University of Essex
Political Science MSc
University of Essex

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Course Description

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 MA 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.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees

Research councils and some University of Essex studentships available.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Political Science, MSc, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Political Science MSc

England UK £10000 year 1
Northern Ireland £10000 year 1
Scotland £10000 year 1
Wales £10000 year 1
Channel Islands £10000 year 1
Ireland £10000 year 1
EU £21700 year 1
International £21700 year 1

Additional fee information

Fees displayed are for 2024-25 entry. Fees for part-time courses are calculated pro-rata to the relevant full-time fee.

Tuition fees may be subject to annual increases in each year of study in line with inflation.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of University of Essex in top UK and global rankings.

See all 29 university rankings of University of Essex

About University of Essex

The University of Essex, is a public, research university where curiosity prevails and thinking outside the box isn’t just encouraged, it’s expected. Based in the county of the same name, Essex, the main campus is located in Wivenhoe Park, near Colchester. It is home to the university’s three faculties, Humanities, Science & Health and Social Sciences, as well as a very large community of local rabbits, and other small fauna typical of the English countryside.

List of 921 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Essex - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Essex

undergraduates:
12070
postgraduates:
3690
Total:
15760
  • Life at The Towers - University of Essex Accommodation Colchester Campus
  • MA Jungian and Post-Jungian Studies at the University of Essex
  • Interview with Shaun Barbour, Top Undergraduate Law Graduate 2019 | University of Essex Online
  • Let’s Speak to our Modern Languages Graduates at the University of Essex
  • Why Study at Essex Business School in Southend?

Where is this programme taught

Colchester Campus
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Arabic and Politics MA (Hons) The University of Edinburgh 64% 5% 2% £9250 £26500 197 Edinburgh On campus Full-time
French and Politics MA (Hons) The University of Edinburgh 64% 5% 0% £9250 £26500 195 Edinburgh On campus Full-time
Legal Studies and Politics MA (Hons) University of Aberdeen 87% 5% 5% £9250 £21900 £20800 194 Aberdeen On campus Full-time
Politics with Quantitative Research Methods MSc University of Bristol - 7% 1% £9250 £23900 170 Bristol On campus Full-time
English and Politics MA (Hons) University of Dundee 75% 5% 6% £9250 £20900 173 Dundee On campus Full-time
Business Economics with Marketing and Politics MA (Hons) University of Dundee 68% 10% 0% £9250 £20900 174 Dundee On campus Full-time
History and Politics MA (Hons) University of Aberdeen 87% 0% 0% £9250 £21900 £20800 214 Aberdeen On campus Full-time
Gaelic Studies and Politics MA (Hons) University of Aberdeen 87% 5% 5% £9250 £21900 £20800 185 Aberdeen On campus Full-time
Anthropology and Politics MA (Hons) University of Aberdeen 93% 0% 0% £9250 £21900 £20800 178 Aberdeen On campus Full-time
Business Management and Politics MA (Hons) University of Aberdeen 87% 5% 5% £9250 £21900 £20800 178 Aberdeen On campus Full-time