Political and Legal Theory (MA)

Course overview

This programme will enable you to acquire knowledge and understanding of central normative concepts, theories and ideas, the debates they have generated, and their implications for public policy, institutional design and the law. This interdisciplinary approach is supported by the close cooperation fostered by the interdisciplinary Centre for Ethics, Law and Public Affairs (CELPA), which is situated in PAIS but which also includes members from Law, Philosophy and Sociology.

This programme provides an advanced education in normative issues that will prepare you for doctoral study that includes normative inquiry, and will give you a wide range of experience and skills in critical thinking and analysis that will be attractive to employers.

Double Degrees

Our Double Degree programmes enable you to combine the study of this MA programme in PAIS with a Master’s programme at any one of our partner universities:

• American University, Washington DC, USA
• University of Waterloo, Canada
• Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
• Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
• University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
• Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
• Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Learn more about our Double Degrees

Warwick welcomes applications with good degrees from respected universities in Jordan.

From Jordan, for Postgraduate Taught courses, we would typically require a 4-year bachelors degree from a recognised institution for entry, with the following equivalencies:

If you need any advice or guidance on the qualifications above, our Middle East and North Africa Team are here to help. Contact them at [email protected].

See our Jordan Country Information page for guidance, contacts and upcoming events in your country.

Careers and employability

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including: Action Aid; World Bank; UN agencies; UK and other universities; Deloitte; Office for National Statistics; Japan Ministry of Defence; Nationwide Building Society; Reddit; European Social Survey; the European Central Bank; and the UK Cabinet Office. They have pursued roles such as: communications officer for major NGOs; business and financial project manager; economist; finance officer; policy advisor; compliance analyst; data analyst; advisor in human rights; local council officer; and union campaigner.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Your future awaits - the many things you can do after your degree in the PAIS Department
• Careers in Government and Politics
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• After your PAIS Master’s – What Next?
• Assessment Centres and Interviews: an overview of what to expect for PAIS students

We also invite alumni and other professionals to talk about their job search and job experience in various sectors of interest to our students. Recent talks have discussed the sectors of human rights and humanitarian work, PhD and academic research, recruitment in the digital industry, The National Graduate Development Programme for Local Government, the UK Civil Service Fast Stream, and the Crown Prosecution Service.