If students hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet the entry requirements for a master’s, a Pre-Master’s can help them gain a place on a postgraduate degree. For progression to the 1st year of a postgraduate degree at the University of Essex. Course length is determined mainly by students English language level (UKVI IELTS score).

Students on all course lengths take a set of common or similar modules to gain a solid base of skills for university. If their course is longer than 2 terms, students will take additional modules designed to improve one or more of their English language level, academic skills, and basic knowledge of particular subjects.

Master of Arts - Ideology and Discourse Analysis Questions concerning the impact of ideological and symbolic processes on the formation of political discourses, identities and communities are of crucial importance. All of these are covered within the University of Essex MA Ideology and Discourse Analysis. Students explore topics including: • poststructuralist • post-Marxist and psychoanalytic theories of ideology and discourse; • research methods in critical political theory and analysis; • key concepts for political analysis; • mass media and democracy; • philosophy of social science.

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 MA Ideology and Discourse Analysis will help students secure a solid grasp of key debates in social and political thought, give them a strong foundation in theoretical principles whose relevance and application goes well beyond politics, and 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 organisations: the Civil Service, local government, the World Bank, the United Nations, NATO, YouGov and YouGov America.