MA Politics

Course overview

• Benefit from a well-rounded course suitable for generalists
• Obtain a high quality degree in political science from a leading institution
• Specialise your interest by choosing from a range of course units

Open days

The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses.

On this day, you will find out more about the School of Social Sciences and our resources, and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.

For more information, see open days and visits .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2019, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MA (full-time)
• UK/EU students (per annum): £9,500 
• International students (per annum): £18,500
• MA (part-time)
• UK/EU students (per annum): £4,750 
• International students (per annum): £9,250

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

Scholarships/sponsorships

We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students.

In addition, the Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.

For more information, see fees and funding or search the University's postgraduate funding database .

Entry requirements

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• IELTS - overall score of 7, including 7 in writing with no further component score below 6.5
• TOEFL IBT 103 with 28 in writing and no further score below 25 in each section.
• TOEFL code for Manchester is 0757

Scores are valid for 2 years.

For students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, your test score is valid for 2 years preceding the course start date.

Please note that CAS statements are issued only when all conditions of the offer have been satisfied, PDF copy of passport received and the offer accepted.

Applicants from certain countries MAY be exempt from having to provide an IELTS or TOEFL score. For further advice please email [email protected]

Pre-Sessional English Courses:

If you are eligible to do a pre-sessional English course (either 6 weeks or 10 weeks, depending on your English score), you will be required to successfully complete the course at the required level before you are permitted to register on your academic course.

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Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Application and selection

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Apply here

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Due to high demand for this course, we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year, as follows:

• 1 November (decision by8 December; accept offer by 15 January)
• 7January (decision by 15 February, accept offer by 15 March)
• 1 March (decision by8 April, accept offer by 8 May)
• 1 May (decision by 1 June, accept offer by 1 July)

If we make you an offer, you will have approximately 4 weeks in which to accept (conditional and un-conditional offers). Any offers not accepted by the deadline will be withdrawn so that an offer can be made to another candidate. All conditional offer holders will have until 1 August to satisfy the conditions of their offer.

We can accept your application before you complete your undergraduate studies; please submit your latest transcripts with your online application. 

Please note: 

• all places are subject to availability and if you apply for one of the later dates, some courses may already be closed, we recommend that you apply early in the cycle to secure your place with us;
• meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer;
• international applicants who require a visa to study in the UK can obtain up-to-date informationon the latest student visa advice and guidelines;
• if you are a current undergraduate student at the University of Manchester, you may be eligible to apply via the 'Fast-Track' scheme, email [email protected] for further information;
• For a copy of the Postgraduate prospectus, email [email protected] .

Teaching and learning

Part-time students complete the full-time course over two years. There are no evening or weekend course units available on the part-time route.  

You must first check the schedule of the compulsory units and then select your optional units to suit your requirements.  

Updated timetable information will be available from mid-August and you will have the opportunity to discuss your unit choices during induction week with your course director.

Coursework and assessment

Assessment is by class presentations, essays and 12-15,000 word dissertation

Career opportunities

Successful graduates go into careers in Academia, the Civil Service, Journalism, the NGO sector, and wide range of related positions in both the public and private sectors among others.

As a School of Social Sciences postgraduate at Manchester, you will have access to a wide range of careers support tailored to your career or further study.

Visit the MA Politics page on the University of Manchester website for more details!