Integrated Master in Politics: Politics and International Relations (Including Placement Year)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Essex

Program Overview

This integrated Master’s is perfect if you’re passionate about global affairs, power, diplomacy and want to graduate one step ahead—with a Master’s degree built into your undergraduate studies. You’ll explore how governments make decisions, why conflicts happen, how international organisations function, and learn to analyse political events using real data and research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
You start by building strong foundations in both politics and international relations. Core modules such as Introduction to Politics (GV100), Introduction to International Relations (GV103) and Contemporary Topics in International Relations (GV113) help you understand political systems, global debates and the key ideas shaping world politics today.

Year 2
In your second year, you go deeper into political theory and global challenges. You’ll study International Relations: Theories and Approaches (GV214), Conflict Analysis (GV217) and can develop research skills through Political Analysis: Introduction to OLS (GV207). This year is all about understanding why wars happen, how power operates globally and how we can analyse political behaviour using evidence.

Placement Year (optional)
You can spend a year working in government organisations, NGOs, think tanks or global companies—gaining hands-on experience and building your CV before graduating.

Year 3
You apply everything you’ve learned through a Capstone Project (30 credits)—designing your own research on a political or international issue you care about. Alongside this, you choose optional modules from areas like human rights, development, political communication, diplomacy or global justice.

Year 4 (Master’s Level)
Your final year is taught at postgraduate level. You’ll take advanced modules like Political Explanation (GV900), Quantitative Research (GV903) or International Relations Theory (GV914/GV950). You’ll think critically, use professional research tools and graduate with an Integrated Master’s (MPol/MIntRel).

Focus Areas (in a string)

International relations, political theory, conflict and peace, global governance, democracy and elections, human rights, development politics, diplomacy, terrorism and security studies.

Learning Outcomes (in a string)

Advanced understanding of political and international theories; ability to analyse real-world political events using qualitative and quantitative methods; independent research and critical thinking skills; confident communication, debate and academic writing abilities.

Professional Alignment

This course doesn’t have a specific professional accreditation, but it aligns closely with careers in diplomacy, policy analysis, political consulting, research and international organisations.

Reputation & Employability

Essex’s Department of Government is ranked Top 10 in the UK and has been one of the leading political science departments since 1986.
Known internationally for political data analysis and international relations research.
Graduates go on to work in the UK Civil Service, UN agencies, NGOs, public affairs, global media and political risk firms.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

What makes this course stand out is that you don’t just study politics and international relations—you actually experience it. From analysing real political data to debating global crises, you’ll constantly apply theory to real-world situations. Essex gives you the space, tools, and opportunities to test your ideas, gain confidence, and build a strong professional profile while you study.

You’ll learn in a department known for research excellence, take part in simulations and debates, and if you choose the placement year, you can work in government offices, NGOs, think tanks, or political consultancies—gaining career-ready experience before you even graduate.

Here’s what experiential learning looks like in this program:

Placement Year or Year Abroad — You can spend a full year working or studying abroad, where you apply classroom learning to real political environments—whether that’s in policy offices, embassies, NGOs, charities, or international institutions.
Political Research Training — Modules like Doing Political Research and master s-level courses train you in qualitative and quantitative research methods, data interpretation, and political analysis using professional research tools.
Student-led Diplomatic Experiences — Join societies like Model United Nations, Politics Society, and Debate Club, where you’ll negotiate peace deals, draft resolutions, debate policies, and develop public-speaking and diplomacy skills.
Capstone Research Project — In your third year, you design and carry out an independent research project on a political or international issue you're passionate about—with academic supervision and access to university archives and digital data tools.
Access to the Albert Sloman Library & Research Resources — You’ll use one of the UK’s best political science collections, including journals, archives, EU and UN reports, and 24/7 digital access for political analysis and fieldwork preparation.
Essex Politics Annual Student Conference — You’ll have the chance to present your own research, network with academics, meet guest speakers, and receive feedback like a real policy researcher.
Specialist Workspaces & Digital Tools — Study and collaborate in 24-hour learning spaces like the Silberrad Centre, research using software for data and political modelling, and work in group rooms designed for simulations, media projects, and political campaigns.
Career and Internship Support — The University’s Careers and Employability Service helps you secure internships, placements, and political mentoring opportunities, and supports you in building a LinkedIn profile, CV, and professional portfolio tailored to international relations and politics careers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this integrated Master’s don’t just leave with a degree—they graduate with the skills, confidence and professional experience to step straight into impactful careers. Because you finish with a Master’s-level qualification, you’ll stand out from standard BA graduates and be competitive for roles in government, diplomacy, global organisations and policy research.

Typical career paths include:
• Policy Adviser or Civil Service Officer
• Diplomatic Service / Foreign Affairs Officer
• Political Risk or International Relations Analyst
• NGO / International Development Project Officer

How Essex helps you get there:

Careers & Employability Service – Offers 1-to-1 CV and interview coaching, employer networking fairs, internship matching and global graduate job search tools.
Placement Year Advantage – The placement year builds real experience in places like embassies, think tanks, political campaigns, charities, NGOs and government departments.
Graduate Success – Recent data shows 100% of Essex Politics & International Relations graduates were in work or further study within 15 months of finishing.
Salary Insight – Graduates from related Essex politics courses are earning an average salary of around £26,500 within 15 months (DiscoverUni).
Industry & Institutional Links – Essex’s Department of Government works with organisations such as the Civil Service Fast Stream, local government, global NGOs, think tanks and research institutes, offering guest talks, projects and networking.
Academic Reputation = Career Value – Essex is recognised as one of the top politics departments in the UK, consistently ranked highly for research and teaching. Employers know the strength of this department.

Further Academic Progression:

If you want to study further, you’ll already have a Master’s-level qualification built in. From here, students often move on to:

PhD in Politics or International Relations
MA/MSc in Public Policy, Diplomacy, Security Studies or Development Studies
Professional routes into law, public administration or international organisations