MRes Politics
Course Overview
The University of Greater Manchester's Masters by Research (MRes) in Politics is a multidisciplinary research training programme designed to be truly novel and sui generis. It is designed to inspire the imagination and foster creativity while providing rigorous training in advanced research skills and deep subject knowledge.The programme is delivered through a staged and flexible approach enabling you to develop research skills as preparation for a PhD or Professional Doctorate. Opportunities may be available for students to undertake applied research projects involving knowledge exchange.
The MRes programme will provide a common foundation for PhD or Professional Doctorate programmes with an interim award available following the gaining of 60 credits (PgCert), and an exit award of the 180 credit MRes.
Highlights
- The MRes Politics is carefully designed to support you in developing a systematic and critical knowledge and understanding of politics through the study and application of advanced research methods and skills using a scaffolded approach to learning.
- The MRes research project provides the opportunity for you to undertake in-depth independent and original research or advanced scholarship on a subject of interest within the broad field of political studies.
- A range of academic and professional assessments which are carefully planned throughout the student journey.
- Opportunities to showcase your work within and across disciplines.
- Successful graduates will be eligible to apply for advanced standing onto PhD and doctoral study.
Key Features
- We will support you in developing a systematic understanding of knowledge, a critical awareness of current problems, and/or new insights into politics.
- We will guide you as you develop the ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and clearly communicate the conclusions of your research to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- You will be able to demonstrate an advanced understanding of how established research and enquiry techniques can be practically applied to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.
- You will evaluate and critically apply current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline, evaluate methodologies and develop critiques to develop creative solutions and/or hypotheses.
- Through a blended learning approach, you will develop the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment that requires initiative, personal responsibility, and decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.
- You will develop critical self-awareness and independent learning strategies in order to develop academically and professionally.
Entry Requirements
- You are normally expected to have successfully completed an honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject (minimum classification 2.2 or equivalent).
- You should include in your personal statement an explanation of your research interests and how they align with your career aspirations. You may be required to attend an interview to discuss this further.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
You will develop transferable skills of independent thought and critical analysis, analysing and evaluating complex issues and solving unfamiliar problems, presenting ideas clearly and with confidence, and working independently.
The focus on political studies also helps equip you with understanding of theories of how change is enacted within society, and how politicians and voters behave. This links to wider theories of how differences are managed within society.
What can I do with this qualification?
Alternative career options
Here are some career options you can pursue with an MRes. Please bear in mind that some of these options require prior experience and/or additional qualifications.
- Academic research assistant
- Policy analyst
- Political adviser
- Social policy researcher
- Economist
- Journalist
- Think Tank researcher
- Civil servant
- Diplomat/foreign policy adviser
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
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Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
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Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
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Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
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Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
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Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton MRes Politics - 22 September 2025
International Applicants
Thank you for your interest
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
Teaching & Assessment
The programme will be delivered using a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face delivery sessions with online and practical work as appropriate. A range of learning and teaching methods will be employed, including lectures (face-to-face or online), seminars, tutorials, discussion groups, guest speakers and master classes. A significant amount of personal study time is expected to be undertaken by the student comprising, for example, background reading, online activities, assessment work and preparation for sessions.
Assessment methods
The assessment strategy for the programme is designed to ensure that students achieve the overall aims and learning outcomes of the programme, as well as the learning outcomes for individual modules. Assessment serves several functions: it is used to evaluate your achievement, and also serves to help you organise and develop your learning. Feedback from assessment serves an important educational function and can help students develop their skills and understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses.
The types of assessment students will be required to complete fall into two general categories: formative and summative. Formative assessments are activities that do not contribute to students' overall module grade. They are however an integral part of the learning strategy for a module and students are required to complete them. Students will receive feedback on their level of achievement; this may take a variety of forms. Summative assessments are those assessment activities for which the marks will contribute to the overall module grade. Students will also receive feedback on these assessments so that they will know what they have done well and where they can improve.
Many different forms of assessment are employed on the programme. For both formative and summative purposes, the major forms are: coursework; reports, case studies; oral presentations, research proposals and an extended project.
Learning Activities
A range of learning and teaching methods will be employed, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion groups, assessment work and preparation for sessions. The course is taught by a core team of specialist lecturers. Assessment will be by a combination of coursework and practical exercises, such as the preparation of presentations. A final research project will form the largest part of the assessment. A significant amount of personal study time is expected to be undertaken by the student comprising, for example, background reading and online activities. This programme adopts a blended style of learning and teaching including online delivery and engagement where appropriate. Students are expected to develop and maintain an active interest in current developments in politics during their course, to enable them to get the most from their studies in the subject.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Academic Skills and Professional Development
- MRes Specialism: Critical Insights
- Advanced Research Methodology
- Research Project
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 88% Practical exams 12% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 90% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 10% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
