Politics
Politics is the study of power, collective decisions and the organisation of human societies. It asks who governs, on what terms, by what means and to whose benefit, and it examines these questions across a wide range of contexts, from domestic institutions and electoral systems to the biggest challenges facing humanity as a whole. As a discipline it draws on philosophy, history, sociology and economics, giving it a breadth that makes it one of the most intellectually stimulating of the social sciences and one of the most versatile in the careers it leads to.
At the University of Dundee, the four-year MA programme allows you to study politics alongside other subjects from the breadth of the university, including history, geography, languages and psychology, before developing your specialism in the later years. You will gain an overview of the British political system, examine the major ideological traditions that have shaped democratic politics, and engage with some of the most complex problems facing contemporary societies, from climate change and migration to inequality and global governance. A year abroad is built into the programme, giving you the opportunity to experience political culture and academic life in a different national context and to broaden the comparative perspective that political analysis demands.
Politics graduates are among the most employable in the social sciences, moving into an exceptionally wide range of careers. The civil service, local government, political parties and advocacy organisations all employ politics graduates in roles from policy research and analysis to communications and lobbying. Journalism, think-tanks, international organisations, NGOs and law firms all value the analytical, research and communication skills the discipline develops.
Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in politics, international relations, public policy, law or a related field, where the intellectual formation of their undergraduate degree provides a strong and versatile foundation.