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Study Postgraduate

PAIS Double Degrees (2022 Entry)

About this taught graduate course

Course overview

You will need to submit two applications - one to each partner institution. This is true whether you start your degree at Warwick or study with us in Year Two. For questions regarding the application process, please go to our Postgraduate Enquiries page in the first instance.

Our suite of Double Degree programmes gives you the opportunity not only to study in PAIS at Warwick, but also with one of our renowned international partners. The Double Degree programmes enable you to follow one of our regular MA programmes for one year as well as a Master’s programme at a partner university for one year, culminating in a joint dissertation project (15,000 words). At some of our partners, there is also the possibility to undertake a practice-oriented final project with a written component. You will emerge with a Master’s from each university.

We have carefully selected our Double Degree partners according to their international reputation, standards of teaching and research, and the way in which their emphasis and approach complement the way we study politics and international studies here at Warwick. You will study your subject from two pedagogically and culturally different approaches, strengthening your academic versatility and enhancing your outlook and adaptability as a global citizen.

Our partner institutions

American University, Washington DC, USA (School of International Service (SIS))

This Double Master’s in Politics and International Service with American University gives you the chance to study at two internationally renowned Politics and International Studies departments on both sides of the Atlantic. The School of International Service (SIS) at American University ranks amongst the top 10 schools of international relations globally in 2020, according to Foreign Policy magazine.

Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (School of Media, Film and Journalism (MFJ))

If you're interested in entering the exciting intellectual crossroads of politics, international studies, and the media, then the Double Masters in Journalism, Politics and International Studies is the programme for you. Born from the Alliance between Warwick and Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, this programme partners our department with the School of Media, Film and Journalism, (MFJ), at Monash, in order to bridge the disciplinary connections between both subject areas.

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS))

The Warwick-NTU Double Masters Programme presents an innovative course of study offering the opportunity to live and study in two culturally diverse countries and regions. You will experience the best of both worlds in conceptual training, empirical relevance, and policy application, gaining an invaluable dual perspective.

Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain (Department of Political and Social Sciences)

Combine a year of study at Warwick with a year in Cataluña at two of Europe's leading politics departments, through either a Masters in Current Democracies or Masters of Political Philosophy offered jointly by Warwick and the Political and Social Sciences Department at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona.

University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany (Department of Politics and Public Administration)

Building on a strong history of staff and student exchange, Warwick and the University of Konstanz have created a Double MA in Politics and Public Administration. This collaborative programme combines our theoretical-analytical approach with the analytical-practical approach characteristic of the Politics and Public Administration Department at Konstanz.

University of Waterloo, Canada (Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA))

The Double MA in Global Governance draws upon the excellence in teaching and research of both PAIS and one of Canada's leading schools of international affairs. This Double Degree programme has a strong ability to promote vigorous engagement across boundaries of discipline and practice including internship opportunities.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium (Brussels School of Governance)

The Double Masters in Politics, International Studies and European Integration is the result of the growing partnership between the University of Warwick and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) as part of the Warwick in Europe initiative. PAIS has forged close links with the Brussels School of Governance (BSoG)Link opens in a new window at VUB to enable you to study in both the centre of England and the heart of Europe. BSoG is an alliance between the Institute for European Studies (VUB), which is a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence and a policy think tank that focuses on the European Union in an international setting, and Vesalius College. It is one of the largest EU and global governance knowledge hubs in Europe with an international staff of more than 200 people.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject.

Visit our PAIS web pages for department-specific advice on applying to ensure your application has the best chance for success.

Postgraduate FAQs (PAIS specific)

Postgraduate FAQs (General)

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

  • Band B
  • IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

The Double Degree programmes enable you to follow one of our regular MA programmes for one year as well as a Masters programme at a partner university for one year, culminating in a joint dissertation. You will emerge with a Masters from each university.

Explore the core modules of our MA programmes:

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

  • Transnational Justice and International Development
  • Citizenship, Migration and Cultural Diversity
  • East Asian Development Models
  • Contemporary Challenges in Global Economic Governance
  • The Global Food System
  • East Asian Development Policies
  • The Nuclear Question
  • Justice and Equality
  • Theories and Issues in International Political Economy
  • Secrecy and Spies: British Intelligence in the Modern World
  • Examining Rising World Powers
  • International Relations and Security of the Middle East
  • The Global Politics of Nuclear Weapons
  • Global Justice and Future Generations
  • Topics in Moral and Political Philosophy
  • Theories and Issues in International Development
  • Normative Analysis
  • Theories and Traditions in Public Policy
  • Comparing Rising World Powers
  • Issues and Cases in the Politics of International Trade
  • The CIA and Covert Action

The optional module lists are updated regularly.

You will have the freedom to select 2-4 modules from our extensive range of optional modules, up to a total of 120 CATS of taught modules.

Teaching

Modules are taught via one 2-hour seminar per week. Seminars give you the opportunity to interact with leading scholars as well as with your peers to explore a set topic each week. Every seminar will be based on extensive guided reading you will do each week, but there is no strict pattern to how sessions are run. This may include mini-lectures followed by discussion, Q&A sessions, organised debates, peer presentations, policy briefs, small group work, and other projects.

Part-time study

If you are working, or you have other responsibilities which make it difficult to commit to a full-time degree, then you can study your degree over two years, instead of one with a lower weekly commitment over the course of your degree. You can choose any of our MA programmes for this. If you choose to study part-time with us, you will have to complete 180 CATS worth of modules.

Year One

First year students take 80 CATS of modules:

  • 40 CATS core module
  • 40 CATS of optional modules (either one 40 CATS module or two 20 CATS modules with one running in term one and the other in term two)

Year Two

  • 40 CATS of optional modules (made up of either one 40 CATS module or two 20 CATS modules with one running in term one and the other in term two)
  • 60 CATS Dissertation

Part-time Politics, Big data and Quantitative Methods

Year One

First year students take 80 CATS of modules:

Year Two

  • 40 CATS of optional modules (made up of either one 40 CATS module or two 20 CATS modules with one running in term one and the other in term two)
  • 60 CATS Dissertation

Class sizes

Normally a maximum of 18 per seminar group in PAIS delivered modules.

Typical contact hours

During your time at Warwick, you will have 6 hours of Seminars per week for 9 weeks in Terms One and Two plus advice and feedback hours when requested and Dissertation supervision in Terms Two and Three.

Assessment

Assessment methods at Warwick include research essays and other (written) assignments throughout the year, culminating in a 10,000 word dissertation at the end.

Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules in a module pre-registration process about which you will receive information at the beginning of September.

Careers and employability

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including: Action Aid; World Bank; UN agencies; UK and other universities; Deloitte; Japan Ministry of Defence; Nationwide Building Society; and the UK Cabinet Office. They have pursued roles such as: communications officers for major INGOs, business and financial project management professionals; economists; finance officers; policy analysts and public services associate professionals.

Our Department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • Your future awaits - the many things you can do after your degree in the PAIS Department
  • Careers in Government and Politics
  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
  • After your PAIS Master’s – What Next?
  • Assessment Centres and Interviews: an overview of what to expect for PAIS students

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Taught course fees  Research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.

Additional course costs

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

PAIS Funding Opportunities

Find out more about the various funding opportunities that are available in our department.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Taught course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

Research course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

Join a live chat

Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

Warwick Hosted EventsLink opens in a new window

Our hosted events run throughout the year, with a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions. These events are a great way to learn more about our courses and departments, chat to current students and staff, and find out more information about accommodation, careers, and how to apply.

Postgraduate Fairs

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.

Live chats

Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.

Warwick Talk and Tours

A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.

9th in the UK
(The Guardian University Guide 2024)Link opens in a new window

67th in the world
(QS World University Rankings 2024)Link opens in a new window

6th most targeted university by the UK's top 100 graduate employersLink opens in a new window

(The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd.Link opens in a new window)

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2024 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.