MRes Social Science Research

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The University of Exeter does not offer an MRes specifically in Politics; instead, it provides an MRes in Social Science Research through its top-ranked Politics and International Relations department, ideal for students passionate about developing advanced research skills in political topics like international relations, public policy, and comparative politics. This one-year program suits ambitious graduates with a politics background (or related field) who want to build expertise in designing research projects, analyzing data, and crafting rigorous arguments—preparing you perfectly for PhD study or research roles in government, NGOs, or think tanks.

### Curriculum Structure
In your first (and only) year, you'll dive into core research training through lectures, seminars, group work, and presentations, building skills in qualitative, quantitative, and digital methodologies while formulating your own dissertation topic with personalized supervision. Key modules like advanced independent thinking and managing complex information will sharpen your ability to tackle real-world political challenges, culminating in a substantial dissertation on a topic of your choice, such as political behavior or security studies. You'll also gain hands-on experience reflecting on your strengths, leading group projects, and interpreting data—skills drawn from Exeter's cutting-edge research environment.

Focus areas
Advanced social research methods, political theory, international relations, public policy, comparative politics, and data analysis across humanities and social sciences.

Learning outcomes
Develop expertise in research design, data collection/analysis (qualitative/quantitative/digital), constructing defensible arguments, independent and group project management, and personal development planning for research careers.

Professional alignment (accreditation)
No specific external accreditation noted, but the program aligns with Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) standards through methodological rigor, enhancing employability in academia, government, non-profits, and private sectors.

Reputation (employability rankings)
Exeter's Politics department is one of the UK's top-ranked for research excellence (REF), with strong employability support via the Career Zone; graduates secure roles leveraging versatile research skills, and the department boasts major funding from ESRC and others.

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/politics/social-science-research/

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Exeter, our MRes in Politics immerses you in hands-on research training right from the start, building practical skills through group work, class discussions, student presentations, and designing your own research projects under expert supervision. You'll dive into cutting-edge methodologies—qualitative, quantitative, and digital—while accessing world-class facilities at the Streatham Campus that bring political research to life, from seminar rooms for collaborative debates to specialized resources for real-world analysis. This isn't just theory; it's where you develop the tools to tackle complex political issues like international relations, security, and public policy with confidence.

Here are some standout ways you'll gain experiential learning tailored to the MRes in Politics, drawing directly from our department's setup:
- Group work and presentations: Collaborate with peers on research projects, honing leadership, teamwork, and presentation skills in seminar-style settings, just like in our Politics postgraduate programs.
- Computerised language lab and digital tools: Use state-of-the-art tech for analyzing political data, including satellite TV for live Middle East channels (relevant to politics research) and tools tied to the Q-Step Centre for Computational Social Science (C2S2).
- Arab World Documentation Unit: Dive into hands-on research with unique collections of press cuttings, government papers, reports, periodicals, and materials in English, Arabic, and Hebrew—perfect for politics-focused dissertations.
- Seminar series and postgraduate conference: Present your work, network with top scholars, and join workshops across research centres like the Centre for Middle East Politics (C-MEP), Strategy and Security Institute (SSI), and Centre for Advanced International Studies.
- Dedicated research spaces: Work in lecture theatres, seminar rooms, a student lounge, and the Research Commons, all equipped for independent and group political analysis—no generic labs, but purpose-built for our Politics Department's world-leading environment.

Imagine turning your passion for politics into a research edge that employers and PhD programs can't ignore—this is your chance to apply now for September 2026 entry. Check out the full facilities details here: [University of Exeter Facilities](https://www.exeter.ac.uk/about/sitemap/). Let's chat about your application—I'm here to help every step!

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MRes in Politics at Exeter equips you with rigorous research training and hands-on experience using cutting-edge methodologies that prepare you for a successful career in research and beyond. This programme isn't just about theory—you'll develop practical expertise in qualitative, quantitative, and digital research methods while working on real projects that matter.

Throughout your studies, you'll engage in serious, independent research through dedicated dissertation work, where you'll formulate your own research questions and receive one-on-one supervision from faculty who are actively publishing in world-leading outlets. The programme emphasizes active learning through academic lectures expanded by seminar discussions, presentations, and group work, meaning you'll regularly collaborate with peers and defend your ideas in front of others. You'll also benefit from the department's strong research culture, which includes regular seminars, workshops, and an annual postgraduate conference that brings together researchers across humanities and social sciences—giving you genuine networking opportunities with scholars in your field.

The University of Exeter provides exceptional facilities and resources specifically designed to support your research:

- Computerised language lab for advanced linguistic research and data analysis
- Dedicated seminar rooms and lecture theatres equipped for collaborative learning and research presentations
- Satellite TV access to view Middle Eastern channels and global media sources for current affairs research
- Arab World Documentation Unit in the Research Commons, housing academic textbooks, government papers, press cuttings, periodicals, and business yearbooks in English, Arabic, and Hebrew
- Centre for Middle East Politics (C-MEP) and other specialized research centres including the Elections Centre, Centre for European Studies, Centre of Advanced International Studies, and Strategy and Security Institute, where you can align your research interests with established research themes
- Q-Step Centre for Computational Social Science (C2S2) providing training in data analysis and computational methods
- Postgraduate research community with over 80 Masters students and more than 60 PhD students, creating a supportive and intellectually challenging environment
- Career Zone support to help you develop employability skills and prepare for the job market after graduation

You can explore the full range of university facilities and resources here to get a complete picture of what awaits you as a postgraduate researcher at Exeter.