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Global Governance and Ethics MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The economic, social and political benefits of good governance are high on the agenda of many world organisations. This MSc combines normative and empirical approaches to international justice, organisations and processes, and applies them to the analysis of global political institutions and policies.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£19,300
£9,650
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£31,100
£15,550
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

As a minimum, an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard; Applicants should ideally have a background in a social science subject (e.g., political science, economics), international relations, law, European studies, history, philosophy, or a related subject. Relevant practical or work experience in a related field may also be taken into account.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


Students of this MSc will benefit from research preparation and tailor-made interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary training of the highest quality at one of the world's best universities.

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for graduates with an interest in global governance, who wish to develop a career in this field, or use the MSc as a foundation for further research. Applicants should ideally have a background in European issues, international relations, law, philosophy, politics, history, or economics.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

UCL Political Science is recognised as a centre of excellence in the field and offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of global governance and ethics.

Weekly seminars offer students an unrivalled opportunity to meet and engage with some of the leading figures in the field. By the end of programme students will: 

  • Be aware of the variety of ethical issues raised by the structures of global rule, and the effects of globalisation, and normative questions of accountability and responsibility in international affairs.
  • Be equipped with the theoretical tools and empirical evidence necessary for an in-depth understanding of normative theories of international justice, democracy and public ethics, on the one hand, and of empirical theories and studies of globalisation, governance and international policy-making, on the other.
  • Possess the skills essential for the analytical study of politics and for the development of a normative assessment of the main issues currently facing the design of global institutions and policy making at the international level.

UCL Political Science offers a broad array of global governance-related expertise and teaching able to accommodate a wide scope of student interests within a university that has in recent years put emphasis on governance issues, such as global health.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Most students choose the MSc as the foundation for a career in intergovernmental institutions; in central, regional or local government; in NGOs, business, lobby groups, charities and public affairs, and for funded PhD study.

Employability

Our students receive excellent training to think critically and creatively. Through our methods training students also possess sophisticated skills in demand by employers in the public and private sector as well as the skills necessary for further academic study.

Networking

Students will meet leading academics and experts within this field of study. Opportunities are widened by university societies.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars, and is taught by scholars that have institution, policy or country-specific knowledge and have carried out theoretical and empirical research in the field.

Assessment is through examinations, long essays and the dissertation.

150 hours is allocated to each 15 credit module. This includes 20 contact hours and 130 study hours.

Modules

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. You can personalise your programme to your own academic or professional interests. There are two compulsory modules, which provide in depth knowledge of the study of global governance and the ethical challenges it raises. You will take additional two methods modules, in qualitative and quantitative methods, which qualifies you to conduct independent research. You will choose additional three optional modules from a wide range of modules that are offered in the department on a range of issues in international and political science and theory. Finally, you will write a dissertation.

The programme structure for part-time students follows the same structure as our full-time students. We do encourage our part-time students to distribute their study evenly between the two years of study. The majority of part-time students opt for one of the following patterns:

  • 75 credits in year one and 105 credits in year two;

Or

  •  90 credits in year one and 90 credits in year two.

Upon completion you will have undertaken modules to the value of 180 credits, comprising three compulsory modules of in depth knowledge of the study of global governance and the ethical challenges it raises. and a dissertation. You will have further attended elective module(s) so you can personalise your programme of study to your own academic or professional interests.

Compulsory modules





Optional modules










Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Global Governance and Ethics.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £19,300 £9,650
Tuition fees (2024/25) £31,100 £15,550

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

All full-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £1,000 for this programme. All part-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £500.

There are no additional costs for this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Aziz Foundation Scholarships in Social and Historical Sciences

Value: Full tuition fees (equivalent to 1yr full-time) (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

GREAT Scholarship

Deadline: 14 May 2024
Value: £10,000 towards tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Global Governance and Ethics at graduate level
  • why you want to study Global Governance and Ethics at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging and truly international academic environment
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

When it is necessary to calculate a final average mark, the department will calculate all years of undergraduate study.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Political Science
Political Science

polsci.admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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