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Global and Comparative Politics, M.A.

  • Anytime
    Application Deadline
  • 12 months
    Duration
University rank #251 (WUR) ,
Why does the behaviour of political actors - leaders, parties, pressure groups, voters, protestors, and so on - vary across countries and over time? And what are the consequences of political institutions for regime stability, economic development, political representation, and the dynamics of electoral politics? This course allows you to focus on these and other questions of interest and apply them to politics in the developed and developing worlds. Ranked top 10 in the world for political science and international relations according to the Centre for World University Rankings (2017)

About

Why does the behaviour of political actors – leaders, parties, pressure groups, voters, protestors, and so on – vary across countries and over time? And what are the consequences of political institutions for regime stability, economic development, political representation, and the dynamics of electoral politics?

This course allows you to focus on these and other questions of interest and apply them to politics in the developed and developing worlds.

Our course provides you with an overview of classic controversies and contemporary debates in comparative politics. You learn about the main theoretical approaches to the study of politics, as well as the major issues and topics in this subfield of political science. You also choose from a wide range of optional modules including:

  • Global environmental issues

  • Democracies in Europe

  • International relations

  • International security

  • 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.

Programme Structure

Postgraduate study is the chance to take your education to the next level. The combination of compulsory and optional modules means our courses help you develop extensive knowledge in your chosen discipline, whilst providing plenty of freedom to pursue your own interests. 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.

For many of our courses you’ll have a wide range of optional modules to choose from – those listed in this example structure are, in many instances, just a selection of those available. Our Programme Specification gives more detail about the structure available to our current postgraduate students, including details of all optional modules.

Year 1

  • Comparative European Politics
  • MA Dissertation
  • Theory and Explanation in Political Science
  • Advanced Research Methods (optional)
  • Political Explanation (optional)
  • Contemporary Theories of Justice (optional)
  • International Security Studies (optional)
  • Ideology and Political Discourse (optional)
  • Political Economy (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)
  • Theories of International Relations (optional)
  • Conflict Resolution (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

Detailed Programme Facts

  • Programme intensity

    You can choose to do this programme part-time or full-time.

    Full-time
    • Full-time duration 12 months
    Part-time
    • Average part-time duration 24 months
    • Intensity Flexible
  • Languages
    • English
    Schedule IELTS
  • Delivery mode
    On Campus

English Language Requirements

You need the following IELTS score:

  • Minimum required score:

    6.5

    The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.

    Schedule IELTS

    StudyPortals Tip: The UK government has confirmed new English-language testing requirements for visa and immigration purposes. Learn more

Academic Requirements

A degree with an overall high 2:2.

Tuition Fee

  • International Applies to you

    16225 GBP/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 16225 GBP per year and a duration of 12 months.

  • EU/EEA Applies to you

    7560 GBP/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 7560 GBP per year and a duration of 12 months.
We've labeled the tuition fee that applies to you because we think you are from and prefer over other currencies.

Living costs for Colchester

  • 660 - 1140 GBP/month
    Living Costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

StudyPortals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.

The Global Study Awards: get funded with up to £10,000 to study abroad

Together with the ISIC Association and British Council IELTS, StudyPortals offers you the chance to receive up to £10000 to expand your horizon and study abroad. We want to ultimately encourage you to study abroad in order to experience and explore new countries, cultures and languages.

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