Political science (MA)
Admissions
Learn everything you need to know about becoming a UVic grad student, from finding a supervisor to submitting your application.
The application deadline for Canadian and international applicants is January 15.
Funding
Every year, UVic awards $12 million to help fund graduate students through a combination of:
- UVic fellowships and awards
- teaching assistantships
- research assistantships
Most of our students also receive external awards and scholarships, and financial aid and bursaries. Consideration for funding is automatic. A funding offer is normally included with an offer of admission.
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 focused well
- pursue careers in policy analysis, diplomacy, journalism, social activism, policy advocacy or public service
Program planning
Both the thesis and the major research paper options are designed to be completed in one year. Get program details including choosing your courses and program approval.
Courses
POLI 508/608: Comparative Politics Field Seminar
Instructor: Dr. Oliver Schmidtke
Schedule: Thursdays 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
POLI 512: Migration, Nationalism and Identity in Asia
Cross-listed with POLI 412
Instructor: Dr. Feng Xu
Schedule: Fridays 1 - 4 p.m.
POLI 523: Neoliberal Canada
Cross-listed with POLI 423 and CSPT 500
Instructor: Dr. Justin Leifso
Schedule: Thursdays 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
POLI 525: Politics of Global Challenges
Instructor: Dr. Michelle Bonner
Schedule: Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
POLI 533 A01: Issues in Politics "Techology and World Politics"
Cross-listed with POLI 433
Instructor: Dr. Colin Chia
Schedule: Wednesdays 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
POLI 533 A02: Issues in Politics "Minorities and Majorities"
Cross-listed with POLI 433 A02
Instructor: Dr. Avigail Eisenberg
Schedule: Fridays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
POLI 540/640: International Relations Field Seminar
Instructor: Dr. Scott Watson
Schedule: Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
POLI 598 A01 Major Research Paper 6.0 units
POLI 599 A01 MA Thesis 9.0 units
POLI 693 A01 PhD Candidacy Examination 3.0
POLI 699 A01 PhD Dissertation 30.0 units
POLI 501: Advanced Topics in Political Theory "Race and Capitalism"
Cross-listed with POLI 401 and CSPT 500
Instructor: Dr. Mara Marin
Schedule: Fridays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
POLI 505/605: Problems of Political Analysis
Instructor: Dr. Justin Leifso
Schedule: Tuesdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
POLI 516/616: Canadian Politics Field Seminar
Instructor: Dr. Jamie Lawson
Schedule: Mondays 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
POLI 533 A01: Issues in Politics: "Memory and Democracy"
Cross-listed with POLI 433
Instructor: Dr. Matt James
Schedule: Wednesdays 1 - 4 p.m.
POLI 533 A03: Issues in Politics: "Rethinking International Development"
Cross-listed with POLI 426
Instructor: Dr. Marlea Clarke
Thursdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
POLI 563: Indigenous Lands and Bodies
Cross-listed with POLI 463 and CSPT 500
Instructor: Dr. Kelly Aguirre
Schedule: Thursdays 1 - 4 p.m.
POLI 598 A01 Major Research Paper 6.0 units
POLI 599 A01 MA Thesis 9.0 units
POLI 693 A01 PhD Candidacy Examination 3.0
POLI 699 A01 PhD Dissertation 30.0 units
Co-op
UVic is home to the largest co-op graduate program in Canada. Learn about combining co-op placements with your MA on the co-op for graduate students website.
Grad students are also eligible for the shorter work experience program.
Politics of global challenges stream
Explore critical global challenges in migration, surveillance and democracy while earning your master's degree in one year with our Politics of Global Challenges MA stream.
Hands-on learning
Legislative internship program
The BC Legislative Internship Program lets Canadian university graduates observe the daily workings of the Legislature first-hand and assist Members of the Legislative Assembly during the parliamentary session.
The program is open to BC residents who have a recent bachelor’s degree from a Canadian university. Application deadline: January 31. Contact: Dr. Justin Leifso.
Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI)
Graduate students in political science working on issues related to countries in the Asia-Pacific region or Commonwealth (other than Canada) may be eligible to apply for internships and fellowships offered by CAPI. See the CAPI website for details.