Integrated Master in Politics: Politics and International Relations ,with Placement Year

What is the Integrated Master in Politics (MPol): Politics and International Relations?

The Integrated Master in Politics (MPol): Politics and International Relations is a four-year degree, or five years with an optional placement or year abroad. It combines undergraduate and postgraduate study in a single integrated programme.

You’ll graduate with advanced analytical skills, deep political insight, and a master’s qualification that prepares you to shape policy and lead change across government and global organisations.

Why this course

The Integrated Master in Politics and International Relations (MPol) lets you fast-track your studies and graduate with both an undergraduate and master’s qualification - reducing visa and application complexity while giving you a competitive edge in global careers.

Learn from academics who advise governments and international organisations, gaining the insight to understand how political decisions are made and applied in practice.

With an optional placement or study abroad year, you’ll put your skills to work in real-world settings, expanding your professional experience and global perspective before you graduate.

Who should apply

• Students aiming to fast-track their studies while reducing visa and application complexity, and who want to influence political life at home and abroad
• Those seeking sharper skills in policy analysis and leadership
• Aspiring MPs, advisors, campaign managers, and policy strategists
• Ambitious students targeting careers in government, political consulting, or public service leadership

What you’ll learn

• Political systems and behaviour: Understand how democracies, authoritarian states, and elections function - and why people vote the way they do
• Politics at home and abroad: Explore war, diplomacy, and security, connecting global events to domestic politics
• Ideas and policy: Investigate ideology, human rights, and climate politics, and how they shape real-world decisions
• Research skills: Develop data analysis and research design skills used by leading political scientists
• Master's-level expertise: Advance to postgraduate study in your final year to deepen your knowledge and professional edge

Your learning experience

• Integrated degree: Progress seamlessly from undergraduate to postgraduate study in one programme
• Optional study abroad year: Spend an additional year at a partner university to broaden your global perspective and gain international experience
• Optional placement year: Add a year in industry to build professional skills and contacts, earning credit toward your degree
• Applied learning: Access specialist facilities, including behavioural science labs and advanced data software
• Expert supervision: Be taught and guided by world-renowned academics in politics and international relations

Careers and outcomes

The Integrated Master in Politics and International Relations (MPol) equips you for influential careers in:

• National government and politics: Civil service, political parties, parliamentary policy units
• Policy design and advocacy: NGOs, campaigning organisations, and policy advisory roles
• Research and consultancy: Political strategy, polling, and think tank analysis
• Media and communications: Political journalism, campaign strategy, and public affairs
• Public leadership: Local government, legislative analysis, and policy implementation

Employers of our graduates

Graduates from the Department of Government have progressed to roles in:

• The United Nations
• UK Parliament and Civil Service
• NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)
• International NGOs and humanitarian organisations
• Global think tanks and consultancies