Politics, MA by Research

UK

What will I learn?

COURSE OVERVIEW

An MA by Research in Politics at Swansea enables you to undertake a substantial project led by your own passions and interests.

It represents a highly respected qualification which can present a pathway to a career in academia, or widen your scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector.

Your project will take one year full-time or two years part-time. It is suitable if you want to undertake a first research degree as an isolated culmination of taught studies, or if you are considering further research.

You will submit a thesis of up to 40,000 words, demonstrating original research with a substantial contribution to the subject. This is followed by an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination, or viva).

Our dynamic research environment is driven by committed staff who are all active researchers with a diverse range of interests and expertise through our Research Groups:

  • Global Drug Policy Observatory (GDPO)
  • International Studies, Conflict and Security (ISCAS)
  • Political Analysis and Government (PAG)

Specific subjects of political expertise include, but are not limited to:

• Governance and international development, including aid policy and practice
• Human rights and international development
• US Foreign Policy
• European political thought
• Democratic theory
• Devolution
• Comparative elections
• Public sector reform
• Comparative liberal politics
• European integration and European Union politics and policy

As a research student, you are required to attend skills and training courses. You deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars, and at the College of Arts and Humanities Postgraduate conference.

Which department am I in?

College of Arts and Humanities

Study options

Full Time (1 year)

Tuition fees
£17,500.00 (19,06,733) per year
Jan, Apr or Jul 2024: £17,500; Oct 2024 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2025: £18,400. Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

April 2025

Venue

Singleton Park Campus

Singleton Park,

Swansea,

SA2 8PP, WALES, Wales

Full Time (1 year)

Tuition fees
£17,500.00 (19,06,733) per year
Jan, Apr or Jul 2024: £17,500; Oct 2024 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2025: £18,400. Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

January 2025

Venue

Singleton Park Campus

Singleton Park,

Swansea,

SA2 8PP, WALES, Wales

Entry requirements

For international students

MA by Research - You should hold or expect to achieve a minimum of an upper second class honours degree (2:1), or equivalent, in a related subject or hold relevant work experience. If English is not your first language you will need an acceptable pass in an approved English Language qualification to make sure you get the full benefit from studying at Swansea. We consider a wide range of qualifications, including the Swansea University English Test, the British Council IELTS test (with a score of at least 6.5 and 6.5 in each component).

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

Pathways options

Offered by other partners

This university accepts pathways courses from
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About Swansea University

A dual campus university, Swansea University boasts excellent teaching, research and outstanding student support.

  • 86 percent of research quality is world leading (REF 2021)
  • 26th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2023)
  • UK Top 15 for Course Satisfaction (Guardian, 2023)
  • The sixth safest place to study in the UK (CUG , 2023)