Join the Integrated Master's in Politics at Essex! Gain critical skills, explore global issues, and enjoy a placement year. Apply now!
The University of Essex MPol Politics and International Relations is an integrated Masters course giving students the opportunity to seamlessly continue their studies from undergraduate to masters level in 4 years (5 years if choosing a placement year or year abroad). It provides a thorough grounding in all major areas of political science and international relations and widens students' awareness of the world system, while training them in the research and critical thinking skills that are prized by employers. You can explore a very wide range of topic areas in which the Department of Government produces world-leading research, including: conflict resolution and peacekeeping, social media and campaigning, international environment policy, ideology and discourse analysis, political parties and party strategy, overseas aid and development, and more. Students can spend the third year in a placement year with an external organization, where they learn about a particular sector, company or job role, apply their academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways. Students will be responsible for finding their placement, but with support and guidance provided by both the department and the Employability and Careers Centre. The Department of Government at Essex is one of the most prestigious departments in Europe. It has been ranked top in the UK for research in Political Science & International Studies in every single government assessment exercise since they began in 1986. It also offers a better staff-student ratio than many of the other leading departments in the UK – crucial when it comes to offering support and supervision throughout the degree. All Essex graduates in Politics & International Relations have a degree recognized by employers as earned from one of Europe’s leading politics departments. Politics students are in demand from a host of employers, in international development, politics, the civil service fast stream, management, journalism, police, armed forces, commerce, business, finance, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), teaching and graduate research. Some notable alumni include the former Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon John Bercow, and recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including: The World Bank, NATO, Houses of Parliament Research Unit, United Nations Development Program, YouGov, The BBC, and UBS Bank.
