Study key debates in contemporary political theory. This module will enable you to transition from undergraduate study into postgraduate work.

Explore underrepresented philosophical traditions, voices, and methodologies across cultures, genders, and social contexts. This module challenges dominant narratives in Western philosophy, fostering critical engagement with global perspectives – but it also challenges you to consider whether there is a discipline of ‘philosophy’.

With guidance from an academic supervisor, students write an extended dissertation.

This module examines how political theory can be applied to real-world contexts, focusing on its role in public policy. You will explore how philosophical positions inform real-world decision-making and how abstract concepts translate into lived political realities.

Engage in guided close reading of classic texts in political philosophy and gain a knowledge and understanding of key works in the discipline You will develop skills in reading complex texts, and the language of philosophy as an academic discipline.

Diplomacy and foreign policy are central to the understanding of international relations and global affairs. The structure of the international system induces a constant need for political dialogue and negotiations. Beyond war, diplomacy is the common language states are using to interact on the world stage.

You will explore contemporary approaches to conceptualising diplomacy and foreign policy in the 21st century and learn how to critically analyse the major dynamics shaping them in the modern world. You will also examine key contemporary challenges in the practice of diplomacy and foreign policy, across the peace-crisis-conflict continuum.

In this module, you will develop both theoretical and practical understanding of contemporary issues, such as:

• Nuclear weapons
• Arms control
• Disarmament
• Technological development and foreign policy
• Space
• Cyber
• Biotechnological security
• The role of intelligence in foreign policy and diplomacy
• Environmental
• Maritime security

Immigration and welfare are globally hot-button topics, dominating headlines and sparking political controversy. Yet, policies intended to address them often fall short. Why?

You will explore this question, using global case studies to examine why systems struggle and what policy solutions might work.You will focus on needs, rights, and responsibilities and explore why immigration and welfare policies often fail to address deep-rooted global issues such as widespread social inequalities and how they can be tackled.

On this module you’ll encounter the latest theories, innovative research, and pressing policy challenges—from ageing populations and changing labour markets to the rise of border controls. You will unpack tools used by governments, like digital technologies, nudge policies, offshoring and hostile environments—and you’ll examine their ethical implications.

By the end, you’ll not only understand the major forces shaping immigration and welfare policy today—you’ll have the critical insight and practical skills needed to shape them yourself, preparing you for leadership roles in government, NGOs and policy research.

In this module, you will examine the development of International Relations theory in the 20th and 21st centuries, exploring it through the lens of major historical developments and contemporary global events. The module aims to equip you with the critical skills and foundation knowledge necessary to engage with the complexities of the modern world.

You will explore themes of unequal power relations and Western dominance in the study of international relations and politics and how this has been embedded in our institutions. You will also be introduced to key theoretical frameworks and to debates surrounding issues in human and environmental sustainability.

This module introduces you to major contemporary philosophical debates and prepares you for advanced postgraduate study. You will develop skills in a range of philosophical methods, equipping you to critically engage with philosophical work across diverse areas of the discipline.

Examine how philosophical thinking can be applied to real-world contexts, from its role in public policy to the role philosophy can play in inter- and cross-disciplinary enquiry. You will engage with a broad range of applied philosophical thinking, ranging from ethics to philosophy of science and epistemology.

With guidance from an academic supervisor, students design and pursue an independent research project aligned with their philosophical interests, developing skills in self-directed research.

Design and pursue an independent research project aligned with your philosophical interests. You will develop skills in self-directed research. You will receive guidance from an academic supervisor.

On this module you will undertake an in-depth study of key issues in the philosophy of mental health. Topics will vary from year to year, but may include:

• The nature of mental health and disorder
• The conceptual foundations of psychoanalysis
• Classification in psychiatry
• Conceptualising cultural variations
• realism and constructionism about mental disorder
• Meaning and the limits of reduction, responsibility and disorder

Through close, guided reading of classic philosophical texts, you will develop your interpretative skills and deepen your understanding of philosophical language and argumentation. The focus is on cultivating the ability to read and analyse challenging philosophical texts.

Create the theoretical and analytical foundation for your future study and work in public policy. This module will give you a solid grounding in the theories of policymaking process, the critical actors and institutions involved, and the key concepts, traditions and paradigms that have shaped policymaking.

You will gain a solid grasp of the policy cycle and theories that explain the nature of policymaking including agenda setting, policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. You’ll examine a range of public policy theories and apply these approaches to real world case studies including:

• Mainstream approaches such as institutionalism, new public management and evidence-based policymaking
• Broader theoretical approaches such as multi-level governance and complexity
• Critical policy studies examined through the lens of power - drawing on a range of gender and anti-racist approaches

You will identify the actors and factors that shape policy, discover the causes of policy convergence and policy change, and assess what equitable, fair and just policies look like.