MSc Public Opinion and Political Behaviour

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Essex

Program Overview

The MSc Public Opinion and Political Behaviour is an exciting programme for students who want to understand why people think and act the way they do in political contexts — from elections and voting preferences to how citizens form opinions about policy, identity and leadership. You’ll combine theory and data to explore real-world political behaviour, giving you the confidence to interpret surveys, understand political trends and explain how societies make decisions.
This master’s is ideal if you enjoy analysing people-centred political questions, want to work with evidence and data, and aspire to careers where understanding public opinion really matters.

Year 1 (Full-time, one year)
In your one-year MSc, you’ll begin with foundational training in the core concepts of public opinion and political behaviour, helping you understand how political scientists measure and interpret what citizens think and why they act the way they do. You’ll develop practical skills in data analysis and research design while engaging with modules that explore voting behaviour, political communication, attitudes and public values.
Throughout the year, optional modules will allow you to tailor your degree to your passions — such as examining democratic engagement, media effects on politics, comparative political behaviour or advanced research methods — building both theoretical insight and analytical expertise.

Focus areas: political behaviour, public attitudes, voting patterns, survey research, political communication
Learning outcomes: ability to interpret and analyse public opinion data, strong understanding of behavioural political research, advanced communication and research design skills
Professional alignment (accreditation): While not professionally accredited, this programme equips you with analytical skills and methodological training that employers value in research, policy, consulting and public opinion sectors
Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Essex is recognised for excellence in political and social science research, giving your qualification strong academic credibility

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the strengths of the MSc Public Opinion and Political Behaviour is how it blends theory with practical data and research skills. Rather than just reading about politics, you’ll work with real political data, learn how to design and conduct surveys, and interpret findings that are directly relevant to understanding democratic behaviour. You’ll graduate not only with strong conceptual knowledge but with the tools and confidence to work with data — a major advantage in today’s evidence-driven world:

Hands-on training in quantitative research methods, giving you real skills in survey analysis and data interpretation
Assessment through practical research projects, where you design, analyse and present findings using real datasets
Independent research and dissertation project, letting you investigate a topic you’re passionate about under academic supervision
Access to the Essex Library’s rich academic resources, including political science journals, datasets and digital databases
Supportive research environment in a department with strong expertise in political behaviour and public opinion research
Discussion-based teaching that connects academic research with real-world voting patterns, media effects and communication dynamics

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc in Public Opinion and Political Behaviour stand out because they not only understand political ideas — they can also analyse and interpret data about people’s opinions and behaviour. This combination of theory and analytical skill opens up exciting career paths in policy, research and communication:

Careers and Employability Service support, offering personalised career advice, help with CVs and job applications, and preparation for interviews in research-focused roles
Valuable analytical skills, including survey design, statistical analysis and evidence-based interpretation — all of which are in demand in public policy, market research and political consultancy
Strong graduate outcomes, with alumni going into careers such as public opinion researcher, policy analyst, data analyst in political environments, campaign strategist, and research consultant
Transferable communication and research skills, valuable for sectors including government, NGOs, polling organisations, media and academia

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re inspired by research during your MSc, this programme provides a strong foundation for PhD or doctoral study in political science, public opinion, political behaviour or related social sciences. The research-led teaching and dissertation experience give you the analytical grounding needed for postgraduate research.