Political Research MSc

Why this course?

The MSc in Political Research provides you with focused training in research methods. It helps you to develop your professional skills in empirical political science.

The course explores different methodological approaches and their application to real-life political problems. It equips you with key transferable skills in:

• research design
• a range of research methods and their application
• the management of different types of data

You’ll study

Along with giving you research skills, this course will enhance your ability to choose appropriate research methods and confront the issues of research design.

It's organised into core and optional classes. You’ll also complete a dissertation.

Facilities

Established in 2010, the School of Government and Public Policy integrates the Department of Government with three research centres:

• European Policies Research Centre
• Centre for the Study of Public Policy
• Centre for Elections and Representation Studies

Learning & teaching

The MSc in Political Research is designed not only to give you research skills, but also to enhance your ability to choose appropriate research methods and confront the issues of research design. The course is organised into core and optional classes. You'll also complete a dissertation.

You receive training with a strong empirical focus, and supervision in small-group seminars and in individual sessions You’ll receive considerable time and attention from our staff.

Classes average 20 contact hours, with additional computer laboratory sessions for some methods classes. 

Part-time students attend classes across two academic years. They then work on their dissertation over the course of 10 months.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways like essays, options papers and group projects.

These account for two thirds of the total assessment while your dissertation accounts for one third of the total assessment.

Visit the Political Research MSc page on the University of Strathclyde website for more details!