Prospective Student Enquiries
Tel: +44 (0) 141 444 8600
studywithus-hass@strath.ac.uk

Other Enquiries
Tel: +44 (0) 141 548 2733
hass-courses-gov@strath.ac.uk

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Undergraduate

Study Politics & International Relations as part of our flexible graduate BA.

Postgraduate taught

We offer a variety of one-year MSc programs in Politics, International Relations and Public Policy.

Postgraduate research

Study a PhD or MPhil within the department ranked 1st in the UK for research.
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Our research centres

Learn more about the world class research emerging from the European Policies Research Centre and the Centre for Energy Policy.

Our people

Academics contributing world-leading research across the department.

About the department

More about our ethos, teaching and accolades.

Our departments

In numbers

  • 1st
    in REF2021 for Politics research
    (Times Higher Education)
  • 5th
    in the UK for Politics
    (The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
  • 8th
    in the UK for Politics
    (Guardian University Guide 2025)

Unparalleled insight into what shapes our world

The Department of Government and Public Policy combines world-class teaching and research that explore political systems and institutions throughout the world and how they inter-relate. Graduates leave our programmes with a thorough and nuanced understanding of political science, policymaking and practical approaches to political problems.

Our graduates also gain transferable skills in research and analysis and go on to pursue careers in government, civil service, consultancy firms, banks, NGOs, SMEs and start-ups. Others find our courses ideal preparation for doctoral research and careers in academia. 

The foundation of our work is a vigorous research culture. Our Research Excellence Framework 2021 submission was the highest-rated in the UK, with 62% of research rated world-leading and 100% of the impact rated outstanding.

 

Our students

MSc Public Policy student Josh Box

Josh Box

MSc Public Policy

Staff and lecturers always go out of their way to help, whether face-to-face, through Skype or e-mail. Student support services are also very good, as are the finance department who have given me invaluable support and advice.
Kusum Vishwakarma PhD Politics student

Kusum Vishwakarma

PhD Politics

The department follows an excellent interdisciplinary approach of combining ideas and practical knowledge with real world engagement. It has an impressive setup with different Centres functioning in collaboration which definitely enhances the overall experience.
MSc International Relations student Sarah Finlay

Sarah Finley

MSc International Relations

I have been greatly impressed with the specialist knowledge held by each of my lecturers and tutors. Not only did they provide great lectures and seminars, they were also highly approachable and easy to talk to.

Latest news

£1.5million project to investigate relationship between politicians and wealth inequality

3 April 2024

Dr Despina Alexiadou will work as part of an interdisciplinary team of academics based in Brazil, Germany and South Africa investigating the political mechanisms of the reproduction of wealth.

Strathclyde academic secures €1.4million EU grant to study risks in digital campaigning

5 December 2023

Dr Gabriela Borz will lead DIGIEFFECT, a three-year research initiative to evaluate the effectiveness of EU regulation in reducing online misinformation, disinformation and malinformation.

Four PhD opportunities with the Centre of Energy Policy

25 October 2023

Apply now for funded doctorates exploring the low carbon hydrogen market, decarbonisaton, fuel poverty and transport poverty or energy efficiency.