With us, you will be studying in a department large enough to provide a wide range of expertise yet small enough to still have the personal touch.

We don’t just want to teach you – we want to get to know you and share ideas and opinions with you. Our staff are established academics whose work is known the world over as well as new, young, academics who are challenging the boundaries of their field. At Swansea we believe, above all, that the study of political and cultural studies should always open your mind and extend your skills. With a Postgraduate Taught Masters degree from us you will be better prepared for the world of work or ready to pursue PhD level research. But you will also be better able to think through the challenges we all face in a world that is rapidly changing and where politics, in the widest sense, matters more than ever.

MA Schemes

The Department of Political and Cultural Studies currently offers eight degree schemes, six in the area of Politics, International Relations and Development, and one each in Digital Media and War and Society. Please click on each for further details. 

• MA in Politics
• MA in Public Policy
• MA International Relations
• MA International Security and Development
• MA International Communication and Development
• MA in Development and Human Rights
• MA in Digital Media
• MA War and Society
• MA in Comparative Journalism

Members of staff also contribute to teaching the MA in Gender, Culture and Development. 

Work-based placements

Some of the degrees are enriched by opportunities (awarded on a competitive basis) for work-based placement learning either through the Study in the Gambia programme or placements arranged with government organisations in Wales.

Entry Requirements

We welcome students from all over the world with a range of backgrounds and qualifications. The typical entry requirement is a minimum of a lower second class BA degree (with an overall average of at least 55%) or equivalent, in Politics, International Relations or a related subject area.  Overseas students are expected to possess and IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if English is not their first language. Relevant work experience is also taken into consideration.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates are employed in diverse and dynamic vocations such as government and politics, foreign affairs and diplomatic corps; humanitarian organisations; marketing, sales and advertising; commercial, industrial and public Sectors; education; business, law and finance; art, design and culture; journalism, media and PR.

For further information on Taught MA Programmes, please contact:

Dr. Krijn Peters
Dept. of Political and Cultural Studies
Email: k.peters@swansea.ac.uk

Research Degrees

We also offer MA by Research, MPhil and PhD degrees in Politics, International Relations, Development, Conflict Studies, Digital Media and Philosophy.  For further information, please visit the weblink to Postgraduate Research Degrees.

Political and Cultural Studies Research Expertise

For further information on research degrees, please contact:

Dr. Mark Evans
Dept. of Political and Cultural Studies
Email: m.a.evans@swansea.ac.uk