MSc Government, Policy and Politics at Birkbeck, University of London

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.

Faculty: School of Social Sciences  |  Duration: One year full-time, on campus; One year full-time, online; One year full-time, flexible learning; Two years part-time, on campus; Two years part-time, online; Two years part-time, flexible learning  |  Study mode: full-time, part-time, online option  |  Intake: October 2027 | January 2028  |  Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

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. Compulsory modules include Power and Politics in the UK.

Career pathways

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.

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