MA Social and Political Theory

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The MA in Social and Political Theory at the University of Exeter is a one-year program designed for students passionate about exploring the ideas that have shaped our world, offering deep dives into thinkers like Locke, Hegel, and Marx through research-led teaching and vibrant discussions. It's perfect for those with a background in politics, philosophy, or related fields who want to sharpen their critical thinking and prepare for careers in policy, academia, or public service—imagine joining a supportive community at the UK's largest hub for political thought experts.

### Curriculum Structure
Year 1 (Taught Modules and Dissertation):
You'll kick off with intensive seminars on core ideas, diving into Social and Political Thought, where you'll unpack foundational texts from key philosophers and theorists shaping modern debates on power, justice, and society. Building on that, modules like Political Theory and Contemporary Political Theory challenge you to analyze current issues through historical lenses, with plenty of group discussions, presentations, and debates to hone your arguments. By the third term, you'll craft a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic you love, guided by experts like Dr. Sarah Drews Lucas, whose work on feminist agency and critical theory will inspire your own research.

### Focus Areas
Dive into diverse approaches to political thought, from classical texts and historians to contemporary feminist philosophy, critical theory, and interdisciplinary dialogues on identity, human rights, and global challenges—all fueled by the Centre for Political Thought's weekly Reading Group.

### Learning Outcomes
Gain advanced skills in analyzing complex texts, crafting persuasive arguments, debating high-stakes ideas, and conducting original research, plus practical abilities like presenting work to experts and engaging in interdisciplinary seminars that boost your confidence for real-world application.

### Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This program aligns perfectly with careers in government, NGOs, think tanks, media, and academia, building transferable skills like policy analysis, negotiation, leadership, and empirical research—no formal accreditation needed, but it's backed by Exeter's world-leading Politics department.

### Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Exeter's Politics department ranks in the UK's top 10 (Guardian University Guide 2025) and top 100 globally (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025), with graduates landing roles in public policy and international organizations thanks to our research excellence and employability focus.

Ready to take the next step? Apply now and let's chat about how this fits your goals: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/politics/polthoughtma/

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

# Why the MA in Social and Political Theory at University of Exeter is Perfect for You

The MA Social and Political Theory is designed to give you far more than just theoretical knowledge—it's built around active, hands-on learning that develops the critical thinking and research skills employers value. You won't be passively absorbing lectures. Instead, you'll engage directly with cutting-edge research through group work, class discussions, and student presentations, where you'll develop incisive questioning skills and learn to defend your ideas in a rigorous intellectual environment. The programme sharpens your ability to read critically and engage with complex ideas, but it does so through collaborative learning that mirrors real professional environments.

The University of Exeter provides exceptional facilities and resources specifically designed to support your studies in political thought and theory:

- Centre for Political Thought: A vibrant hub housing one of the largest clusters of political theorists in the UK, where you'll participate in the weekly Reading Group in Political Theory—a term-time seminar where postgraduate and PhD students present research and discuss classical and contemporary texts alongside faculty and visiting scholars from other universities
- Interdisciplinary seminars and workshops: Regular seminars and the university's annual postgraduate conference bring together researchers across humanities and social sciences, exposing you to diverse perspectives and methodologies
- State-of-the-art research facilities: Access to computerised language labs, lecture theatres, and dedicated seminar rooms designed for collaborative work
- Comprehensive library and documentation resources: The university's libraries house extensive collections of academic texts, journals, and primary sources essential for political theory research
- Research centres and institutes: You'll have connections to multiple research hubs including the Centre for European Studies, Centre of Advanced International Studies, and Centre for Political Thought, each offering seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities
- Supportive postgraduate research environment: Over ninety research students currently enrolled create a community where you can discuss ideas, develop professionally through conferences and workshops, and engage in interdisciplinary collaboration

This combination of structured teaching, collaborative learning spaces, and access to world-leading research facilities ensures you graduate with both theoretical mastery and the practical skills needed to succeed in policy, academia, journalism, or professional advisory roles.

Explore the full range of facilities and resources available to you: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=arabislamicstudies

Progression & Future Opportunities

At the University of Exeter's MA in Social and Political Theory (our program in Political Thought), you'll dive into practical, hands-on learning that builds real-world skills in political analysis, critical thinking, and collaborative research—essential for careers in policy, advocacy, or academia. Through group work, class discussions, student presentations, and exposure to cutting-edge media like videos, audio, newspapers, and journals, you'll sharpen your ability to tackle complex political ideas just like our expert faculty do in their research. The Centre for Political Thought provides an vibrant hub for this, with weekly reading groups where you discuss texts and ideas alongside staff, PhD students, and visiting scholars from other universities—often in hybrid format for flexibility.

This practical edge is powered by top-notch facilities tailored to political theory and related studies:
- State-of-the-art Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies facilities, including a computerised language lab, seminar rooms, lecture theatres, lounge, satellite TV for Middle Eastern channels, and a gallery for art exhibitions—perfect for immersing in global political contexts.
- Weekly Reading Group in Political Theory (Amory B310, hybrid sessions), fostering group discussions, interdisciplinary exchanges, and professional development through conferences and workshops.
- Arab World Documentation Unit in the Research Commons, stocked with academic textbooks, press cuttings, government papers, reports, periodicals, and materials in English, Arabic, and Hebrew for hands-on research.
- Group projects and collaborative modules like interdisciplinary challenges with external partners, blending research, fieldwork, and creative workshops across social sciences and humanities to solve real-world issues.

These opportunities make Exeter the ideal place to turn theory into action—imagine contributing to published symposia or international networks right from your MA. Ready to apply and build those skills? Check the full facilities list here: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=arabislamicstudies.