Program Overview

Overview

The World Politics and Popular Culture MA focuses on key theories, policies, and events in world politics in relation to traditional and new media forms. Students will learn to think critically about how world politics is reflected or reproduced in popular culture and how the politics of popular culture shapes the dynamics of world politics.

What You'll Learn

The course includes:

• Compulsory modules
• Optional politics modules
• A dissertation The compulsory module is co-taught via videolink with students from York University (Toronto), providing an international dimension to learning. Remaining modules in popular culture are chosen from the wide range of modules available across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Modules

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Thinking About Politics (20 credits)
  • World Politics and Popular Culture (20 credits)
  • Dissertation (60 credits)
• Optional Modules:
  • Global Sustainable Futures: Solutions, Concepts, and Skills (20 credits)
  • Creative Methods in Social Science (20 credits)
  • Political Geographies of the Middle East (20 credits)
  • Geographical Inequalities and Policy (20 credits)
  • Migration, Displacement and Global Challenges (20 credits)
  • Cybersecurity Law and Policy (20 credits)
  • Public International Law (20 credits)
  • Law and Emerging Technologies (20 credits)
  • Social Media Regulation: Law, Policy and Society (20 credits)
  • Heritage Processes: global perspectives, practices and politics (20 credits)
  • European Union: Policy and Politics (20 credits)
  • Theories and Theorists of International Political Economy (20 credits)
  • Theories of International Relations (20 credits)
  • American Foreign Policy (20 credits)
  • Global Justice and Human Rights (20 credits)
  • Development, Environment and International Politics (20 credits)
  • Critical Geopolitics (20 credits)
  • The United Nations: Policy, Politics and Power (20 credits)
  • Principles of Data Science for Political Research (20 credits)
  • The Moral Limits of the Market: Theoretical Foundations (10 credits)
  • The Moral Limits of the Market: Public Policy Projects (10 credits)
  • Problem Solving for Defence (H4MoD) (20 credits)
  • Public Policy in Practice: from the Local to the Global (20 credits)
  • Power and Policy: Understanding Impact (20 credits)
  • Global Security: Politics, Space and Society (P) (20 credits)
  • Critical Approaches to Environment and Society (20 credits)
  • Global Sex Global Race (20 credits)
  • Inequalities: Issues and Intersections (20 credits)
  • Perpetual Wars? Crime, Policing and (in)Security (20 credits)

How You'll Learn

Assessment methods depend on the modules chosen and include:

• Dissertation
• Essay
• Research proposal
• Research paper
• Written exercise Student support is provided by academic staff, personal tutors, research supervisors, the University Student Services Team, student representatives, and peers.

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 125 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 200 for Politics and International Studies - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

Facilities

As a politics student, you will be based in the Henry Daysh Building, which includes a dedicated postgraduate computer room and a postgraduate common room.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

• Qualification: MA Full time: £11,400 (Home students), £26,500 (International students)
• Qualification: MA Part time: £5,700 (Home students)

Entry Requirements

• A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, from all disciplines.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow conversion of existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills, and experience into credits towards a qualification.

How to Apply

• Start dates: September
• Closing dates: No application closing date, but it is recommended to apply by the start of September.
• Deposit: £1,500 for international students or those from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland who need a visa to study in the UK.
• Programme codes: 4109F (Full time), 4109P (Part time)