAGASY REP)      MALAWI                         MALAYSIA                       MALDIVE ISLANDS                MALI                           MALTA                          MARSHALL ISLANDS               MAURITANIA                     MAURITIUS                      MEXICO                         MOLDOVA                        MONACO                         MONGOLIA, OUTER                MONTENEGRO                     MONTSERRAT                     MOROCCO                        MOZAMBIQUE                     MYANMAR (formerly Burma)       NAMIBIA                        NAURU                          NEPAL                          NETHERLANDS (HOLLAND)          NEW ZEALAND                    NICARAGUA                      NIGER                          NIGERIA                        NORWAY                         OMAN (MUSCAT AND OMAN)         PAKISTAN                       PALESTINE                      PANAMA                         PAPUA NEW GUINEA               PARAGUAY                       PERU                           PHILIPPINES                    POLAND                         PORTUGAL (MADEIRA, AZORES)     QATAR                          ROMANIA                        RUSSIA                         RWANDA                         SAMOA (WESTERN)                SAN MARINO                     SAUDI ARABIA                   SENEGAL                        SERBIA                         SEYCHELLES                     SIERRA LEONE                   SINGAPORE                      SLOVAKIA                       SLOVENIA                       SOLOMON ISLANDS                SOMALI REPUBLIC                SOUTH AFRICA                   SOUTH GEORGE & STH SANDWICH IS SOUTH SUDAN                    SPAIN                          SRI LANKA (CEYLON)             ST. KITTS AND NEVIS            ST. LUCIA                      ST. VINCENT                    SUDAN                          SURINAM                        SWAZILAND                      SWEDEN                         SWITZERLAND                    SYRIA                          TAIWAN                         TAJIKISTAN                     TANZANIA                       THAILAND                       TOGO                           TONGA                          TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO            TUNISIA                        TURKEY                         TURKMENISTAN                   TUVALU, ALSO ELLICE ISLANDS    UGANDA                         UKRAINE                        UNITED ARAB EMIRATES           UNITED STATES                  URUGUAY                        UZBEKISTAN                     VANUATU                        VENEZUELA                      VIETNAM, SOC REP               YEMEN (PDR,ADEN,SOCOTRA)       ZAMBIA                         ZIMBABWE                      

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please select your country page where you’ll find this information.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Example structure

Most of our courses combine compulsory and optional modules, giving you freedom to pursue your own interests. All of the modules listed below provide an example of what is on offer from the current academic year. Our Programme Specification provides further details of the course structure for the current academic year.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore to ensure your course is as relevant and up-to-date as possible your core module structure may be subject to change.

The example structure below is representative of this course if taken full-time. If you choose to study part-time, the modules will be split across 2 years.

See full list of modulesYear 1MA DissertationAdvanced Research MethodsTheory and Explanation in Political ScienceComparative European Politics (optional)Conflict Resolution (optional)From Cradle to Grave: Social Justice in Childhood, Adulthood, and Death (optional)United States Politics (optional)Environmental Politics (optional)International Security Studies (optional)Political Economy (optional)Political Explanation (optional)Political Parties in Britain and Europe (optional)Political Theory (optional)Public Opinion and Political Behaviour (optional)Research Design (optional)Research Seminar in Political Theory and Methods (optional)Applied Research Design (optional)International Negotiation (optional)Theories of International Relations (optional)The Analysis of Conflict and Peace (optional)Multiparty Systems and Coalitions (optional)Gender and Armed Conflict (optional)The Politics of Modern China (optional)Gender and Leadership (optional)Introduction to Israeli Politics (optional)Concepts and Measurements in Comparative Political Research (optional)Foundations of Public Policy (optional)The Politics of Public Policy (optional)Political Economy of Development (optional)

Teaching

  • Courses are designed to provide you with an advanced understanding of either the politics of a geographical area or an aspect of the discipline
  • Courses include both compulsory and optional modules, so the course can be tailored to fit your interests and aspirations
  • Learn through discussion and problem-solving
  • Lab sessions allow you to improve your technical research skills
  • We encourage students to attend national conferences to meet researchers and discuss their work

Assessment

  • Your coursework comes in the form of essays, simulations, presentations and in-class tests

Dissertation

  • You are given guidance on how to prepare a Masters dissertation by our Graduate Director in the spring term
  • We link you with an appropriate supervisor at the earliest opportunity

Fees and funding

Home/EU fee

£8,340

International fee

£17,900

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

The MSc Political Science and Political Economy provides a sound professional training in formal political science and in quantitative-oriented approaches to political economy.

You will acquire the knowledge and techniques to analyse political processes, institutional design and public policy making in liberal democracies.

The programme offers courses in political economy, elections, legislature, executive governments, public policy, development, and international political economy within the framework of a political science-oriented programme. This MSc will provide a set of skills which are highly sought after in public policy making, policy analysis, business, political consultancy and public affairs.

This programme is an excellent preparation for further research work (including a PhD or research in quantitative political science) or for a career in education, public administration or the private sector.

Teaching and learning in Michaelmas Term 2020 
Information on how LSE will deliver teaching and learning in Michaelmas term can be found here.

Programme details

Key facts

Start date28 September 2020
Application deadlineNone – rolling admissions. However please note the funding deadlines
Duration12 months full-time, 24 months part-time 
Applications 2018376
Intake 201832
Tuition feeUK/EU: £22,608
Overseas: £22,608
Financial supportGraduate support scheme (deadline 27 April 2020)
Minimum entry requirement2:1 degree or equivalent in any discipline
GRE/GMAT requirementNone
English language requirementsHigher (see ‘Assessing your application’)
Location Houghton Street, London

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for MSc Political Science and Political Economy

Upper second class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent in any discipline.

The programme relies significantly on the use of mathematical concepts (eg statistics and game theory) and their applications to modern political science. As a result, we expect you to have either (a) previous exposure to key mathematical concepts (intermediary level or above in algebra and real analysis, some exposure to probabilities), or (b) to be willing to invest some additional time in developing those skills (for instance through the ‘maths camp’ offered prior to the beginning of the Michaelmas term).

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet the minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our Information for International Students to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.Assessing your application

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

– academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
– statement of academic purpose
– two academic references
– CV

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE. See our English language requirements.

When to apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply, however to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details. Programme structure and courses

As well as studying the compulsory courses in Political Science and Political Economy, Game Theory for Political Science and Political Science and Political Economy : Advanced Topics, you will also write a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic agreed with your supervisor. In addition, you need to choose options, including from other programmes in the Department and School, with the approval of the MSc course convener.

(* denotes a half unit)

Political Science and Political Economy*
Provides an introduction to quantitative empirical political science.

Game Theory for Political Science*
Introduces game theory and its applications to political science.

Political Science and Political Economy: Advanced Topics*
Will expose students to recent advances in political economy and deal with applications of the concepts explored in “Political Science and Political Economy” and “Game Theory for Political Science”.

Dissertation

Courses to the value of one and a half units (depending on previous course selection) from a range of options

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated graduate course and programme information page.Teaching and assessment

Contact hours and independent study

Within your programme you will take a number of courses, often including half unit courses and full unit courses. Half unit courses are taught in the format of lectures (usually of one or two hours) and seminars (usually one to two hours), summing to about three total hours per week over the ten-week term. These take place in the first and second terms, with two weeks of revision scheduled for the third term. Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.

You are also expected to complete independent study outside of class time. This varies depending on the programme, but requires you to manage the majority of your study time yourself, by engaging in activities such as reading, note-taking, thinking and research.

Teaching methods

LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research and therefore employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status. Courses may be taught by individual members of faculty, such as lecturers, senior lecturers, readers, associate professors and professors. Many departments now also employ guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants who are usually doctoral research students and in the majority of cases, teach on undergraduate courses only. You can view indicative details for the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.

Assessment

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It is designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Methods of summative assessment differ from course to course, and may include unseen written exams in the summer term and/or assessed essays. In addition you will meet with your supervisor and work on your dissertation. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

Dissertations should reflect the training that you have acquired by applying methods such as formal theory, quantitative methods or textual analysis.

Academic support

You will also be assigned an academic mentor who will be available for guidance and advice on academic or personal concerns.

There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom and complement your academic studies at LSE. LSE LIFE is the School’s centre for academic, personal and professional development. Some of the services on offer include: guidance and hands-on practice of the key skills you will need to do well at LSE: effective reading, academic writing and critical thinking; workshops related to how to adapt to new or difficult situations, including development of skills for leadership, study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work; and advice and practice on working in study groups and on cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

LSE is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential and the School’s Disability and Wellbeing Service provides a free, confidential service to all LSE students and is a first point of contact for all disabled students.Careers

This programme is an excellent preparation for further research work or for a career in education, public administration or the private sector. It will also equip you with the skills needed to pursue a PhD or conduct research in quantitative political science.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers.Student storiesDavid Slattery

MSc Political Science and Political Economy

LSE is perhaps the most international university in the world and, in an organisation such as mine, you cannot survive with an insular focus. Internationalism is a trend that will increase in the future and there’s no better introduction to this world than LSE.

LSE teaches its students to consider problems in a thoughtful, disciplined and consolidated manner, which is essential when you are confronted with a previously unencountered situation. No degree can cover every circumstance but a top university provides the framework to consider problems in a way that delivers a constructive analysis. This is what LSE does.

LSE students have many available career options, including academia, consultancy, think tanks, national politics, Civil Service and diplomacy, as well as finance. The decision to go into banking was therefore not one that I took lightly. My decision was based on a combination of the training and learning opportunities that such a career would provide as well as the high calibre of students that entered the industry and the desire to prove to myself that I could emulate their achievements.Fees and funding

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students’ Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2020/21 for MSc Political Science and Political Economy

UK/EU students: £22,608
Overseas students: £22,608

Fee status

For this programme, the tuition fee is the same for all students regardless of their fee status. However any financial support you are eligible for will depend on whether you are classified as a Home (UK/EU) or Overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Fee reduction

Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a fee reduction of around 10 per cent of the fee.

Scholarships and other funding

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide over £13 million in scholarships each year to graduate students from the UK, EU and overseas.

This programme is eligible for needs-based awards from LSE, including the Graduate Support SchemeMaster’s Awards, and Anniversary Scholarships

Selection for any funding opportunity is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline. 
Funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE: 27 April 2020.

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas. 

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

A postgraduate loan is available from the UK government for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme, to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

Find out more about tuition fee loans

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities


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