Course summary

Despite challenges to its global dominance from China and Russia, the US is widely considered the sole superpower of our multi-polar world, a vital force in international politics and source of fascination to outside observers. On this course, one of the few postgraduate programmes in the UK focused on US politics, you can delve into the personalities and power behind the Oval Office or explore the impact of the iconic civil rights movement on American culture and politics. You’ll conduct research alongside our leading political scientists, including specialists on the US Presidency and developments in US criminal justice policy. Why study this course?

• Keele was one of the first universities in the UK to offer a degree in international relations over 50 years ago and has a longstanding reputation as one of the foremost centres for political studies.

• Benefit from leading expertise across diverse subjects, from security studies and environmental protest movements, to international political economy and development, and history.

• Specialist knowledge of Britain, the European Union, Western and Central Europe, Eurasia, the Balkans, USA and Middle East, has led to staff advising governments and testifying in Parliament.

• Undertake action research with immediate impact – one recent project looked at receptiveness to Covid Vaccination, another analysed reasons for the shortage of HGV drivers in the UK.

• High staff-to-student ratio enhanced by small-group tutorials and a strong, inclusive research community with opportunities to engage with the Keele Model United Nations society.