Master of Research - Political Science

The University of Essex MRes gives students additional rigorous training in research design and methods compared to an MSc or MA, preparing students for PhD research in any sub-field of political science. Essex has the only political science department to receive the prestigious Regius Professorship.

Students learn how to ask questions across political science, developing theories, conducting research, analyzing data and exploring the empirical implications of theoretical models empirical methods. Students learn to draw their own conclusions as to which approaches are appropriate for the questions they want to ask and answer, and gain a thorough and rigorous understanding of such research tools.

Students study modules on theories of political explanation, research design, and empirical and mixed research methods across the two years, whilst developing a 35,000-word dissertation.

An MRes puts students in a particularly strong position to succeed in a research degree. They offer supervision for PhD and MPhil in the following fields: government and politics, ideology and discourse analysis, international relations, political behaviour, and political economy. Recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organizations: the Civil Service, local government, the World Bank, the United Nations and NATO.

Essex's academic reputation is illustrated by the fact that many of their graduates now teach or research at universities, colleges of higher education and schools. For example, recent graduates are now research fellows and academic staff at: Mannheim, Germany; ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Duke University, USA; NATO/SHAPE, Belgium; and University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.