This course offers you the opportunity to study Politics at an advanced and specialised level, emphasising the interplay between the national, regional and global arenas. The underpinning theme of the Politics Masters degree is participation - an issue that has, and looks likely to continue to be a key debate within political discourse. Throughout the course you will have the unique opportunity to explore this theme through combining academic research skills with a period of work-based learning – either through existing links you might have with an organisation / institution, or through links established throughout the course. NTU has a justified reputation among the UK's universities for the high level of employability of its graduates. While the primary aims of a university course have traditionally been intellectual in nature and specific to the subject(s) under study, NTU realises the importance of the role of higher education in training graduates to move into the labour market. The MA Politics will provide you with a range of ‘transferable skills' which will be essential to employment in a range of occupations, including: The ability for independent and critical thought; Analysing and evaluating complex and unfamiliar problems; Working to tight deadlines; Presenting your ideas with confidence and clarity both in writing and in speech, Working and learning collaboratively with peers from a range of personal, academic and national backgrounds. Alongside providing such transferable skills, we believe that the optional pathway through the Dissertation module will strongly enhance your employability skills and, more generally, the course's engagement with contemporary global issues – particularly those of participation, sustainability and citizenship – will ensure that your knowledge and ‘openness' to the wider world is up-to-date and relevant. During the course you will be encouraged to reflect critically on the subject-specific and transferable skills gained throughout, and in addition to discussing your ideas with the course team you will have the opportunity to consult NTU's comprehensive Employability and Careers Service.