When angry at a particular government policy, some people sit in their armchair and complain, others write letters and organise committees, some participate in social media campaigns, while others still protest or even riot in the street. Politicians care about public opinion, so how do we explain these choices? How are reactions shaped by people’s social background, their economic circumstances, their personality, or even their genetic inheritance? Can politicians and the media influence public opinion and if so, how? MA Public Opinion and Political Behaviour explores the interaction between the mass public and political elites in advanced industrial democracies.
You are introduced to the latest theoretical debates about the nature, significance and measurement of public opinion, exploring when and how these opinions translate into political participation, from voting behaviour and signing petitions to suicide bombing. You also look at the main theoretical approaches in the study of politics, combined with a selection of optional modules including: Quantitative data analysis in political explanations Survey measurement and question design Political parties in Britain and Europe Measuring public opinion Democracies in Europe Our Department of Government is one of the most prestigious in Europe, with an outstanding record of teaching, research and publication.
We are rated top in the UK for research (REF 2014), and have consistently been the highest-rated politics department in the country since national assessments began. With this course you also have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner institutions and achieve a dual award, which means you’ll receive two Masters degrees in two years. Find out more on our dual award webpage.
We will consider all applicants with 2:2 or above, or equivalent international qualifications. For some courses, there may be additional requirements which can be found on our website.
For fees and funding options including scholarships available please visit website to find out more
All Essex politics graduates have the distinction of a qualification from one of the world’s leading politics departments.
Our course can lead to a career in the polling industry, market research, British and European Politics or the private sector. You will develop key employability skills including analytical reasoning, survey design, polling, research design, and report writing.
Recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organisations:
Founded by Sir Albert Sloman during the peak of the counterculture, the University of Essex was built to be “a new kind of university…where rese...