MA Public Opinion and Political Behaviour

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Essex

Program Overview

The MA Public Opinion and Political Behaviour at the University of Essex explores how people form political views and how those views influence elections, governments and democratic systems. It is ideal for students interested in understanding voter behaviour, political attitudes, and the role of data and surveys in shaping modern politics.

Curriculum structure:

At the start of the programme, you develop a strong theoretical and practical foundation in political behaviour through core modules such as Public Opinion and Political Behaviour: Theories and Issues and Public Opinion and Political Behaviour: Methods and Practices. These modules introduce key debates around voting, political participation and opinion formation, while also teaching you how public opinion is measured and analysed.

As you progress, the focus shifts toward advanced research skills and independent analysis. Through modules like Research Design and optional units such as Quantitative Data Analysis or Survey Measurement and Question Design, you gain hands-on experience working with political data and research tools. The programme concludes with a supervised dissertation, allowing you to investigate a political behaviour topic of your choice in depth.

Focus areas (in a string):
Public opinion analysis, political behaviour, survey research, quantitative political analysis

Learning outcomes (in a string):
Understanding voter behaviour, ability to analyse political data, survey design skills, independent research capability

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Methodologically rigorous programme designed to prepare students for research-driven roles in politics, policy and public affairs

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Essex is internationally recognised for politics and social sciences, with its Department of Government consistently ranked among the top in the United Kingdom for research quality

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Learning on this programme is highly practical and research-focused. Students regularly apply theory to real political data, working with surveys, datasets and analytical tools used by political researchers and polling organisations. Teaching is delivered through seminars and workshops that encourage discussion, debate and hands-on data analysis, supported by Essex’s strong research culture.

This practical learning experience is strengthened through:

Survey research workshops, where students learn how political opinions are measured, tested and interpreted
Quantitative data analysis training, building confidence in analysing political behaviour using real datasets
Optional specialist modules, allowing students to focus on areas such as survey design or electoral politics
Independent dissertation supervision, providing one-to-one academic guidance on an original research project
Access to Essex libraries, digital databases and research software, supporting advanced political and social science research

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this programme develop strong analytical, research and data interpretation skills, preparing them for careers such as Public Opinion Researcher, Policy Analyst, Political Consultant, or Data Analyst in government, think tanks, polling agencies and media organisations.

These outcomes are supported through:

Essex Careers Services, offering tailored guidance, employer engagement and application support
The programme’s strong emphasis on transferable research and analytical skills, valued across public and private sectors
Close alignment with real-world political research practices, including survey design and data analysis
The department’s academic reputation, which strengthens graduate credibility in competitive research-focused roles

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates may go on to pursue doctoral study (PhD) in political behaviour, public opinion or political science, either at Essex or other leading research universities, supporting careers in academia, advanced policy research or high-level analysis roles.

Additional Information & Requirements

A 2.2 degree or international equivalent in one of the following subjects: American Studies Economics Finance International Relations International Studies Political Science Political Studies Statistics United States Politics

The following may also be considered: Applicants with a degree in an unrelated subject and have at least 5 years of work experience, such as working with a NGO, UN, or government. Please provide your CV. Applicants with a lower class degree where relevant modules have been studied with marks of 2:2 or above. Applicants who have achieved a first class degree in any subject.

IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.

TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score of 80

Country Requirements

INDIA: A degree with an overall grade of between 50 to 55% OR 5.3 to 5.8/10 OR 2.12 to 2.32/4 depending on the degree institution .

CHINA: A four year degree (or equivalent), with an overall grade of between 70-75%, OR CGPA 2.2-2.7/4 depending on the degree institution.

UNITED STATES: A degree with an overall grade of 2.5.

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