MA in Politics

The MA in Politics is a broad-based programme, offering students a good grounding in the discipline of political science. This MA gives students the opportunity to engage with core theories, concepts, issues and debates in politics. Students may tailor their programme to their own interests by their choice of optional modules and dissertations, from Irish politics and European politics to political theory and comparative politics, which build on the strengths of the school's research. The masters offer a unique perspective on multi-level politics in Europe, at the regional, national, and European levels and on the policy issues of the time, including energy transitions and climate change, ethnic conflict, gender, and democratic legitimacy.

The aim of the MA in Politics is to deepen students' understanding of important contemporary issues in political studies through the enhancement of students' analytical skills, research and writing talent, and capacity for utilising theoretical approaches. These are all important transferrable skills, highly valued in the job market. The programme is of particular interest to those wishing to know more about Irish politics (North and South), European politics, territorial politics, political conflict, and political theory.

Belfast is a globally significant location, and Politics is about conflict, debate and the contest of ideas, making Belfast, where such things are part of everyday reality, an ideal place to study the subject. Northern Ireland is viewed as a model of conflict resolution and peace-building across the world.

Students can directly benefit from the School and University’s wider expertise in political theory, comparative politics, Irish and Northern Irish politics, gender and environmental politics, security studies, border studies, terrorism and political violence.

Politics Highlights

Career Development

The MA in Politics combines a grounding in key contemporary issues and in-depth methods training, with a lot of flexibility for students. Students unsure of which precise direction they wish their career to take will benefit from the fact that the MA in Politics allows for a generalist course of study alongside excellent career support both within the School and the University at large. The MA in Politics provides students with the opportunity to engage in a wide range of active research networks and groups on diverse themes, including gender studies, Irish politics, political theory/philosophy, political economy, and environmental policies. Students can also choose to specialise through their choice of options and dissertation topics in Irish politics, political theory, European politics, or comparative politics.

Internationally Renowned Experts

Students benefit from intensive teaching by a wide and varied range of political scientists and theorists with strong publishing profiles and international reputations in their areas of expertise.

Many academics on the programme are engaged in QPOL (Queen’s Policy Engagement) – this is the ‘front door’ for public policy engagement at Queen’s University, supporting academics and policymakers in sharing evidence-based research and ideas on the major social, cultural and economic challenges facing society regionally, nationally and beyond.

This includes a Brexit Clinic, which involves Queen’s experts providing insight and analysis into the various facets of Brexit. Many of our experts in this area act as advisors to the UK and NI governments, particularly in relation to the Irish border and the backstop, as the only land border between the UK and EU.

Student Experience

Students unsure of which precise direction they wish their career to take will benefit from the fact that the MA in Politics allows for a generalist course of study with the ability to specialise through their choice of optional modules, alongside excellent career support both within the School and the University at large.

There are many practical elements embedded in the programme. Examples include practical modules such as Engaging Citizens in Democratic Institutions. This module includes a thematic visit to the NI Assembly (as does the Politics core module).

There is also a trip to Brussels (part-funded by the School) in which students visit the European Parliament, European Commission, Human Rights NGOs, NATO, etc.

We also use a range of assessment techniques, such as writing essays, blogs and policy briefs, where students are presented with a problem and are tasked to come up with practical solutions.