Government, Policy and Politics (Taught)

This MSc Government, Policy and Politics gives you the chance to examine the day-to-day practice and reality of government by analysing contemporary politics and public policy in the UK and around the world.

Why choose this course?

• It helps you develop a wealth of analytical skills and encourages the kind of rigorous, critical thought that can be easily transferred to other settings after your degree.

• It combines theoretical approaches with empirical knowledge and real-world case studies, exploring topics in political theory, political science and sociology.

• it is taught by academics with expertise in researching, writing about and participating in politics.

• It is ideal if you wish to make progress in a career in politics, policy, research, lobbying or journalism.

What you will learn

This course equips you with the ideas and concepts to analyse political debates and engage with contemporary politics and policy.

You will explore:

• the UK’s political and constitutional order

• the nature of social cleavages and the role of party politics

• the organisation of the political executive and the role of the civil service and judiciary

• how and why policy is made

• developments in policy areas including health care, social policy, migration, the environment, education and macroeconomics.

You will be able to tailor the course to your interests and learn qualitative and quantitative research methods to complete a dissertation.

How you will learn

You will learn through lectures, seminars, online resources and activities. This course is available full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening.

This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

Highlights

• You will have the opportunity to attend seminars and conferences run by our research centres, such as the Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life.

• You will be taught by academic staff who are international authorities in their fields, publishing and delivering stimulating teaching in a wide range of political topics including public policy, foreign policy, international security and terrorism, gender and the welfare state, British politics, and the politics of Asia and the Middle East.

• Our location in central London puts you at the heart of the UK’s political life and at the centre of academic London. One of our campus buildings was once a key location for members of the Bloomsbury Group, so you could be studying in rooms that have hosted distinguished visitors, including T.S. Eliot, George Bernard Shaw and Maynard Keynes.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this MSc, you will have gained an array of transferable skills, including:

• advanced knowledge of British political institutions and the relationship between state and society

• detailed knowledge of the different actors, processes and stages involved in formulating public policies in liberal democracies

• critical understanding of contemporary theories, debates and issues relating to politics and policy

• ability to critically analyse and apply theories and models to contemporary political and policy issues.

Graduates can pursue career paths in politics, policy research, lobbying, local and national government, the diplomatic services, education, charities and NGOs, or journalism.

Possible professions include:

• Civil Service fast-streamer

• government social research officer

• politician’s assistant

• public affairs consultant

• diplomatic services operational officer

• public relations officer

• journalist.