MA Politics

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Queens University Belfast

Program Overview

The MA in Politics at Queen's University Belfast is a flexible, one-year full-time (or three-year part-time) programme that dives deep into the core of political science, letting you explore pressing issues like democracy, Irish politics, European politics, political conflict, and political theory through tailored optional modules and a substantial dissertation. It's perfect for anyone passionate about understanding today's political world—whether you're building on a politics background or switching from another field—and it sharpens your analytical, research, and writing skills that employers love.

### Curriculum Structure
In the first semester, you'll build a strong foundation with two core modules: Studying Politics and Issues in Contemporary Politics, which introduce key theories, concepts, and research methods essential for political analysis, while honing your ability to sift information and craft arguments. These set you up perfectly for independent thinking as you tackle real-world debates right from the start.

Taught across both semesters, you'll choose from engaging optional modules like Comparative Territorial Politics, diving into how politics plays out across regions and borders, or others on Irish politics, European integration, and ethnic conflict, allowing you to customize your path. This hands-on structure—six 20-credit modules total, plus a 60-credit dissertation—builds your expertise through lectures, seminars, and practical research, culminating in your own in-depth project on a topic that excites you.

### Focus Areas
Key strengths include Irish politics (North and South), European politics, political theory, comparative politics, territorial politics, and comparative ethnic conflict, with flexibility to align with your interests.

### Learning Outcomes
You'll gain deep knowledge of contemporary political debates, advanced analytical and research skills, and transferable abilities like critical reasoning, time management, and effective communication—plus the confidence to independently explore political phenomena through essays, exams, and your dissertation.

### Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This programme emphasizes employability through practical skills in research, analysis, and self-organization, preparing you for roles in government, NGOs, policy, media, and beyond—no specific external accreditation, but it's designed with job-market demands in mind.

### Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Queen's Politics programmes boast strong graduate outcomes, with the university ranked in the top 170 worldwide for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022), reflecting our track record in placing alumni in influential political and policy careers.

Ready to take the next step? Apply now and let's chat about how this fits your goals: [https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/politics-ma/](https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/politics-ma/)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

# Why Queen's University Belfast's MA in Politics Offers Real-World Learning

The MA in Politics at Queen's University Belfast isn't just about reading theories in isolation—it's designed to give you hands-on experience that matters for your career. From day one, you'll develop practical research skills, presentation abilities, and critical thinking through embedded learning activities. The programme combines short lectures with active class discussions, group work, and real-world applications, all within small seminar groups of 15-20 students. This intimate setting means your instructors know you personally and can push you to develop the skills employers actually want.

Beyond the classroom, you'll have access to some of the UK's most impressive academic resources and support systems:

- Award-winning McClay Library with 1.2 million volumes, online research databases (ECCO, EEBO, HCPP), and over 2,000 reader seats with WiFi throughout
- Special Collections and Archives providing access to historical manuscripts, maps, and photographs dating back to the twelfth century—invaluable for original research projects
- Individual dissertation supervisor assigned to you throughout your research and writing, ensuring you develop professional research methods and academic writing skills
- Practical modules like "Approaches to Research Design" and "Democratic Challenges and Innovations" that teach you how to actually conduct and present research
- IT training rooms and support areas within the School facilities to ensure you're comfortable with contemporary research tools
- Gamble Library specializing in religious history and theology if your interests lean that direction
- Nearby Ulster Museum for contextual learning and access to global collections
- Postgraduate skills training programme including mentored employment as tutorial assistants, building your CV while studying
- Vibrant seminar series across the School community, exposing you to cutting-edge research debates
- Optional modules like "The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland" and "Interest Groups, Lobbying and Advocacy" that let you tailor your learning to real-world political issues

The programme emphasizes developing your writing skills—from note-taking and gathering information from contemporary and archival sources to crafting logical arguments in essays and dissertations. You're not just learning about politics; you're learning how to research, analyze, and communicate about it like a professional.

Access the full facilities available to you here: Queen's University Belfast School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics Facilities

Progression & Future Opportunities

In the MA Politics at Queen's University Belfast, you'll gain hands-on practical skills through seminars that mix short lectures, class discussions, group work, and in-class activities, building your research design, presentation, and teamwork abilities right from core modules like Approaches to Research Design and Democratic Challenges and Innovations. You'll work closely with an individual dissertation supervisor to hone independent research, organization, thesis structuring, professional writing, and presentation skills, all tailored to real-world political analysis. Class sizes of just 15-20 students ensure personalized feedback, while the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) lets you dive into online discussion groups, reading groups, and quizzes for collaborative learning.

Here are some standout ways the program and School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics deliver this experiential edge::

- Group seminars and activities: Engage in debates, discussions, small group/team work, and listening exercises across modules to sharpen critical reasoning, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills—essential for politics careers.
- Dissertation supervision: One-on-one guidance develops practical research, info-sifting, time management, and communication skills through drafting and presenting your independent project.
- Virtual Learning Environment tools: Access online platforms for discussion groups, reading groups, quizzes, and digital collaboration, boosting your ICT skills alongside traditional teaching.
- Award-winning McClay Library and Special Collections: Dive into 1.2 million volumes, online resources like ECCO/EEBO/HCPP for historical/political research, IT training rooms, inquiry points, 2,000+ seats, PCs, and WiFi—perfect for hands-on source analysis.
- Postgraduate research spaces: Dedicated computing facilities and office space (primarily for PhD but supporting MA-level work), plus skills training programs tied to research partnerships like Northern Bridge and NINE DTP.

This setup equips you with the real-world edge employers crave—imagine applying these skills to policy roles or advocacy. Ready to take the next step and apply? Check the full facilities details here: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/happ/student-experience/facilities/.