Politics with Quantitative Methods MA (Hons)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Edinburgh

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about understanding how governments work, why societies change, and how data can shape better decisions, this degree is designed for you. It combines the study of political systems and ideas with the practical skills of data analysis, giving you the tools to explore real-world political questions through evidence and numbers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year builds a strong foundation in political theory and global politics through courses like Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates and Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension. At the same time, you’ll start developing essential analytical skills with modules such as Mathematics for Social Science and Introduction to Statistics for Social Science.

Year 2
You’ll dive deeper into political systems and research methods, exploring how societies are compared and analysed in Comparative Politics in a Globalised World and Doing Social Research with Statistics. Alongside these, you can tailor your learning with a range of optional courses that match your interests.

Year 3
This is where your learning becomes more focused and advanced. You’ll study topics like Statistical Modelling and Research Design, and choose from specialised modules such as International Political Economy, Global Security, Human Rights, or Advanced Statistical Methods, honing your expertise in both politics and data analysis.

Year 4
In your final year, you’ll take advanced option courses and complete an independent Honours Dissertation on a topic you’re passionate about. This major project is your chance to bring together everything you’ve learned and showcase your ability to investigate real political issues using data.

Focus areas: Political theory, governance, policy analysis, data analytics, quantitative research
Learning outcomes: Deep understanding of political systems, strong data and statistical skills, independent research capability, and evidence-based decision-making
Professional alignment: Builds highly sought-after skills for roles in government, policy, data analysis, NGOs, and consultancy
Reputation: Edinburgh ranks among the UK’s top 10 for Politics (QS World University Rankings by Subject)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Studying Politics with Quantitative Methods at the University of Edinburgh is much more than lectures and textbooks — it’s about learning by doing. From your very first year, you’ll start working with real political data, analysing trends, and solving contemporary policy challenges using the same tools and techniques professionals use in government, think tanks, and research organisations. The programme is designed to build your confidence in data-driven decision-making while sharpening your political insight through hands-on projects, collaborative work, and original research.

Here’s how Edinburgh helps you turn theory into practice:

Practical data training from day one: Core courses like Mathematics for Social Science and Introduction to Statistics introduce you to statistical tools and data analysis techniques that you’ll apply to real-world political questions.
Collaborative group projects: Throughout your degree, you’ll work with classmates on group presentations, research tasks, and policy briefs — experiences that mirror how political analysts and policy teams operate in the real world.
Independent research dissertation: In your final year, you’ll design and complete your own research project, collecting and analysing data to answer a question that matters to you in politics or public policy.
Study abroad opportunities: Many students spend their third year at one of Edinburgh’s global partner universities, gaining first-hand experience of different political systems and broadening their perspective on international politics.
Cutting-edge digital tools: You’ll have access to industry-standard software like SPSS, Stata, NVivo, and SAS — the same platforms used by professional data analysts and policy researchers.
World-class research environment: You’ll learn alongside leading experts and can engage with specialist centres such as the Q-Step Academy, Neuropolitics Research Lab, SKAPE, and AQMEN, all focused on political research and advanced data methods.
Innovation labs and interdisciplinary spaces: Through the Edinburgh Futures Institute, you can take part in real-world projects at the Public Services Innovation Lab, Digital Influence and Intelligence Lab, and Data + Design Lab, applying your skills to live policy and data challenges.
Advanced research support: Edinburgh provides tools like Jupyter notebooks, open research platforms, and dedicated data services to help you work with complex datasets and ensure your projects are rigorous and reproducible.
Excellent facilities and support: From modern study spaces and computing labs to the Undergraduate Skills Hub — offering workshops, one-to-one coaching, and career support — everything is designed to help you succeed academically and professionally.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A degree in Politics with Quantitative Methods from the University of Edinburgh opens doors to a wide range of exciting careers. Employers across government, policy, research, and the private sector are actively seeking graduates who can not only understand political systems but also interpret and analyse complex data. This combination of political insight and analytical skill makes you highly valuable in today’s data-driven world. Many graduates step into roles such as:

Policy Analyst or Advisor
Data Analyst or Researcher
Public Sector Research Officer
Political Consultant or Campaign Strategist

Here’s how Edinburgh prepares you for success beyond graduation:

Tailored career support: The University’s award-winning Careers Service offers one-to-one guidance, CV and interview workshops, and exclusive networking events with employers in government, NGOs, research, and consultancy.
Strong employment outcomes: Graduates from politics-related degrees at Edinburgh report average starting salaries of around £32,000 within 15 months of graduation, with most employed in meaningful roles soon after finishing their studies.
Industry partnerships that matter: Through the nationally recognised Q-Step Academy, you’ll benefit from specialist training in quantitative methods and direct links to employers seeking data-savvy social science graduates.
Skills that stay relevant: The blend of political knowledge and data expertise ensures your degree remains in high demand, opening career paths across policy, international development, think tanks, consultancy, and the tech sector.
Proven graduate success: Edinburgh politics graduates consistently secure roles across the public and private sectors, working in government departments, research organisations, political consultancies, and global NGOs.

Further Academic Progression:
Your degree also sets you up perfectly for postgraduate study. Many students go on to pursue master’s degrees in political science, public policy, data science, or statistics to deepen their expertise. Others continue into PhD research, contributing new knowledge to political science and quantitative social research. You could also join research projects or assistantships within Edinburgh’s world-class institutes, building experience and academic credentials that pave the way for future opportunities.