School of Social Sciences

Politics MA

Year of entry: 2026

Course length: 12 months Full-Time | 24 months Part-Time

About the course

Shape your own path in politics with one of the UK’s largest and most dynamic departments. The MA Politics is our most flexible master’s course, ideal if you want to explore a wide range of themes, from globalisation to the politics of finance, before choosing a specialism.

You will develop advanced research skills and study with leading academics, including co-investigators of the British Election Study, on issues spanning global justice, political theory, international relations and public policy. Our research-led teaching keeps you connected to the latest debates and developments.

Study in Manchester, a city built on radical ideas, and join a prestigious politics department that reflects this tradition by taking a critical stance, challenging orthodoxies and opening new ways of understanding political issues from the local to the global.

See the full course profile on our website>

Study a master’s in Politics at a university ranked top 10 in the UK and top 40 worldwide for the subject

(Times Higher Education World Rankings by Subject 2025).

Explore a range of topics and develop your expertise in your areas of interest on our most flexible and generalist politics course

Graduate from one of the UK’s most targeted universities by top employers equipped with an in demand skillset for a career in government, policy, research, journalism, and even the private sector (High Fliers, The Graduate Market Report 2024)

Join one of the UK’s largest and most prestigious politics departments, situated in a uniquely political city

Compulsory Units

Comparative Political Analysis;
Research Design and Skills;
Dissertation.

Optional Units

The Politics of Money and Finance;
Political Parties in Contemporary Britain;
Governing in an Unjust World: Justice and International Relations;
The Ethics Of Killing;
Tools and techniques of applied quantitative analysis;
Understanding Governance;
Critical Globalisation Studies;
The European Union: Politics and Policy Making.

These are examples of units offered in 2024/25 and are subject to change.

See the full list of units and find out more on the full course profile >

Where will your course take you?

In today’s rapidly shifting political landscape, employers are looking for graduates who can analyse, challenge and lead.

Studying Politics with us gives you highly sought-after skills, including research, critical thinking, argument construction, data interpretation and communication, preparing you for careers that make an impact.

Our graduates go on to shape policy and strategy in national governments, NGOs, international institutions, think tanks, political risk consultancies and the civil service. Job titles include Policy Advisor, Public Affairs Consultant, Political Analyst, Campaign Manager and Civil Servant.

Many also pursue PhD studies in Politics here at Manchester or at other world-leading universities, preparing for research and teaching careers that influence the next generation.

Camilla Walker

Politics MA Graduate

“The Politics department is full of excellent and inspiring academics; the variety of modules on offer is broad and the city itself offers lots of different experiences for people who are in search of city life."