Political Behaviour

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The University of Essex is one of the UK's leading academic institutions, ranked ninth nationally for research excellence following the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

Why do some people participate in politics while others do not? Why do people vote the way they do? Can we predict behaviour from social characteristics or psychological variables such as values, attitudes, political preferences and evaluations of political and economic outcomes? How do we establish whether these psychological influences really cause behaviour? What is the dynamic relationship between parties and voters? Does policy in representative democracy reflect the preferences of its citizens?

MSc Political Behaviour explores the interaction between the political elites and the mass public in advanced industrial democracies. We focus primarily on Great Britain and the United States but also draw on evidence from other countries. Our graduates find jobs in market research, the media and central or local government, or undertake further research in political behaviour.

When angry at a particular government policy, some people sit in their armchair and complain, others write letters and organise committees, while others protest or even riot in the street. How do we explain these choices? How are reactions shaped by peoples social background, their economic circumstances, their personality, or even their genetic inheritance?
MSc Political Behaviour explores the interaction between the mass public and political elites in advanced industrial democracies. We pay particular attention to voting behaviour but cover the full range of ways in which people may participate in politics, from signing petitions to suicide bombing. You will also take Theory and Explanation in Political Science which looks at the main theoretical approaches to the study of politics and Advanced Research Methods which looks at quantitative methods and how they are employed in the study of politics, combined with a selection of optional modules. You will write a dissertation, which must be submitted in September.
Our graduates find jobs in market research, the media and central or local government, or undertake further research in political behaviour. You will develop key employability skills including analytical reasoning, research design, quantitative methods, data analysis and report writing.

Upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, in relevant subject area.IELTS 6.5. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

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