The University of Essex MA Public Opinion and Political Behaviour explores the interaction between the mass public and political elites in advanced industrial democracies. Students are introduced to the latest theoretical debates about the nature, significance and measurement of public opinion, exploring when and how these opinions translate into political participation, from voting behaviour and signing petitions to suicide bombing. Students also look at the main theoretical approaches in the study of politics, combined with a selection of optional modules including: quantitative data analysis in political explanations, survey measurement and question design, political parties in Britain and Europe, measuring public opinion, and democracies in Europe.

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.

Essex's course can lead to a career in the polling industry, market research, British and European Politics or the private sector. Students will develop key employability skills including analytical reasoning, survey design, polling, research design, and report writing. 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.