Government, Policy and Politics,MSc

Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom, London

University RankQS Ranking

408

Apply Now!

Go to Official Website

Home/United Kingdom/London /Birkbeck, University of London/Government, Policy and Politics,MSc

Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom , London

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesOctober-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Next Intake October-2026

Government, Policy and Politics,MSc

About

Course Overview

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.
Taught by academics with expertise in researching, writing about and participating in politics, it gives you the opportunity to debate and engage with the everyday practicalities of the field.
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 needed to analyse political debates and engage with contemporary politics and policy in a critical manner.

You will explore:

the UK’s political and constitutional order
central ideas in political science around 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 the judiciary
how and why policy is made
developments in a wide range of policy areas, including health care, social policy, migration, the environment, education and macroeconomics.

You will be able to tailor the course to your interests with option modules on a wide variety of topics, and you will learn qualitative and quantitative research methods that will enable you to complete a dissertation on a subject of your choice.

How you will learn

You will learn through lectures, seminars, online resources and activities. This course is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening, making it ideal for those wishing to balance study with other commitments.

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.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Government, Policy and Politics (MSc).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Our standard postgraduate entry requirement is a second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university, or an equivalent international qualification.

Please find details of entry requirements and equivalencies for over 120 countries worldwide.

We will review every postgraduate application to Birkbeck on its individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place and allow enough time for the application and enrolment process. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

International students: Please note, 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.

English Program Requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Career

On successfully graduating from this MSc Government, Policy and Politics, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

advanced knowledge of British political institutions and of 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 key 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.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.