Postgraduate Studies: Taught Masters Courses
We offer 12 one-year or part-time Masters programmes, including 3 joint degrees with the Departments of Law and Philosophy, 1 faculty degree and a Politics with Research Methods Masters that provides the training to embark on a Ph.D degree.
NEW! MA in Global Justice
Debates surrounding issues of global justice have recently moved to the centre of both political theory and political practice. The numerous topics and concerns that fall under the rubric of global justice (e.g. human rights, just war theory, global distributive justice, abject poverty, global health, environmental justice, etc.) are therefore becoming of increasing interest to students and practitioners alike.
Faculty MPA in Public Administration and Management
The MPA is designed to help you move your career forward. From day one, we'll equip you with the knowledge and skills to prepare you for the complexities of leadership in modern governance.
This degree is only open to individuals with 3 years' professional career experience.
The first semester gives you a thorough grounding in contemporary policy-making and strategic management. As you progress, you'll choose what to study and tailor the course to your needs.
You'll be taught by leading academics from across five departments and gain valuable inside knowledge from industry professions in our Masterclass series. Taking away skills that will benefit you and your employer from day one.
Faculty MPA in Public Administration and Management
MA in Contemporary Global Security
Following 9/11, global security has undoubtedly become one of the most prominent fields of research in political science. This course will examine from theoretical and empirical perspectives the `new´ threat of global terrorism and contestation over military intervention in various regions. It will seek to identify what are the new global security challenges and the impact on patterns in international relations.
MA in European Governance and Politics
This programme explores key debates about new patterns of governance in the EU, and with the EU´s impact on current and future member states (Europeanisation). It combines core elements in the study of the EU with an innovative focus on Europe beyond the borders of the EU, as well as choice from a broader range of options.
MA in European Governance and Politics
MA in European Law, Governance and Politics [jointly taught with the Department of Law]
The growth of new forms of governance in the EU has blurred the traditionally distinct boundaries between law and politics. This programme offers core elements in the study of European law, governance and politics to provide a distinctive interdisciplinary programme for overseas and home-based students coming from law, politics and other cognate disciplines.
MA in European Law, Governance and Politics
Other MA Programmes
MA in Politics with Research Methods
This course is intended as a preparatory degree for MPhil and PhD research. The course design meets the new research training guidelines provided by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It is built around three complementary strands: generic social science methods training; politics/international relations methods training; and a specialist training pathway in one area of politics/international relations
MA in Politics with Research Methods course details
MA in Politics
This course is designed with the maximum flexibility so that you can choose your own pathway to an MA in Politics. It is ideal for students with a broad range of interests in politics or for those who want to construct a curriculum around a particular area of interest.
MA in International Studies
This course addresses key debates in the discipline of International Relations and reflects on issues of critical importance in today's world. It offers in-depth knowledge of contemporary IR theory and a practical knowledge of regional problems and challenges to global stability.
MA in International Studies course details
MA in International Political Economy
A key issue in international politics is globalisation. This course examines the nature and direction of global change, focusing on political and economic aspects, including thematic issues concerning hegemony, development, governance and co-operation. It sets the historical context and provides a practical approach to analysis of this change.
MA in International Political Economy course details
MA in Globalisation and Development
Globalisation constitutes the most important challenge confronting nation-states (developed, developing and least-developed) in the twenty-first century. Issues including financial instability and contagion, poverty and famine, war and insecurity, the rise of new powers like China and India, climate change and environmental degradation, human trafficking and immigration can all in some way be linked to the global politics of economic integration.
MA in Globalisation and Development details
MA in Governance and Public Policy
Most public policy-making is no longer simply a national endeavour. Globalisation and other international developments increasingly influence the process of policy-making. This course explores the tension between domestic and international actors in the context of a multi-level policy process and the practical challenges for policy-makers in an increasingly complex policy arena.
MA in Governance and Public Policy course details
MA in Global Politics and Law [jointly taught with the Department of Law]
The MA in Global Politics and Law aims to investigate critically an exciting interdisciplinary area between law and politics, centring on the theme of internationalism - denoting a focus on common intellectual themes around issues such as human rights and implications of international law, justice and democracy. Students will be encouraged to take intellectual risks and utilise the academic resources of both disciplines.
MA in Global Politics and Law Course Details
MA in Global Politics and Law (Doshisha Pathway)
The Department of Politics and School of Law at the University of Sheffield have developed a two-year collaborative dual awards programme with Doshisha University, which is based in the historic city of Kyoto, Japan.
Successful completion will result in two Masters, the University of Sheffield MA in Global Politics and Law and Doshisha University MA in Asia-Pacific Law and Politics. The programme is the first UK dual award programme with a Japanese University in the areas of law and politics.
We are very excited about this new venture, and believe students who undertake the programme will find this not only a rewarding and stimulating postgraduate experience but that it will provide them with a breadth of knowledge and life experiences that few other degrees can offer.
MA in Global Politics and Law (Doshisha Pathway)
MA in Political Theory [jointly taught with The Department of Philosophy]
Designed for students with an interest in issues in contemporary political philosophy, such as rights, global justice, war, democracy, as well as key figures in the history of political ideas, including Plato, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Marx and Rawls, this course is taught jointly by the Departments of Philosophy and Politics, both leading departments in the UK, with international reputations for teaching and research.