Political Science (MA)
Our MA program in political science will develop your analytical capacities, theoretical understanding and research skills.
You’ll engage in coursework as you research and write an original thesis or major research paper. You can focus your research on a variety of topics such as Indigenous land claims and treaty rights, social movements, privacy and surveillance, democracy and international law.
You have the option of combining this program with the interdisciplinary Cultural, Social and Political Thought MA or the graduate certificate in Indigenous Nationhood.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 years (3-6 academic terms) | Yes | Yes |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Master's
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
Graduates with an MA in Political Science will:
- have demonstrated analytical capacities, theoretical understanding and research skills necessary for further work as a political scientist
- have demonstrated a degree of mastery over a body of scholarship within the discipline
- have shown they can apply that knowledge to a study that they have defined and focussed well
- pursue careers in policy analysis, diplomacy, journalism, social activism, policy advocacy or public service
Find a supervisor
All graduate students must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. When you apply:
- you are advised to list a potential supervisor on your application
- one faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission
To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you've found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.
Amy Verdun
Professor, FRSC Comparative politics, European integration, political economy
Accepting graduate students
Andrew Wender
Teaching Professor; Director, Religion, Culture and Society Program Political theory, politics and religion, politics of the Middle East
Avigail Eisenberg
Professor Democratic theory, normative political theory, history of ideas (19th-20thC), pluralism, identity politics
Accepting graduate students
Colin Chia
Assistant Professor International relations, political economy, technology governance
Accepting graduate students
Feng Xu
Professor and Chair Comparative politics, gender, migration and citizenship, Global South (East Asia)
Accepting graduate students
Jamie Lawson
Associate Professor Canadian politics, political economy, environmental politics
Accepting graduate students
Justin Leifso
Assistant Professor Canadian politics, Canadian public policy, neoliberalism
Accepting graduate students
Kelly Aguirre
Assistant Professor Indigenous politics, decolonial and critical theory
Accepting graduate students
Lois Harder
Professor & Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences Citizenship law, social policy, regulation of intimate life
Accepting graduate students
Mara Marin
Associate Professor Political theory, feminist theory, critical race theory, critiques of capitalism
Accepting graduate students
Marlea Clarke
Associate Professor Comparative politics, political economy of development, Global South (Africa), workers’ rights in commodity chains
Accepting graduate students
Matt James
Associate Professor Reparations, social memory, social movements, transitional justice
Accepting graduate students
Michelle Bonner
Professor; Director, Latin American Studies Program Comparative politics, democracy, human rights, global south (Latin America)
Accepting graduate students
Oliver Schmidtke
Professor Citizenship and immigration, European integration
Accepting graduate students
Scott Watson
Professor, Undergraduate Director and Honours Adviser International relations theory, securitization, migration
Accepting graduate students
Simon Glezos
Associate Professor, Graduate Director Political theory, international relations theory, theories of the state
Accepting graduate students
Will Greaves
Associate Professor, Undergraduate Director and Honours Adviser Global security, international relations, Arctic politics, Canadian foreign policy, environmental politics
Program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Program details
Application deadlines
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
It’s preferable if your bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) is in political science.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a 1-2 page statement of intent which:
- includes a brief summary of the your prior education and experience
- indicates the field(s) of political science you want to specialize in
- discusses one or two possible thesis topics
- explains how your application relates to your long-term goals
- a writing sample
- two reference names and their email addresses
- post-secondary transcripts
Program specific requirements
It’s preferable if your bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) is in political science.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a 1-2 page statement of intent which:
- includes a brief summary of the your prior education and experience
- indicates the field(s) of political science you want to specialize in
- discusses one or two possible thesis topics
- explains how your application relates to your long-term goals
- a writing sample
- two reference names and their email addresses
- post-secondary transcripts
Completion requirements
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
Related programs
Need help?
Contact Rachel Richmond at rachrich@uvic.ca or 250-721-7486.