Master of Arts - Global Affairs and Politics

The MA Global Affairs and Politics programme enables students to investigate world affairs from multiple perspectives and develop the skills and vision required to address complex global problems. The programme welcomes individuals from a wide range of academic backgrounds and professional experiences, including graduates in science, the arts, accounting, history, marketing, or non-graduates with relevant experience. Students develop strong research, data analysis, and communication skills, becoming adept critical thinkers and problem-solvers. These competencies are valuable for progressing to research degrees and for careers in politics, campaigning, think tanks, NGOs, and civil or diplomatic services. The programme provides an exceptional student experience, with extensive contact hours and staff support designed to enhance learning outcomes.

The programme addresses pressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pandemics, rising populism, threats to democracy and free speech, and ageing populations, while also exploring areas of opportunity, including sustainable technologies, clean energy, and social activism. Students examine the drivers of these challenges and develop solutions, drawing on an interdisciplinary approach that combines history, international relations, politics, journalism, and communication studies.

Using a range of theories and approaches from these disciplines, the programme encourages students to analyse global issues from multiple perspectives, recognising that complex problems rarely have a single solution. Topics covered include political activism, contested cultures and norms, governance approaches to global challenges, diversity and equity, power structures and democratic consent, gender, racial, and resource inequalities, decolonisation, climate and environmental stress, physical and cultural conflict, freedom of speech and journalism, and the effects of globalisation on civil liberties.