Program Overview
Share Facebook Linkedin Email Postgraduate Taught 2026 autism-practice-msc robotics-artificial-intelligence-msc artificial-intelligence-pgcert history-pgdip engineering-energy-economics-the-environment-pgcert applied-cyber-security-pgcert data-analytics-pgcert technology-management-msc sound-music-pgcert sound-music-pgdip masters-law-mlaw international-commercial-business-law-llm cancer-medicine-mscres public-health-mph education-computingit-digital-skills-creative-enterprise-pgce public-health-systems-policy-theory-into-practice-pgcert international-political-economy-msc sound-music-ma public-health-sciences-pgcert public-health-data-systems-research-pgcert substance-use-substance-use-disorders-msc substance-use-substance-use-disorders-pgcert substance-use-substance-use-disorders-pgdip english-creative-writing-ma data-analytics-msc english-creative-writing-pgdip advanced-healthcare-practice-msc law-technology-llm intellectual-property-law-llm palliative-care-pgdip irish-studies-ma digital-marketing-analytics-msc conflict-transformation-social-justice-ma global-security-borders-ma molecular-biology-biotechnology-msc ecological-management-conservation-biology-msc one-health-parasitology-infection-biology-msc supply-chain-analytics-msc accounting-finance-analytics-msc actuarial-science-msc advanced-clinical-pharmacy-practice-msc advanced-clinical-pharmacy-practice-pgcert advanced-clinical-pharmacy-practice-pgdip advanced-food-safety-msc advanced-healthcare-clinical-practice-msc advanced-pharmacy-practice-msc advanced-social-work-children-young-people-families-msc advanced-social-work-children-young-people-families-pgcert advanced-social-work-children-young-people-families-pgdip ai-business-msc animal-behaviour-welfare-msc anthropology-ma anthropology-pgdip applied-behaviour-analysis-msc applied-cyber-security-msc applied-cyber-security-professional-internship-msc applied-developmental-psychology-msc applied-digital-construction-management-msc architecture-march artificial-intelligence-msc arts-humanities-mres arts-management-ma bioinformatics-computational-genomics-msc biomedical-clinical-research-msc biopharmaceutical-engineering-msc biopharmaceutical-engineering-pgcert biopharmaceutical-engineering-year-industry-msc building-information-modelling-project-management-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc building-information-modelling-project-management-industrial-internship-msc building-information-modelling-project-management-msc business-agrifood-rural-enterprise-msc business-agrifood-rural-enterprise-pgcert business-agrifood-rural-enterprise-pgdip business-analytics-msc caring-children-young-people-complex-needs-msc childrens-rights-msc childrens-rights-participation-pgcert city-planning-design-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc city-planning-design-msc city-planning-design-pgcert climate-change-msc climate-change-pgdip clinical-anatomy-msc clinical-education-pgcert clinical-health-psychology-msc clinical-health-psychology-pgdip cognitive-behavioural-practice-pgcert cognitive-behavioural-psychotherapy-pgdip construction-project-management-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc construction-project-management-industrial-internship-msc construction-project-management-msc creative-games-technologies-ma criminology-criminal-justice-llm digital-business-msc education-english-pgce education-mathematics-pgce education-modern-languages-pgce education-religious-education-pgce education-science-pgce education-social-science-pgce education-studies-med educational-leadership-msc engineering-management-pgcert english-literary-studies-ma english-literary-studies-pgdip english-poetry-ma english-poetry-pgdip environmental-engineering-msc environmental-engineering-pgdip film-ma finance-msc finance-trading-msc financial-analytics-msc financial-risk-management-msc geopolitics-ma geopolitics-pgdip history-ma human-resource-management-msc hydrogen-energy-systems-pgcert inclusion-special-educational-needs-med independent-prescribing-pgcert industrial-pharmaceutics-msc international-business-msc international-human-rights-law-llm international-public-policy-msc international-public-policy-pgdip international-relations-ma international-relations-pgdip interpreting-ma law-llm leadership-sustainable-development-msc leadership-sustainable-rural-development-msc linguistics-ma linguistics-pgcert linguistics-pgdip management-msc marketing-msc master-business-administration-internship-mba master-business-administration-mba mechanical-engineering-management-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc mechanical-engineering-management-industrial-internship-msc mechanical-engineering-management-msc mechanical-engineering-management-pgcert mechanical-engineering-management-pgdip mechanical-engineering-pgcert media-broadcast-production-ma media-broadcast-production-pgdip mental-health-mental-capacity-law-msc mental-health-mental-capacity-law-pgdip mental-health-pgdip midwifery-msc net-zero-engineering-distance-learning-msc net-zero-engineering-msc net-zero-engineering-year-industry-msc pharmaceutical-analysis-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc pharmaceutical-analysis-industrial-placement-msc pharmaceutical-analysis-international-industrial-placement-msc pharmaceutical-analysis-msc philosophy-ma philosophy-pgdip planning-development-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc planning-development-msc planning-development-pgcert politics-ma politics-pgdip prescribing-pharmacists-pgcert professional-nursing-adult-nursing-msc professional-nursing-children-young-people-msc professional-nursing-learning-disabilities-nursing-msc professional-nursing-mental-health-nursing-msc professional-practice-architecture-pgcert psychological-science-msc public-history-ma social-science-research-mres social-science-research-pgdip sociology-global-inequality-msc software-development-msc software-development-part-time-msc specialist-cognitive-behavioural-therapy-msc sustainable-energy-systems-management-msc sustainable-energy-systems-management-pgdip systemic-practice-family-therapy-msc systemic-practice-family-therapy-pgcert systemic-practice-family-therapy-pgdip systemic-psychotherapy-msc teaching-english-speakers-other-languages-applied-linguistics-msc translation-ma violence-terrorism-security-ma violence-terrorism-security-pgdip youth-justice-msc youth-justice-pgdip zero-carbon-engineering-pgcert Share Facebook Linkedin Email Undergraduate 2025 MA | Postgraduate Taught Politics Apply now Register Interest Entry year Academic Year 2026/27 Entry requirements 2.2 Attendance 3 years (Part-time) 1 year (Full-time) Places available 30 (Part Time) 30 (Full Time) Overview Course content Modules Entry requirements Careers Fees and funding Apply The MA Politics is a broad-based programme, offering students a good grounding in the discipline of political science. This MA gives students the opportunity to engage with core theories, concepts, issues and debates in politics. Students may tailor their programme to their own interests by their choice of optional modules and dissertation, from Irish politics and European politics to political theory and comparative politics, which build on the strengths of the school's research. The masters offers a unique perspective on multi-level politics in Europe, at the regional, national, and European levels and on the policy issues of the time, including energy transitions and climate change, ethnic conflict, gender, and democratic legitimacy. The aim of the MA in Politics is to deepen students' understanding of important contemporary issues in political studies through the enhancement of students' analytical skills, research and writing talent, and capacity for utilising theoretical approaches.
Key Program Features
Politics highlights
Career Development
The MA Politics combines a grounding in key contemporary issues and in-depth methods training, with a lot of flexibility for students. Students unsure of which precise direction they wish their career to take will benefit from the fact that the MA in Politics allows for a generalist course of study alongside excellent careers support both within the School and the University at large. The MA in Politics provides students with the opportunity to engage in a wide range of active research networks and groups on diverse themes, including gender studies, Irish politics, political theory/philosophy, political economy, and environmental policies. Students can also choose to specialise through their choice of options and dissertation topic in Irish politics, political theory, European politics, or comparative politics.
Internationally Renowned Experts
Students benefit from intensive teaching by a wide and varied range of political scientists and theorists with strong publishing profiles and international reputations in their areas of expertise. Many academics on the programme are engaged in QPOL (Queen’s Policy Engagement) – this is the ‘front door’ for public policy engagement at Queen’s University, supporting academics and policymakers in sharing evidence-based research and ideas on the major social, cultural and economic challenges facing society regionally, nationally and beyond.
Student Experience
Students unsure of which precise direction they wish their career to take will benefit from the fact that the MA in Politics allows for a generalist course of study with the ability to specialise through their choice of optional modules, alongside excellent careers support both within the School and the University at large. There are many practical elements embedded in the core modules of the programme. Examples include the development of specific research skills (in 'Approaches to Research Design') and presentation skills (in 'Democratic Challenges and Innovations'). There is also a trip to Brussels (part-funded by the School) in which students visit the European Parliament, European Commission, Human Rights NGOs, NATO, etc. We use a range of assessment techniques, such as writing essays, research papers and policy briefs, where students are presented with a problem and are tasked to come up with practical solutions.
Queen’s ranked 18 in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023).
16% of the Queen’s student population are international students (Queen’s Planning Office, 2023).
Career Opportunities
Career Development
The MA Politics combines a grounding in key contemporary issues and in-depth methods training, with a lot of flexibility for students. Students unsure of which precise direction they wish their career to take will benefit from the fact that the MA in Politics allows for a generalist course of study alongside excellent careers support both within the School and the University at large. The MA in Politics provides students with the opportunity to engage in a wide range of active research networks and groups on diverse themes, including gender studies, Irish politics, political theory/philosophy, political economy, and environmental policies. Students can also choose to specialise through their choice of options and dissertation topic in Irish politics, political theory, European politics, or comparative politics.
Internationally Renowned Experts
Students benefit from intensive teaching by a wide and varied range of political scientists and theorists with strong publishing profiles and international reputations in their areas of expertise. Many academics on the programme are engaged in QPOL (Queen’s Policy Engagement) – this is the ‘front door’ for public policy engagement at Queen’s University, supporting academics and policymakers in sharing evidence-based research and ideas on the major social, cultural and economic challenges facing society regionally, nationally and beyond.
Student Experience
Students unsure of which precise direction they wish their career to take will benefit from the fact that the MA in Politics allows for a generalist course of study with the ability to specialise through their choice of optional modules, alongside excellent careers support both within the School and the University at large. There are many practical elements embedded in the core modules of the programme. Examples include the development of specific research skills (in 'Approaches to Research Design') and presentation skills (in 'Democratic Challenges and Innovations'). There is also a trip to Brussels (part-funded by the School) in which students visit the European Parliament, European Commission, Human Rights NGOs, NATO, etc. We use a range of assessment techniques, such as writing essays, research papers and policy briefs, where students are presented with a problem and are tasked to come up with practical solutions.
Queen’s ranked 18 in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023).
16% of the Queen’s student population are international students (Queen’s Planning Office, 2023).
Queen’s is ranked in the top 75 universities in Europe for Teaching Excellence (Times Higher Education, 2019).
Program Curriculum
Course Structure
Students take six taught modules, including two compulsory modules in the first semester, which introduce them to the core of the discipline and teach the skills necessary to conduct research. They must also complete the Dissertation module. Each taught module is worth 20 credits. The Dissertation is worth 60 credits.
People teaching you Dr Jamie Pow Programme Convenor HAPP Dr Pow’s research focuses on the way citizens interact with democratic decision-making, including through elections, mini-publics and referendums. He has investigated the potential for citizens’ assemblies to help address democratic deficits in deeply divided contexts. His current research explores the attitudes of participants and non-participants to democratic innovations, including both deliberative and participatory processes. Other recent projects have explored public opinion towards Brexit. Dr Pow served on the advisory group of the Citizens’ Assembly for Northern Ireland. Email: j.pow@qub.ac.uk
Teaching Times
Learning and Teaching
Most modules are taught through seminars, which combine short lectures, class discussions, group work and other in-class activities. Class size is around 15-20 students. Our Virtual Learning Environment also provides opportunities for online activities such as discussion groups, reading groups, and quizzes (uses vary between modules).
Cognitive Skills
The MA in Politics, • Provides learners with the opportunity to develop generic analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills. • Provides learners with the ability to solve problems, process and prioritise a wide variety of information, and express arguments and positions in oral and written form. • The learner to develop their basic knowledge of the general methodological and theoretical approaches of Politics as well as enhance their basic history of the discipline and knowledge of its specific concepts, issues and vocabulary. At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self-reflexive and practice sound judgement and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability to think critically and pursue independent research.
Admission Requirements
How to Apply
Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply .
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 14,100/year (international)
Tuition Fees
| Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | £7,700 |
| Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | £7,700 |
| England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | £10,400 |
| EU Other 3 | £23,000 |
| International | £23,000 |
1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
More information on postgraduate tuition fees .
Additional course costs
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial Aid & Funding Opportunities
A range of funding options may be available to students enrolling at Queen's University Belfast. Explore all options early — many scholarships have deadlines months before programme start.
- University Scholarships: Queen's University Belfast may offer merit-based, need-based, or programme-specific scholarships for postgraduate students. Contact the international or financial aid office for current awards.
- Government Scholarships (): National governments often fund outbound and inbound student mobility. Check your home country's government scholarship schemes (e.g., national student loan bodies, ministry of education awards).
- International Scholarships: Major funders include: Commonwealth Scholarships, Fulbright (USA programmes), Chevening (UK), Erasmus+ (Europe), DAAD (Germany), Campus France, Australia Awards, and many more.
- Employer Sponsorship: Professionals returning to study may negotiate tuition sponsorship with their employer, particularly for MBA or executive programmes.
- Graduate Assistantships / Fellowships: Some universities offer funded research or teaching assistant positions that include a stipend and partial or full tuition waiver.
- External Foundations: Rotary Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation, Ford Foundation, and many discipline-specific bodies fund postgraduate study globally.
- Payment Plans: Flexible instalment plans may allow you to spread tuition payments across the academic year.
About Queen's University Belfast
Queen's University Belfast
Botswana, Botswana
Visit the university profile page to learn more about this institution.
University Profile- Start Date 2017-09-26
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)