Social and Political Theory (MSc)

Our MSc Social and Political Theory explores pressing contemporary issues using political theory and sociology. Our focus is on the nature and workings of political power and authority and we will consider the relationships between states and societies, and the place of politics and power in everyday life.

As well as reading key classical texts of political theory and sociological analysis, we also analyse real-world contemporary problems and address fundamental questions of political power and social order. You will examine how political power originates and operates at an individual, social and political level, its relationship to sovereignty and the state, and how it intersects with issues such as justice and human rights, civil identity, democracy and economics. You will be equipped with the conceptual ideas, theoretical approaches and analytical research skills needed to study politics at postgraduate level.

Your option modules can be drawn from the Department of Politics, and also from the Department of Psychosocial Studies and the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology, thus offering you access to historical and psychosocial approaches to theory, politics and the social sciences.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

Graduates can pursue careers in the media and journalism, local and national government, the diplomatic service, policy research and political lobbying, the voluntary sector, teaching and researching. Possible professions include political lobbyist, Diplomatic Services operational officer, or high education lecturer. This degree may also be useful in becoming a government social research officer, charity officer, or newspaper journalist.

We offer a comprehensive Careers Service to help you advance your career, while our in-house, professional recruitment consultancy, Birkbeck Talent, works with London’s top employers to help you gain work experience that fits in with your evening studies.