Government, Policy and Politics

MSc Government, Policy and Politics examines the day-to-day practice and reality of government by analysing post-war politics and public policy in the UK and around the world. You will develop your ability to analyse political debates and issues in a critical manner and you will be taught by academics with expertise in researching, writing about and participating in politics.

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Key Facts

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Degree

MSc (Hons) Government, Policy and Politics

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Start Dates

October

Degree Overview

The course combines theoretical approaches with empirical knowledge and real-world case studies, and you will explore topics in political theory, political science and sociology. You will be given the opportunity to debate and engage with the everyday practicalities of politics through class discussions and meetings with experienced practitioners.

The core modules explore the history, politics and institutions of global governance as a response to the challenges of globalisation, and introduce you to the key issues and policy debates in international political economy. You then choose two option modules from a wide variety of topics including international security, American foreign policy, globalisation, political theory and sociology, nationalism and religion, and war and conflict. You will also learn research techniques that will enable you to specialise and write a dissertation on the subject that interests you most.

You can take advantage of the rich research collections nearby, including Senate House Library, which is right next door to Birkbeck, the British Library, which is five minutes’ walk away, and the British Library of Political and Economic Science at the London School of Economics, which is also walkable from Birkbeck. Birkbeck Library has a large politics collection, including the major specialist journals, and provides you with access to an extensive range of online materials.

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Important
  • You may incur additional costs in the course of your education at the university over and above tuition fees in an academic year such as laptops, stationary and additional resources.