Skip to main content

MA in Legislative Studies and Practice

Pathway diagram for MA in Legislative Studies and Practice

The Convenor for this degree is Professor Rick Wilford  who can be contacted for further information.

Parliament Stormont Buildings
Parliament Stormont Buildings

This new and innovative programme provides unique opportunities to combine academic study of contemporary politics with extensive practical knowledge of the workings of a legislative assembly. Generously supported by student bursaries provided by the Assembly Commission of the Northern Ireland Assembly ,  it draws on supervised work placements, expert teaching and independent research to produce uniquely qualified postgraduates. The programme serves as a perfect 'stepping stone' to a variety of careers, notably in the civil service, in politics, and in political consultancy, as well as further research. 

European Parliament
European Parliament

With a particular regional focus the programme examines both the politics of Northern Ireland and the workings of the Northern Ireland Assembly and provides students with direct working experience of this unique political body. Combining taught elements on the politics of Northern Ireland and on the European Union it also develop students’ knowledge of the historical and political contexts – regional, national and European – in which the Northern Ireland Assembly operates and exposes them to many of the contemporary challenges facing regional and European governance.

Plenary Session of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Plenary Session of the Northern Ireland Assembly

The programme provides students with the opportunity to utilize and enhance the analytical, intellectual and communication skills developed in the taught modules and placement through the completion of their own advanced-level research project focusing on either a practical aspect of the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly or a more academic study of the Assembly in comparative perspective.

European Council Meeting, Brussels, December 2008
European Council Meeting, Brussels, December 2008

The School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy at Queen’s University Belfast, which enjoys a considerable depth of staff expertise on politics in Northern Ireland and on European governance and has considerable experience of facilitating work-based learning and organizing placements, is offering the programme in cooperation with the Assembly Commission of the Northern Ireland Assembly which has generously made available bursaries to support students enrolled the programme. The bursaries  will cover the equivalent of home/EU fees and include maintenance support in the region of £8,500.

Applicants for the programme should possess a 2:1 (or equivalent) honours degree at undergraduate level in, as appropriate, Politics, European Studies, International Studies, Philosophy or a cognate subject area.  In line with University Regulations there is a language requirement for applicants whose first language is not English (IELTS 6.5 or approved equivalent).

The deadline for applications is Friday 24th May 2013. Short-listed applicants for the programme will be interviewed. The date for the interviews will be confirmed later.