Master of Arts - Political Theory

The University of Essex MA Political Theory will help students secure a solid grasp of key debates in social and political thought, giving them a strong foundation in theoretical principles. Students explore topics including: research methods in critical political theory and analysis, classical and contemporary texts of political theory, democratic theory and social justice, philosophy of social science, ethics and public policy.

Essex's Department of Government is one of the most prestigious in Europe, with an outstanding record of teaching, research and publication. They are rated top in the UK for research, and have consistently been the highest-rated politics department in the country since national assessments began. All Essex politics graduates have the distinction of a qualification from one of the world’s leading politics departments. This course will instill a wide range of analytical, critical, and communication skills that will enable students to pursue the career of their choice, whether in the public, private, or third sector, whether with a domestic or international focus. Recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organizations: the Civil Service, local government, the World Bank, the United Nations, NATO, YouGov and YouGov America. Essex's academic reputation is illustrated by the fact that many of their graduates now teach or research at universities, colleges of higher education and schools. For example, recent graduates are now research fellows and academic staff at: Mannheim, Germany; ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Duke University, USA; NATO/SHAPE, Belgium; and University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.