Master of Arts in Politics and International Relations (US Politics) Keele University, UK

With a GDP of $20.93 trillion and military budget of $778 billion in 2020, the United States (US) has the world’s largest economy and by far the biggest defense spend. This, coupled with its strong international and military alliances, gives the Presidency a level of political and economic influence that makes it arguably the most powerful country in the world.

Domestic political division, competition and corruption, however, has led to frustration among the American public. As rivals China and Russia make a play for power, while Washington DC and the statehouses struggle to do the same, never has there been a more exciting time to study US politics.

There is an increasing demand in government, non-profits and academia for professionals skilled in politics and international relations – two subject specialisms in which Keele has enjoyed a longstanding reputation for teaching and research excellence.

International relations has been taught here for over 50 years, founded by Professor Alan James, one of the first chairs of the British International Studies Association. While some of the best known political scientists in the UK and Europe have worked at Keele since the 1950s, including Samuel Finer, Jean Blondel, Hugh Berrington and Jack Hayward.

The flexible structure of our suite of MA/MRes Politics and International Relations programmes provides a high degree of focus, enabling you to engage with specific issues and carry out research into subjects of interest and relevance. You can build a tailored, systematic programme of study, choosing from our diverse collection of four different pathways – in Global Security, Politics, US Politics and International Relations – as well as a wide range of module choices. We also offer an MSc in International Diplomacy.

On this US Politics pathway, you can explore the differences between East and West in more depth, considering the structures, ideologies, influences and processes that affect national governance, politics, public policy, culture and society. You can dig deeper into the past and present ‘POTUS’ personalities, their highs and lows, perceived failures, and why the US presidential elections captivate public interest around the world.