Taught Masters: MA in European Governance and Politics

This programme will familiarise you with key debates about new patterns of governance in the European Union, and with the EU's impact on current and future member states (Europeanisation). The programme combines core elements in the study of the European Union with an innovative focus on Europe beyond the borders of the EU as well as choice from a broader range of options.

Students will be encouraged to explore their own particular concerns through the options offered and in particular during the dissertation.

The programme is based on the strengths of the Department of Politics. The Department has one of the largest groupings of specialists in such a department in the UK. There are already well-developed research activities on the subject of the programme (seminars on multi-level governance between Politics and Law as well as a reading group) and a major research council-funded project on multi-level governance involving four colleagues in Politics. These activities are embedded in the Politics Department's research culture and encompass postgraduate students as well as staff. A group of academic staff work on the EU in the Department, in the Centre for International Policy Research (CIPol), a major focal point in the research strategy of Politics. The Department of Politics was ranked joint top in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise with 95% of published work deemed of international quality, 45% of which was considered world leading.

Knowledge of the European Union is important to careers in the public sector and in non-governmental organisations, whether at European, national, regional or local level. The degree is therefore designed to offer an advanced education in the governance and politics of the EU in order to enhance graduates' employability.

The programme is built around the spine of two 30 credit core modules which will introduce, at an advanced level, students to the key theories, concepts, methodologies and debates in the areas of European Governance and Politics. Students will take a further two, unrestricted, 30 credit modules, plus a 60 credit dissertation utilising research skills acquired during the taught part of the programme.

Course Structure

All students must undertake 180 credits of modules as follows:

• Two core modules: POL6560 The Governance and Politics of the European Union (30 credits) and POL6001 Europeanisation (30 credits);
• Option modules to the value of 60 credits (all modules are subject to availability);
• POL6701 Dissertation in European Governance and Politics (60 credits).