About this course
Connect behaviour, power, and global politics and develop the critical thinking and analytical skills needed to succeed in contemporary politics with this MSc Politics degree.
This research-led Pilitics Master’s degree gives you a balanced and in-depth understanding of politics at domestic and global levels. You'll explore political behaviour, governance and international relations and security, drawing directly on internationally recognised research in political science and political psychology.
Research-led, interdisciplinary teaching
Sitting at the intersection of politics, psychology and the wider social sciences and takes an interdisciplinary approach to analysing complex political problems. You'll examine how identity, emotion and cognition shape political behaviour, and how institutions and governance structures respond to global challenges.
You'll learn from researchers whose work shapes debates in political psychology, governance and international security. Teaching connects you to active research communities and current scholarship, demonstrating how political knowledge informs real-world decision-making.
Throughout the MSc Politics course, you'll develop skills for policy and practice so you graduate ready for professional roles. You'll develop:
- critical analysis and problem-solving
- clear written and verbal communication
- qualitative and quantitative research skills
- the ability to translate evidence into policy-relevant insights
Flexible pathways to suit your interests
During your studies you'll have the opportunity to continue on a general politics route and combine optional modules from areas that interest you. Alternatively, you can take a specialised pathway in Political Psychology and Electoral Behaviour or International Relations and Security.
Psychology and Electoral behaviour pathway
On this pathway you'll learn about the psychological underpinnings of political decision-making, voter behaviour, leadership, and crisis responses. Topics of study may include how emotions, identity, and biases shape voting patterns, what drives voting behaviour and mass movements, mechanisms behind crisis decision-making and more.
International Relations and Security pathway
This pathway explores power dynamics in international relations, governance challenges, development, and diplomacy. Topics of study may include understanding institutional constraints, adaptive governance, theories of leadership in both international and domestic politics and the role of China in shaping global governance and geopolitics.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
You course lead is Tereza Capelos. Tereza is professor of political psychology, studying the psychological processes, mechanisms, and dynamics that explain political behaviour.
Tereza is also co-Editor of the Palgrave Global Handbook in Political Psychology, and publishes articles in international peer review journals.
Learn more about this subject area
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
