MA in Social and Political Thought

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Sussex

Program Overview

# MA in Social and Political Thought at University of Sussex

The MA in Social and Political Thought is an intellectually rigorous, interdisciplinary program that bridges philosophy, politics, and sociology to equip you with advanced analytical skills and deep theoretical understanding. Whether you're passionate about understanding how societies evolve, exploring political ideologies, or engaging with critical theory, this program trains you to become an independent researcher capable of tackling complex social and political questions.

## Curriculum Structure

Autumn Semester kicks off your journey with two essential core modules: *Text and Critique in Social and Political Thought* and *Theorizing the Social*. These foundational courses immerse you in classical and contemporary texts, equipping you with the theoretical frameworks and analytical tools needed to understand the major traditions shaping modern thought. You'll engage with everything from Aristotle to Habermas, building the critical literacy that underpins all advanced work in the discipline.

Spring Semester allows you to tailor your studies through optional modules that reflect your specific interests. You might explore *Ideology and the Political*, dive into *War, Terror, Violence and International Law*, or examine *Women and Human Rights*—each option deepening your expertise in areas that matter to you. This flexibility ensures you develop a personalized intellectual foundation while maintaining academic rigor across the program's diverse theoretical landscape.

Throughout your one-year full-time journey (or two years part-time), you'll transition from foundational learning to independent research. The program's research-based curriculum enables you to draw on both empirical and normative analysis, positioning you to cross disciplinary boundaries and develop original insights into the pressing social and political questions of our time.

## Focus Areas

European traditions of social theory, political sociology, and critical theory (Marxist and Frankfurt School); Anglo-American political theory and constructivist philosophy; postcolonialism, feminism, and race critical theory.

## Learning Outcomes

You'll graduate with the ability to think critically across disciplines, conduct independent research with confidence, and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges. The program develops your capacity to engage with complex texts, synthesize diverse perspectives, and communicate nuanced ideas effectively.

## Professional Alignment & Reputation

Sussex ranks 4th in the UK for research impact in Philosophy according to Times Higher Education's REF 2021 assessment. Recent graduates pursue fulfilling careers across academia, law, technology, business, journalism, marketing, and policy-making globally. The Centre for Social and Political Thought, established since 1978, has built an internationally renowned reputation with alumni succeeding in research, teaching, media, and NGO sectors.

Apply by: 1 August 2026 (international) or 1 September 2026 (UK) for September 2026 entry.

[Learn more and apply: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/masters/courses/social-and-political-thought-ma]

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Sussex, our MA in Social and Political Thought stands out for its hands-on approach to building practical skills through real-world projects and interdisciplinary research training. You'll dive into tackling actual challenges set by UK employers via paid project opportunities, where you develop teamwork, project management, and client presentation skills in a supportive environment—all coordinated by our Careers and Entrepreneurship team. This research-focused program, housed in the renowned Centre for Social and Political Thought (established in 1978), equips you with advanced critical thinking by engaging with diverse perspectives from philosophy, politics, sociology, intellectual history, and law.

Here are some key ways you'll gain experiential learning tailored to this program:
- Paid project opportunities with UK employers: Work on live challenges, learning to scope projects, collaborate in teams, and deliver findings to real clients.
- Interdisciplinary research training at the Centre for Social and Political Thought: Access world-class supervision from experts like Prof Darrow Schecter in critical theory, bridging social theory, political theory, and philosophy for independent research projects.
- Team-based module work: Engage in group discussions and analysis across core modules like Ideology and the Political, War, Terror, Violence and International Law, and Women and Human Rights, fostering collaborative skills.
- Support from the Careers and Entrepreneurship team: Get personalized guidance on applying your skills to careers in research, teaching, media, or NGOs.

Imagine applying by the August 1 (international) or September 1 (UK) deadline for September 2026 start—it's your chance to join a top-ranked program (4th in UK for Philosophy research impact, REF 2021). Check out the full list of facilities here: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/research/centres/

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MA in Social and Political Thought at Sussex offers a distinctive learning experience that goes far beyond traditional lectures—you'll develop hands-on research skills and gain real-world professional experience while studying contemporary thought.

Throughout the programme, you'll work as an independent researcher, learning to tackle genuine challenges faced by actual organisations through paid project opportunities with UK employers. This means you're not just theorising about social and political issues; you're applying your analytical skills to solve real problems, working in teams, and presenting findings to actual clients in a supportive academic setting. This kind of experience is invaluable when you graduate, whether you're heading into research, policy work, the media, or NGOs—all sectors where our alumni have built successful careers.

The programme is also deeply embedded within Sussex's world-class research infrastructure. You'll benefit from access to several specialised research centres and institutes that directly support your studies:

- Centre for Social and Political Thought – Your intellectual home since 1978, housing a thriving community of postgraduate researchers
- Centre for Intellectual History – Supporting your exploration of how modern movements and philosophies developed
- Centre for Gender Studies – Enabling you to engage with critical perspectives on women and human rights
- Sussex Centre for Human Rights Research – Directly relevant to core modules like "Women and Human Rights"
- Centre for Colonial and Postcolonial Studies – Enriching your understanding of global political thought
- Sussex Digital Humanities Lab – Providing digital tools for analysing texts and historical intellectual movements
- University library and research facilities – Supporting your independent research across philosophy, politics, sociology, and law

You'll learn from academics across multiple disciplines—philosophy, politics, sociology, intellectual history, and law—giving you genuinely diverse perspectives on the same questions. The core modules ground you in foundational knowledge, while optional modules like "Ideology and the Political," "War, Terror, Violence and International Law," and "Living and Dying, Medieval to Renaissance" let you pursue your specific interests. The combination of research training, practical project work, and access to world-leading research centres means you're developing both the theoretical depth and practical skills employers value.

You can explore the full range of university facilities and resources supporting postgraduate study here: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/masters