Why should we obey the law? Why don鈥檛 democratic countries go to war with each other? Why don鈥檛 young people vote? Why do oil-rich countries have poor human rights records? These are the kinds of questions addressed in our Graduate Diploma in Politics, which provides a thorough training in all major areas of political science and is based in the top politics department in the country.
Our Graduate Diploma in Politics is a nine-month full-time course which provides a bridge between undergraduate and postgraduate study. Our course is for you if you already have an undergraduate degree, but not in politics, and therefore need further study before taking politics at master鈥檚 level.
You develop your knowledge and understanding of the major theoretical and conceptual foundations of political science and master the necessary quantitative methods for your study of politics.
Your future
All Essex politics graduates have the distinction of a qualification from one of the world鈥檚 leading politics departments.
As well as enabling you to go on to a master鈥檚 course of your choice in politics, this course will also develop key employability skills including analytical reasoning, research design, quantitative methods, data analysis and essay-writing.
Our graduates go on to enjoy influential careers in British, European, and international politics. This includes working as an MP, being the Speaker of the House of Commons and employment as political lobbyists or staff assistants to MPs and MEPs.
Our graduates have also gone on to work for the following high-profile organisations:
Our academic reputation is illustrated by the fact that many of our graduates now teach or research at universities, colleges of higher education and schools. For example, recent graduates are now research fellows and academic staff at: Mannheim, Germany; ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Duke University, USA; NATO/SHAPE, Belgium; and University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
September 2025
Colchester Campus
University of Essex,
Wivenhoe Park,
Colchester,
Essex,
CO4 3SQ, CENTRAL ENGLAND, England
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
At Essex, students learn to think differently, find new ways of doing things and adopt new techniques for solving problems.
Help me Apply
