Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Government. This one-year full-time (or 24 months part-time) Master of Science (MSc) program in Political Psychology offers a thorough introduction to this growing subfield of politics, covering topics such as emotions, identities, polarization, authoritarianism, radicalization, and even neuropolitics. Crucially, the MSc provides state-of-the-art training in quantitative research methods in political science, allowing students to develop highly valued skills for employers and for further PhD study. The curriculum explores how individual opinions, decisions, and behaviors shape national and global politics. Core modules typically include "Political Psychology" and a dedicated module on "Quantitative Methods essential to test hypotheses in political science" (e.g., covering statistical computing environment R, linear regression, causal inference). Students will also be able to choose from a range of optional modules to tailor their studies. The program culminates in a dissertation, a significant independent research project.

Career options for graduates are varied and can lead to roles in market research, media, central and local government, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. The program develops key employability skills including analytical reasoning, research design, and essay-writing, with a strong emphasis on quantitative analysis, preparing graduates for positions where understanding human behavior in political contexts and data-driven insights are crucial. Graduates have gone on to work for political parties, campaign groups, NGOs, the civil service, and have established successful careers in journalism, business, and academia. It also provides an excellent foundation for further academic study at the PhD level.

The University of Essex is a forward-thinking university with a diverse international community, offering a rich and inclusive learning environment. Essex is a centre of world-leading research excellence for the social sciences, ensuring students are taught by academics at the forefront of their fields who are actively engaged in impactful research. The university offers a location close to beautiful countryside that's only an hour away from London by train, providing a balance of campus life and access to a major global city. The Department of Government at Essex is one of the most prestigious in Europe, consistently highly rated for its teaching, research, and publications, particularly in quantitative methods and political psychology.