Politics/Psychology

Politics and psychology together provide a multidisciplinary framework for understanding human behaviour at both the individual and collective levels, connecting the inner life of the mind to the structures of power and governance that shape social existence. Politics studies how power and influence are distributed within societies and how this affects decision-making within and among countries, examining political institutions, ideologies, elections, public policy, and international relations. Psychology examines how individuals think, feel, make decisions, and behave, and how social, cultural, and situational factors shape those processes.

At the University of Glasgow this four-year MA programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study in another country and to develop the international perspective that both disciplines benefit from. You will develop rigorous analytical skills in both politics and psychology, engaging with the theory of political systems alongside empirical research on political behaviour, public opinion, and the psychology of leadership, persuasion, and group dynamics. The combination is particularly productive in areas such as electoral behaviour, political communication, conflict resolution, and the psychology of prejudice and social division, which are central to understanding contemporary political life.

Graduates from politics and psychology programmes work in a wide range of careers where understanding both power and people is essential. Politics offers pathways into the civil service, political parties, policy research, journalism, international organisations, NGOs, and law. Psychology opens doors in human resources, organisational development, market research, healthcare, education, and counselling (with further training).

The combination is particularly valued in communications, political consulting, behavioural public policy, and research. Further study at postgraduate level in political psychology, political science, social psychology, or public policy is a natural next step for those with an appetite for advanced work.