The Department of Politics offers the following Master Programs:
Program Name
Social Research (Postgraduate Diploma)
Our Postgraduate Diploma in Social Research is an interdisciplinary social science training program designed to prepare you for further research in the workplace. The program covers ontology, epistemology, quantitative and qualitative techniques, and advanced methods masterclasses. It provides a particularly strong environment for theoretically informed, interdisciplinary and socially engaged research.
Social Research (MSC)
Our MSc Social Research is an interdisciplinary social science training program designed to prepare you for further research in the workplace or for MPhil/PhD study. The program covers ontology, epistemology, quantitative and qualitative techniques, and advanced methods masterclasses. You also carry out an independent dissertation, putting into practice the methods and theoretical concepts you have been taught.
Politics (MRES)
Our MRes Politics will develop your understanding of research methodologies and techniques in politics to an advanced level, enabling you to undertake your own independent research. It provides an intellectually stimulating guide to politics research and will develop your awareness of the essential requirements of in-depth research, including theory, design and methods. The program also provides opportunities to explore substantive issues in the fields of political theory, political science, international relations and sociology.
Global Politics (MRES)
Our MRes Global Politics explores the history of global political and economic forces and the ideas that have shaped them. We will consider and evaluate the genesis and transmission of neoliberal economic orthodoxy, the development of global politics and global structures of governance, including the creation and operation of institutions such as the World Trade Organization, foreign direct investment, migration, and the idea and reality of globalization.
War and Humanitarianism (MSC)
War and humanitarianism are deeply embedded in the modern experience. Be it in the nineteenth-century calls for civilizing war or the contemporary attempts at saving distant strangers, the conduct of organized violence and the defense of human rights cannot be separated out.
Global Governance and Emerging Powers (MSC)
Our MSc Global Governance and Emerging Powers combines international public policy and cutting-edge issues in the study of world politics; it brings together a unique body of UK and international students with a passion for world politics and, in many cases, relevant policy experience.
International Security and Global Governance (MSC)
Our MSc International Security and Global Governance explores urgent contemporary debates about violence, conflict, security and governance from a global perspective.
Public Policy and Management (MSC)
Our MSc Public Policy and Management is ideal if you are working, or seeking a career, in public policy research and implementation. You will gain an advanced understanding of the ideas, interests and institutions that contribute to the making of policy across a wide range of areas, including healthcare, society and social care, migration, the environment, education and macroeconomics.
Public Policy and Management (MRES)
Our MRes Public Policy and Management is ideal if you are working, or seeking a career, in public policy research and implementation. You will gain an advanced understanding of the ideas, interests and institutions that contribute to the making of policy across a wide range of areas, including healthcare, society and social care, migration, the environment, education and macroeconomics.
Government, Policy and Politics (MSC)
Our MSc Government, Policy and Politics examines the day-to-day practice and reality of government by analyzing post-war politics and public policy in the UK and around the world. You will develop your ability to analyses 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.
Food, Politics and Society (MSC)
Over the past few decades, questions about the production, supply, preparation, consumption and disposal of food have become central to our understanding of society and politics. With the rise of a global food market and of industrial agriculture – and the accompanying challenges of climate change, soil erosion and food scarcity – it is more urgent than ever to understand the complex interrelationship between food, politics and society.
Global Politics (MSC)
Our MSc Global Politics explores the history of global political and economic forces and the ideas that have shaped them. We will consider and evaluate the genesis and transmission of neoliberal economic orthodoxy, the development of global politics and global structures of governance, including the creation and operation of institutions such as the World Trade Organization, foreign direct investment, migration, and the idea and reality of globalization.
Social and Political Theory (MSC)
Our MSc Social and Political Theory explores pressing contemporary issues using political theory and sociology. Our focus is on the nature and workings of political power and authority and we will consider the relationships between states and societies, and the place of politics and power in everyday life.
Politics of Population, Migration and Ecology (MSC)
This unique program explores where this growth is occurring and considers the environmental, economic, political and global implications for both developing and developed countries. We will consider policy debates and responses to population growth and stabilization, as well as the effects of ageing populations on economies, welfare systems and defense and security. Under the guidance of expert academics, you will examine how ethnic, religious and national identities intersect with questions of resources and population around the world.
European Politics and Policy (MSC)
Our MSc European Politics and Policy offers an intensive exploration of how politics, government and public policy operate within EU’s governing structures and institutions. These are placed within an international context and considered alongside pressing issues associated with international relations, international law and globalization and global politics.
Global Environmental Politics and Policy (MSC)
Our MSc Global Environmental Politics and Policy combines critical social theory and detailed empirical analyses to explore contemporary global environmental politics and policy.
Middle East in Global Politics: Islam, Conflict and Development (MSC)
Our MSc Middle East in Global Politics: Islam, Conflict and Development will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the history and politics of the Middle East and Islam, while honing your ability to make well-informed, critical analyses of the region in the context of global politics.
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict (MSC)
Our MSc Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict considers how ethnic, national and religious identities intersect and how they cause conflict and violence within and between states.
Global Political Economy (MSC)
The new MSc Global Political Economy provides a cross-disciplinary perspective on the interplay of global political and economic forces that shape our world. You will develop an in-depth understanding of actors and structures governing the global economy. You will then be able to explore a wide variety of topics ranging from the politics of international production, trade and finance to the challenges of global economic governance, dynamics of North-South relations, patterns of inter-state economic rivalry and the future of international capitalism.
About Birkbeck University of London
Birkbeck offers a unique combination of evening study and a matchless central London location, right in the geographic and academic center of the city, giving you exceptional opportunities.
At Birkbeck, you can build your own university experience, with as little or as much support as you need. Birkbeck offers a famously friendly, welcoming environment and we will be with you every step of the way, offering academic support and pastoral guidance, whenever you need it.
Birkbeck is different: our classes are held in the evening, so your days are free – to study, work, volunteer or just do your own thing.
We know the conventional university model isn’t right for everyone. Our evening teaching gives people who care about their future something special: the opportunity to study at a world-class, research-intensive university and progress their life goals at the same time.
With a global reputation for high-quality research and teaching, Birkbeck is part of the prestigious University of London, alongside University College London (UCL), King’s College London (KCL), the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS) and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), among others.
At Birkbeck, you can choose as much or as little of the standard university experience as you like. You might work during the day, study in one of Bloomsbury’s world-famous libraries, undertake an internship via Birkbeck Talent, our in-house professional recruitment service – or do something completely different. Many people are drawn to Birkbeck because we support and enable diverse life choices.
The combination of evening study and a city-centre location offer you exceptional opportunities. Our main campus is next to other universities, surrounded by world-famous museums and galleries and in the heart of corporate and governmental London.
With the West End, Soho, Covent Garden and King’s Cross on our doorstep you can take full advantage of London’s world-famous shops, restaurants, bars, theatres and clubs before and after your evening classes. Everything that London has to offer is here for you to enjoy.
In addition, you will have access to the affordable sports facilities, societies, music venues, bars and cafes of Student Central, right next door to our main campus in Bloomsbury, central London.
