Course summary
The extended MA in Politics gives you stimulating high level training in the core components of contemporary political analysis across different levels of government, and a solid grounding in research skills and theoretical approaches to politics and governance. The degree will equip you with skills to conduct qualitative and quantitative research independently and to develop your own research project as part of your thesis. You will then have the opportunity to select options that focus on global, comparative and British politics, as well as development studies and international relations. Our partner universities for the EMA Politics are the Catholic University of Lille in France (https://espol.school/en/) and the Department of Political Science at Arhus University in Denmark (https://ps.au.dk/en/). Extending your studies with a term at one of these partners offers the opportunity to nurture your interests in European Politics, Environmental Politics, welfare policies in comparison, or the study of public opinion and elections (depending on the choice of partner). A semester abroad will enrich your degree with exposure to different cultures, traditions and create memorable experiences for life.
Modules
You will study four compulsory 20-credit modules on politics and research methods, and a further two optional modules. Then you take a 60-credit dissertation project in the second part of the course. Compulsory modules are: Methodology in the Social Sciences; Analysing Politics and International Relations; Democracy and Constitutional Design; and Devolution in Comparative Perspective.
Assessment method
The Department of Politics, Philosophy and International Relations offers a portfolio of five taught postgraduate programmes leading to a Master of Arts (MA) degree based on one year of study (on a full-time basis). Most include an extended variant which allows students to spend a semester abroad. Students can also enrol on a full time or part-time basis and study for a certificate (60 credits) or diploma (120 credits), rather than a degree (180 credits). Most programmes are taught by the department’s staff, but some involve collaboration with other departments or schools, especially in the provision of optional modules. Our postgraduate students come both from the UK and Europe, but also from Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Pacific, providing a wealth of cultural diversity to both our university and our city. International students can apply for a range of scholarships at Swansea University, including Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships. Each MA programme includes compulsory modules as well as several optional modules recommended by the department (see details by programme below). Students can avail, however, from the large postgraduate module offering of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Entry requirements
The typical entry requirement is a 2:2 degree with a minimum of 55% overall (or overseas equivalent). For applicants whose first language is not English, we require IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English test.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP