Expand+How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 12th August 2022 fo...

Hide-How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 12th August 2022 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Expand+Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts subject, or a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University i...

Hide-Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts subject, or a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience.

International Students For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

• Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

• Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Expand+Overview
The MA Politics is a broad-based programme, offering students a good grounding in the discipline of political science. This MA gives students the opportunity to engage with core theories, concepts, issues and debates in politics. Students m...

Hide-Overview
The MA Politics is a broad-based programme, offering students a good grounding in the discipline of political science. This MA gives students the opportunity to engage with core theories, concepts, issues and debates in politics. Students may tailor their programme to their own interests by their choice of optional modules and dissertation, from Irish politics and European politics to political theory and comparative politics, which build on the strengths of the school's research. The masters offers a unique perspective on multi-level politics in Europe, at the regional, national, and European levels and on the policy issues of the time, including energy transitions and climate change, ethnic conflict, gender, and democratic legitimacy.

The aim of the MA in Politics is to deepen students' understanding of important contemporary issues in political studies through the enhancement of students' analytical skills, research and writing talent, and capacity for utilising theoretical approaches. These are all important transferrable skills, highly valued in the job market. The programme is of particular interest to those wishing to know more about Irish politics (North and South), European politics, territorial politics, political conflict, and political theory.

Belfast is a globally significant location and Politics is about conflict, debate and the contest of ideas, making Belfast, where such things are part of everyday reality, an ideal place to study the subject. Northern Ireland is viewed as a model of conflict resolution and peace building across the world.

Students can directly benefit from the School and University’s wider expertise in political theory, comparative politics, Irish and Northern Irish politics, gender and environmental politics, security studies, border studies, terrorism and political violence.

Learning and Teaching
Most modules are taught through seminars, which combine short lectures, class discussions, group work and other in-class activities. Class size is around 15-20 students. Our Virtual Learning Environment also provides opportunities for online activities such as discussion groups, reading groups, and quizzes (uses vary between modules).

Cognitive Skills

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self-reflective and practice sound judgement and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability, think critically and pursue independent research.

Provides learners with the opportunity to develop generic analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills.

Provides learners with the ability to solve problems, process and prioritise a wide variety of information, and express arguments and positions in oral and written form.

The learner will develop their basic knowledge of the general methodological and theoretical approaches of Politics as well as enhance their basic history of the discipline and knowledge of its specific concepts, issues and vocabulary.

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self-reflexive and practice sound judgement and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability to think critically and pursue independent research.

Knowledge and Understanding

To equipment students with a set of key, subject, employability and transferable skills; to encourage a professional attitude towards self-organisation; and to provide students with the intellectual tools to reflect upon the subject of Politics both by theoretical explorations of the nature of Politics and by comparison between societies.

Provides students with a knowledge and understanding of core debars in the subject, and fosters an attitude of self-motivated and independent learning.

It enables students to research political phenomena, events and arguments/ideas.

Provides a grounding in the key issues in contemporary politics and normative theory, British Politics, Irish Politics, European Politics, International Relations Policy and Comparative Ethnic Conflict (depending on modules chosen).

Subject Specific Skills

Able to evaluate different interpretations of political issues and events.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different political systems, the nature and distribution of power in them; the social, economic, historical and cultural contexts within which they operate, and the relationships between them.

Apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics to the analysis of political ideas, institutions and practices.

Understand the nature and significance of politics as a human activity.

Expand+Course Structure
Students take six taught modules, including to compulsory modules in the first semester, which introduce them to the core of the discipline and teach the skills necessary to conduct research. They must also complete the Dissertation...

Hide-Course Structure
Students take six taught modules, including to compulsory modules in the first semester, which introduce them to the core of the discipline and teach the skills necessary to conduct research. They must also complete the Dissertation module. Each taught module is worth 20 credits. The Dissertation is worth 60 credits.

Course Details
The MA offers students with the possibility to study a wide range of topics or specialise in Irish politics, political theory, European politics, or comparative politics:

• Irish Politics modules: PAI7022 The Politics of the Republic of Ireland, PAI7021 The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland, & PAI7102 Global Ireland
• Political Theory modules: PAI7098 Democratic Challenges & PHL7057 Social Injustice
• European Politics modules: PAI7099 The UK and Europe & PAI7052 Institutions and Policies of the EU
• Comparative Politics modules: PAI7032 Gender, Politics and Democracy, PAI7038 Theories in Comparative Politics, PAI7050 Ethnic Conflict and Consensus, & PAI7100 Engaging Citizens in Democratic Institutions
Other modules are available in the list below

Overview
The programme has three different components: Core modules, Elective modules, and an MA dissertation.

Semester 1 (Autumn) To acquire foundational knowledge and understanding in Politics, students will take core modules introducing research methods for the study of politics, as well as core issues in the comparative study of territorial politics (devolution, regionalism, and federalism). Students also choose an optional module.

CORE MODULES
HAP7001 - Approaches to Research Design
PAI7101 Comparative Territorial Politics

ELECTIVE MODULES

Students must also choose ONE optional module in Semester 1 from:

PAI7022 - The Politics of the Republic of Ireland
PAI7098 - Democratic Challenges
PAI7099 – The UK and Europe
PAI7038 – Theories in Comparative Politics
PAI9099 - Dissertation research commences.

Semester 2 (Spring)
Students choose AT LEAST TWO modules from the following list:

PAI7052 - Institutions and Policies of the EU
PAI7021 - The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland
PAI7032 - Gender, Politics and Democracy
PAI7100 – Engaging citizens in democratic institutions
PHL 7057 Social Injustice

AND Students choose ONE module from the following list (if necessary):
PAI7102 Global Ireland
PAI7030 – International Political Economy
PAI7036 - The Politics and Political Economy of Energy and Low Carbon Energy Transitions
PAI7050 - Ethnic Conflict and Consensus

PAI9099 - Dissertation research continues.

Summer PAI9099 - Dissertation (15,000 words maximum)

Expand+Career Prospects
Introduction
All of the Masters programmes offered in the School provide our graduates with the skills to pursue a wide range of careers in the private, public and voluntary sectors. MA Politics graduates are now working in careers...

Hide-Career Prospects
Introduction
All of the Masters programmes offered in the School provide our graduates with the skills to pursue a wide range of careers in the private, public and voluntary sectors. MA Politics graduates are now working in careers with local, devolved and national government, policy analysis and advocacy for NGOs and charities. Many are also in the private sector working as lawyers, in the media and in management consultancy or public affairs. The MA also provides an appropriate basis for those who wish to proceed to Doctoral-level study.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/