Politics

MA

  • Entry year 2025 or 2024
  • Duration Full time 1 year, Part time 2 years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • Study with experts in Politics and International Relations from across the World

  • World Top 50 Arts & Humanities THE World University Rankings 2024

  • Internship and placement opportunities

Why Lancaster?

  • Gain a sophisticated and insightful understanding of politics by studying in a department which combines politics, philosophy and religion – the only one of its kind in the UK
  • Learn from world-class academics in British, Russian and Middle Eastern politics who are committed to excellent teaching
  • Be inspired by our tutors’ expertise in key areas such as global environmental politics, public policy and immigration policy
  • Boost your employment prospects and add practical experience to your CV with the option to do a placement or internship
  • Study a broad and flexible politics course taught by one of the UK’s top departments for research

Politics at Lancaster is a course for the curious. A course for people who watch the news with a critical eye and question everything. By joining us, you’ll discover how global events unfold and how nations react, which will give you a better understanding of the world. Benefit from our smaller class sizes and be inspired and supported by your lecturers and peers.

Home to leaders in innovative thinking

Discover the politics driving today’s most pressing issues, such as the cost-of-living crisis and climate emergency. You’ll choose politics modules that explore both domestic and global issues, giving you the opportunity to tailor the course to your interests.

Surrounded by a community of world-leading academics, you’ll discover the impact of their work as you learn about the latest insights in the field. and discover the impact of their work. Because the expertise within the department is so broad, you’ll also have the chance to explore specialised areas of politics like gender in Islam or ethics in Indian philosophy.

Timely and topical

Our expert tutors regularly review this course to offer topical modules. For example, we have recently started teaching Global Environmental Politics. We also teach a pertinent module on the Politics and Policy of Immigration.

To combine all your knowledge, you’ll complete a major dissertation on a subject of your choice. This project will make a great talking point for interviews with potential employers. By the time you graduate, you’ll not only have sought-after expertise but also possess a CV packed with a whole host of transferrable skills.

Careers

Our politics graduates are in demand. You will develop highly valued research skills, the ability to think analytically and critically and to work independently. These transferrable skills will stand you in great stead for your future career.

Our graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in:

  • The Civil Service
  • Parliament
  • Think tanks
  • Charity and Third Sector
  • Public affairs

Others have taken roles in broadcasting, marketing, public relations, teaching, accounting and financial services. Just about all large organisations require public affairs consultancy and political lobbyists, so that is another option for our graduates.

Some of our students also go on to study for a PhD to pursue an academic career.

Our Careers and Employability Service will be on hand to offer tailored advice and guidance throughout your journey.

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

2:1 degree in a related subject is normally required. We will also consider applications where you have a degree in other subjects, have a 2:2 or equivalent result and/or extensive relevant experience. In these cases, you should clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills have prepared you for postgraduate study.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

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Optional

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Fees and funding

Location Full Time (per year) Part Time (per year)
Home £11,960 £5,980
International £24,830 £12,415

General fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Postgraduate digital open event - 6 November

Join us online and let us tell you about postgraduate study at Lancaster and how to apply.

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Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.