Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Government. This five-year integrated Master of Politics with Honours (MPol Hons) program offers a deep and comprehensive understanding of political science and international relations, seamlessly progressing from undergraduate to Master's level study. It includes a dedicated placement year to provide practical, real-world experience. You will delve into how politics works within countries and on the global stage, exploring critical issues such as conflict resolution, social media and democracy, international environmental policy, and human rights. The curriculum emphasizes advanced research and critical thinking skills, preparing you to analyze complex political problems and contribute to solutions. Core modules cover political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and research methods. In your fourth year, you will undertake a professional placement, applying your academic knowledge in a professional environment and gaining invaluable experience. The final year involves Master's-level study, including a significant research project or dissertation.

Career options for graduates of this integrated Master's program are excellent and highly varied, with the added advantage of a year of professional experience. The advanced analytical, research, and communication skills, combined with practical exposure from the placement, make graduates exceptionally competitive. Alumni from Essex's Department of Government pursue leadership roles in national and international government (including the civil service), diplomacy, international organizations (e.g., UN, EU), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), policy analysis, research (think tanks), journalism, and management. The program is designed to develop highly valued transferable skills for a successful career in diverse global sectors.

The University of Essex fosters a forward-thinking environment with a diverse international community. Its Department of Government is a centre of world-leading research excellence for the social sciences, consistently ranked among the most prestigious in Europe for its outstanding record of teaching, research, and publication (rated top in the UK for research in Political Science & International Studies in every government assessment exercise since 1986, REF 2021). The university offers a location close to beautiful countryside that's only an hour away from London by train, combining a peaceful setting with easy access to a major global city. The extended duration of the MPol, especially with the integrated placement year, provides unparalleled depth of study and practical experience.