MA Politics

1 Year Part Time Masters Program

Nottingham Trent University

Program Overview

### Program Overview
The MA Politics at Nottingham Trent University is perfect for anyone passionate about understanding and shaping political systems, especially if you have a background in social sciences and want hands-on skills for real-world impact. You'll dive into British politics, public policy foundations, and diplomacy through simulations and local projects, building expertise to become a confident policymaker or advocate.

### Curriculum Structure
In your first year, you'll build a strong foundation with core modules like Public Policy, where you'll critically explore theories, concepts, and current trends in policymaking using innovative online tools alongside traditional methods. You'll also tackle British Politics, examining how citizens engage with democratic institutions, shifting participation patterns, and their effects on public support for democracy. This sets you up with practical insights right from the start, blending theory with real debates.

Moving into advanced study, you'll sharpen negotiation skills in Negotiating in International Contexts, centered on EU decision-making simulations that prepare top performers for international competitions like EuroSim or Model UN. You'll form reasoned arguments, boost public speaking confidence, and apply diplomacy in team settings. These experiences make learning dynamic and directly relevant to global political challenges.

In the final phase, you'll focus on research and application through modules like Researching Political Issues, developing skills to analyze political phenomena with rigorous social science methods. Culminating in a dissertation or work-based project, you'll tailor your work to personal interests, drawing on everything from policy labs to civic networks. This capstone ensures you graduate with a portfolio of practical achievements.

### Focus Areas
Our program emphasizes an applied and collaborative approach, outward-facing local engagement with groups via the Nottingham Civic Exchange think tank, citizens' roles in policy processes, and strong employability support through simulations, career development, and expertise from Social Sciences and Business School.

### Learning Outcomes
You'll gain foundational theoretical and practical knowledge in public policy and politics, enhanced negotiation and diplomacy skills, critical analysis of democratic trends and global issues, and hands-on experience in simulations, research methods, and real-world projects with civic partners—preparing you to influence policy effectively.

### Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The program aligns closely with professional policymaking, offering access to Policy Labs, the Nottingham Civic Exchange internal think tank, local civic networks, and practitioner-guided simulations in areas like government, international security, and youth outreach—no formal accreditation noted, but designed by experts for direct career entry.

### Reputation (Employability Rankings)
NTU's Social Sciences programs, including Politics, benefit from strong employability focus with dedicated career support, guest lectures by politicians, and extracurriculars like Model UN—while specific QS or Guardian rankings for this MA aren't detailed, the university's emphasis on practical skills and networks positions graduates for roles in advocacy, analysis, and public service.

[Official program details](https://www.ntu.ac.uk/course/social-sciences/pg/msc-politics-and-public-policy)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Nottingham Trent University, our MA Politics program dives deep into experiential learning, where you'll build practical skills through hands-on research, real-world policy engagement, and collaboration with local partners—equipping you to tackle political challenges like a pro right from the start. You'll tap into top-notch facilities like university libraries, computer suites, and specialist spaces in the School of Social Sciences, plus get involved in activities such as negotiation simulations, guest lectures from politicians, and problem-solving workshops that mirror real policy work. This all ties directly into modules like Researching Political Issues and your dissertation or work-based experience, giving you the tools to apply theory on the ground.

Here's how you'll gain those edge-giving experiences::
- Practical research and policy projects: Undertake hands-on research on real policy issues with external or internal partners in the East Midlands region or beyond, through modules like the 60-credit Dissertation or Work-based Experience.
- Nottingham Civic Exchange: Join this internal think tank for outward-facing local engagement, collaborating on civic projects and tapping into the local network.
- Policy Labs: Dive into applied, collaborative sessions focused on citizens in the policy process, negotiation, and problem-solving.
- Group and interactive activities: Participate in group-based negotiation simulations, guest lectures by practitioners, and events across the Department of Politics and International Relations.
- University libraries and computer facilities: Full access to Boots Library's postgraduate study areas, 24-hour loan laptops, IT suites, and computer rooms for your research and analysis.
- Postgraduate Centre: Exclusive study spaces, bookable meeting rooms, flexible classrooms, a tiered lecture theatre, employability services, and research centres designed for collaboration.
- School of Social Sciences facilities: Specialist labs, interview suites, and postgraduate-only spaces to hone your skills in politics and policy research.
- Chaucer and Newton Buildings: Modern classrooms, lecture theatres, and social spaces at City Campus for immersive learning.

These opportunities will set you up for a standout career in politics or policy—imagine walking into interviews with real projects under your belt. Ready to apply and make an impact? Check out the full facilities list here: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/postgraduate/why-ntu/postgraduate-facilities

Progression & Future Opportunities

At Nottingham Trent University, our MA Politics program dives deep into experiential learning, where you'll build practical skills through hands-on collaboration with real-world civic groups, negotiation simulations, and problem-solving activities that sharpen your policymaking expertise. You'll gain teamworking and communication strengths by working directly with local communities and tapping into NTU's Nottingham Civic Exchange—our internal think tank that connects you to live policy challenges. Plus, with access to university libraries, computer facilities, and dedicated postgraduate spaces, you'll have the tools to turn theory into action right from day one.

Here's how our facilities and opportunities make that possible for MA Politics students::
- Work with local civic networks and community groups: Engage in outward-facing projects that propose real policy solutions and boost your advocacy skills.
- Negotiation simulations and problem-solving activities: Join events with guest lectures from politicians and practitioners to practice real-world scenarios.
- Nottingham Civic Exchange (internal think tank): Collaborate on policy labs and research seminars within the Department of Politics and International Relations.
- University libraries and computer facilities: Full access including Boots Library's postgraduate study areas, 24-hour loan laptops, and IT suites for research.
- Postgraduate Centre: Bookable meeting rooms, flexible classrooms, tiered lecture theatres, and research centres designed for collaboration—just minutes from City Campus.
- Newton Building resources: Computer rooms, open-access areas, and laptop loan dispensers for workshops and independent study.
- School of Social Sciences specialist facilities: Dedicated postgraduate study spaces, plus employability support and events across Social Sciences.

These resources are tailored to help you thrive in politics and step confidently into your career—imagine applying right now to start building that edge. Check out the full facilities list here: [NTU Postgraduate Facilities](https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/postgraduate/why-ntu/postgraduate-facilities).