Master of Arts in Public Opinion and Political Behaviour

MA Public Opinion and Political Behaviour explores the interaction between the mass public and political elites in advanced industrial democracies. You are introduced to the latest theoretical debates about the nature, significance and measurement of public opinion, exploring when and how these opinions translate into political participation, from voting behaviour and signing petitions to suicide bombing.
All Essex politics graduates have the distinction of a qualification from one of the world's leading politics departments.

Our course can lead to a career in the polling industry, market research, British and European Politics or the private sector. You will develop key employability skills including analytical reasoning, survey design, polling, research design, and report writing.

We also offer supervision for PhD and MPhil in the following fields: government, ideology and discourse analysis, international relations, political behaviour, and politics.

Our academic reputation is illustrated by the fact that many of our 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.

A 2.2 degree in Political Science, International Relations, International Studies, American Studies, United States Politics, Economics, Finance or Statistics.
A 2.2 degree in any subject which includes study in two relevant modules. Relevant modules include, but are not limited to:Comparative Political Systems, Constitutional Democracy, Contemporary World Affairs, Current Affairs, Democratic Theory

Official transcript(s), in English or a certified translation of your academic results to date, showing marks or grades, must be provided at the time you make your application. (Transcripts are not required from current or previous University of Essex students, or from students who have previously completed a degree at Colchester Institute awarded by the University of Essex).

IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
TOEFL IBT - 88 overall with minimum component scores: Listening: 17 Reading: 18 Writing: 24 Speaking: 20