Study location	United Kingdom, Colchester Campus
Type	Master courses, full-time
Nominal duration	1 year
Study language	English
Awards	MA

Tuition fee	To be confirmed

Entry qualification	Undergraduate diploma (or higher) A degree with an overall grade of 2.2. The entry qualification documents are accepted in any language

Language requirements	English Accepted proof of proficiency: Cambridge English, IELTS, TOEFL or other equivalent IELTS: 6.5 overall (with a minimum component score of 5.5) CAE: C

Other requirements	At least 1 reference(s) must be provided. Reference should be written on official letterhead, signed and dated. Please upload it in the Documents section. CV

More information	Expenses, accommodation, working etc. essex.ac.uk/..tercourse=PG00726&subgroup=1

Overview

These questions have exercised minds since ancient Athens and, in recent years, they have received new interpretations in political theory, one of the most intellectually fertile sub-disciplines of politics.

Our MA Political Theory will help you secure a solid grasp of key debates in social and political thought, give you a strong foundation in theoretical principles. You explore topics including:

- Research methods in critical political theory and analysis
- Classical and contemporary texts of political theory
- Democratic theory and social justice
- Philosophy of social science
- Ethics and public policy

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

Year 1

MA Dissertation
Political Theory
Research Seminar in Political Theory and Methods
Advanced Research Methods (optional)
Comparative European Politics (optional)
Conflict Resolution (optional)
Contemporary Theories of Justice (optional)
Ideology and Political Discourse (optional)
Environmental Politics (optional)
International Security Studies (optional)
Political Economy (optional)
Political Explanation (optional)
Political Parties in Britain and Europe (optional)
Public Opinion and Political Behaviour (optional)
Research Design (optional)
Theories of International Relations (optional)
Theory and Explanation in Political Science (optional)
Survey Measurement and Question Design (optional)

Career opportunities

This course will instil a wide range of analytical, critical, and communication skills that will enable you to pursue the career of your choice, whether in the public, private, or third sector, whether with a domestic or international focus.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organisations:

The Civil Service
Local government
The World Bank
The United Nations
NATO
YouGov and YouGov America

We also offer supervision for PhD and MPhil in the following fields: government; ideology and discourse analysis; international relations; political behaviour; and politics.