Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
MRes Politics
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MRes Politics | Programme code | PTR1HPSHPS11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
The MRes provides the generic social science and politics specific research training necessary to go on to doctoral research or to pursue a career as a professional researcher. The MRes can be pursued on its own, or as the first year of the Four-Year PhD programme, in which case the dissertation is used as a springboard to PhD level research.
On completion of the programme you will be able to demonstrate a detailed and comprehensive understanding of current issues in political science and understand the origins, history and development of political science and its philosophical underpinnings.
Our Masters of Research (MRes) programme has ‘1+3’ recognition from the Economic and Social Research Council which means it can be taken as the first step of a four-year PhD programme.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
1. To enable students to develop a broad based and relevant knowledge of and competence in the use of research methods in the social sciences
2. To provide students with a range of transferable skills appropriate to Master's level research within the discipline
3. To equip students for careers as professional researchers in either academic or non-academic environments
4. To set the core training in social scientific philosophy and methodology within a contemporary politics and international relations context, thereby allowing students to apply the wider concepts and skills introduced in the broader social scientific setting to specific topics of social science inquiry
5. To offer students a specialized training in political science and social science research methods as a direct means of enhancing their employment skills
6. To prepare students to take more advanced courses in quantitative data analysis
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
This research training Masters programme is studied over 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time) and is university-based throughout that period. The programme comprises 180 credits in total: taught modules worth 135 credits and a supervised dissertation worth 45 credits (including a taught 'skills' component). Teaching takes place over two semesters (October to April): work on formulating a dissertation topic begins early in the academic year while the writing up takes place from June to the mid-September deadline. The taught element consists of four compulsory core modules (105 credits) that provide generic social science and discipline specific research skills training, as well as specialist research training in one of the subfields of the discipline (depending on the direction of your MRes dissertation and plans for the +3 thesis).
Please note that the modules offered are subject to change depending on staff availability, timetabling and student demand.
Stage 1
Compulsory Modules
Specialist training pathway modules (30 credits)
In addition to the core modules you will take one module of 30 credits, selected in consultation with the Postgraduate Coordinator in Politics. Your choice of module depends on your anticipated research area (developed in the MRes Dissertation with a view to progression to the +3 thesis).
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOCM020 | Research Methods in the Social Sciences | 30 | No |
| POLM086 | Quantitative Data Analysis or POLM809 (15 credit version) | 30 | No |
| POLM140 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research or POLM063 (15 credit version) | 30 | No |
| POLM886 | Dissertation | 60 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRes Politics PGT option modules 2023-24 | |||
| POLM014M | MPA Applied Studies | 60 | No |
| POLM057 | Understanding and Interpretation in Political Thought | 30 | No |
| POLM063 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 15 | No |
| POLM082 | International Relations of the Middle East | 30 | No |
| POLM084 | Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics | 30 | No |
| POLM085 | Work Placement in Conflict, Security and Development | 30 | No |
| POLM086 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 30 | No |
| POLM088 | State-building after Civil War | 30 | No |
| POLM140 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 30 | No |
| POLM148 | Brexit: Causes, Interpretation and Implications | 30 | No |
| POLM158 | Digital Politics and Policy | 30 | No |
| POLM168 | From Oppression to Resistance: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender | 30 | No |
| POLM502 | International Relations: Power and Institutions | 30 | No |
| POLM651 | State and Society in the Middle East | 30 | No |
| POLM803 | Sources in Modernity and Post-Modernity | 30 | No |
| POLM809 | Applied Quantitative Data Analysis | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Integrate concepts and analyses in the field of political science and international relations | 1-6 are developed through seminar discussion and assignments on the Political Analysis and Research methods module. 3 and 4 are developed specifically in the specialist optional training module. 2, 4 and 6 are developed through the seminar discussion, practical exercises and essay assignments in the Elements of Research Design, Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences and Applied Quantitative Data Analysis modules, supplemented by specialist training in the Advanced Level Political Science module, and in the Philosophy of Social Science module. 5 is developed through assigned work and reading in the Philosophy of Social Sciences Module | Acquisition of these skills is assessed through written assignments and the dissertation. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
7. Demonstrate comprehension of the relationships between theory and practice in political and social science | 7 and 8 are developed primarily through seminar discussion and assignments on the Philosophy of Social Science and Political Analysis and Research Methods modules. 9-13 are acquired through discussion, practical exercises and assignments on the Research Design and Qualitative and Quantitative data analysis modules. 14 is a requirement of all modules. 15 is developed through the written research plans produced for Dissertation Skills and Research Design modules, and in the dissertation. | Acquisition of these skills is assessed through essay assignments and the dissertation. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
16. Think independently at an advanced level | 16 to 18 are requirements of all modules, and especially the dissertation. 19 and 20 are core requirements of all modules, and especially the dissertation. 21 to 23 are developed through seminar work on the taught modules. 24 is developed through the Dissertation Skills and Research Design modules and is applied on the dissertation. | 16 to 18 are assessed in all modules by essay work, and by the dissertation. 19 and 20 are assessed on all modules through the essays that go to make up the portfolio on which the coursework is assessed, and in the dissertation. 21 to 23 are reflected in seminar work and presentations. 24 is assessed as part of the 3,000-word research plan produced for the Social Science Research Management module, and in the 15,000 word dissertation. |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
As a postgraduate taught student in the College of Social Sciences and International Studies you will be allocated a Personal Tutor at the commencement of your studies. In normal circumstances your Personal Tutor will remain your tutor throughout your study programme. You should make contact with your Personal Tutor three or four times a year and these meetings may typically commence soon after registration. These meetings will take place once or twice per-year to discuss your progress and to perhaps consider Personal Development Planning (ePDP) and once to discuss your overall performance. The ePDP is a particularly useful developmental tool which you are encouraged to utilise and which is accessible though the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE). Each student will in addition receive formative feedback from various discussion forums and exercises (administered by teaching staff) throughout the delivery of modules and therefore receive essentially continuous feedback during the taught component of the programme. Your dissertation supervisor will provide academic and tutorial support once students move on to the research component of the course. Student progess will be monitored and students can receive up-to-date records of the assessment, achievements and progress at any stage.
You should feel that you are able to approach your Personal Tutor for advice, pastoral support or academic support in a wider sense.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision. For those learning in distance mode, nominations to the PGT SSLC will be undertaken democratically online. Where appropriate SSLCs will make use of telephone conferencing facilities to ensure those on the distance learning programme are included.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MRes Politics
19. UCAS Code
C790
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 06/02/2012 |
Date of last revision | 19/04/2013 |
|---|
