Master of Arts in Social and Political Thought

at University of Warwick United Kingdom

The taught MA courses provide an overview of the scope of the visual and material culture of the ancient world, the ways in which it might be studied, and the questions that can be asked of it.

The core module gives you an awareness of historiography and methodological issues affecting the study of the material culture of the ancient world as well as inviting you to consider the ways in which its study can contribute to our picture of antiquity.

Optional modules allow you to develop your interests in particular aspects of the subject (art, epigraphy, numismatics, or an approved external option) in more depth, while a core language component provides the linguistic skills necessary to conduct further research.

This MA provides a thorough preparation in research techniques if you are considering further research in the fields of art, numismatics or epigraphy, or are working on an historical topic that involves the consideration of material evidence. It will also provide a detailed understanding of ancient visual and material culture to prepare you if you are aiming to enter a career in museums and curatorial work, or in education.

This MA also provides a solid basis for independent research, and often leads students to engage in MPhil/PhD studies in Ancient Visual and Material Culture.

Skills from this degree

The degree is designed to introduce you to major issues in the study of ancient material culture, and to key methodologies and approaches. It will help to develop your intellectual skills in the following areas:

• Ability to select and respond to particular methodological approaches when dealing with material culture
• Understanding of the ways in which material culture has been studied since antiquity
• Ability to present a structured chain of argument drawing together evidence into a cohesive whole
• Ability to select and apply appropriate problem-solving methodologies
• Ability to conduct independent research and analysis

It will also help to develop the following key transferable skills:

• Written and oral communication skills
• Organisational Skills
• Ability to evaluate intellectual progress
• IT skills – word processing

Taught by expert staff from the English and Comparative Literary Studies and Theatre and Performance Studies departments, this course emphasises the relationship between writer, text, performer, critic, playing place and society within a historical, political and cultural context. You will have many opportunities to see a diverse range of productions at the world-renowned theatres at nearby Stratford-upon-Avon and on-campus at Warwick Arts Centre.

Theatre modules examine developments in theatrical theory and practice: they focus on plays related to theatrical and political history to emphasise how past movements have shaped the theatre of the present. English Literature modules focus on the close study of literary texts from the classical period to the present, exploring politics, form, and meaning. You will learn to understand and critically analyse texts, and to present persuasive and coherent written and oral arguments while developing independent thought, judgment, and creativity.

Study abroad

As a student of our English degrees, you will have the opportunity to spend your third year at one of our partner institutions in the USA, Europe, China, Australia, or Japan. You will then return to Warwick to complete the fourth and final year of your degree.

You will be able to apply to transfer to the four-year course when you are in your second year at Warwick, subject to the availability of places from the University's International Office.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, a cyber physical age, will be realised over the next 20 years.

This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to be at the forefront of these exciting developments and is delivered in partnership with WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group), renowned worldwide for its innovative links between academia and industry.

All Engineering students at Warwick develop an in-depth understanding of the classical principles of Engineering by following a general engineering programme for the first four terms. You can then specialise in Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering, where you will learn and develop state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies that graduates find directly applicable in industry.

Study abroad

You may choose to take an intercalated year in industry, research or study abroad between years two and three (BEng and MEng) or between years three and four (MEng only). If you choose to take an intercalated year this will be reflected in your degree title, and add a year to your degree programme.

Mechanical systems, mechanisms and machines lie at the heart of our traditional engineering industries, and the skills and techniques associated with them continue to be essential.

In recent years, these skills have extended into areas such as precision engineering, nanotechnology and mechatronics, as mechanical engineers have broadened their abilities and embraced technologies from other disciplines to solve difficult problems.

We provide opportunities to learn from world-leading researchers at the School of Engineering and WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group) in areas such as precision mechanics, fluid dynamics and sustainable thermal energy technology, as well as complementary areas in other fields of engineering.

Study abroad

You may choose to take an intercalated year in industry, research or study abroad between years two and three (BEng and MEng) or between years three and four (MEng only). If you choose to take an intercalated year this will be reflected in your degree title, and add a year to your degree program.

Our Biological Sciences course spans the entire scale of biological systems, from molecules to ecosystems. Our exceptionally wide range of options allows you to choose modules that are best suited to your interests and career ambitions.

You will be exposed to cutting-edge research in molecular, cellular and whole organism biology, while covering applications of science to major global challenges such as environmental management, food security and human health.

Our four-year MBio gives you the opportunity to undertake an extended final-year research project in industry.

Neuroscience is the discipline that encompasses the study of the brain and nervous system in health and disease. This degree course is designed for students who wish to develop a greater understanding of the most complex and enigmatic of organs.

With the knowledge and practical experience gained on this course, you will be able to develop a career in neuroscience and human health. Careers could include academic research, laboratory services, pharmaceutical drug discovery or clinical trials. Alternatively, you may wish to pursue a career in employment sectors that appreciate the value of a solid understanding of scientific principles, methods and approaches.

Our four-year MBio gives you the opportunity to undertake an extended final-year research project in-house.

This course offers training in the foundations of psychology, decision-making, and behavioural economics. It will also develop your understanding of state-of-the-art methods in data science and data analytics, focusing on statistical methods, machine learning, and data visualisation.

You will gain an understanding of large-scale patterns in data, with an eye to comprehending the underlying factors driving human behaviour. This can be used to understand economics, politics, history, wellbeing, and many other large-scale patterns at national and international levels. Previous experience in behavioural science is not necessary, but you should have basic programming skills in at least one programming language.

Skills from this degree

Graduates will be able to:

• Use data to understand how and why people make the choices they do, and understanding the consequences of their choices in relation to public policy (e.g. encouraging people to save for pensions or change to low-carbon behaviours), industry (e.g. understanding how to place a new product in the market), and individual behaviour (e.g. understanding why people drink and eat too much)
• Access and analyse large-scale datasets
• Utilise state-of-the-art techniques in data analysis and visualisation
• Design and conduct studies using data analysis to understand behaviour

By branching into medicinal chemistry you will apply your chemical knowledge to the discovery, design and synthesis of new drugs for clinical use. This degree provides a solid foundation in chemistry coupled with specialist knowledge in advanced medicinal chemistry/biochemistry.

Specialist modules will explore the process of medicinal drug discovery, starting from the initial concept of a new product, to the discovery stage, clinical trials, scale-up, and production. You can explore the biochemistry of these processes, and how this leads to medical breakthroughs. In addition to research-led teaching from top academics in their field, you will benefit from external lectures given by pharmaceutical industry leaders.

The ability to communicate and express yourself confidently in more than one language is a vital skill for any Global Citizen.

A degree in Hispanic Studies and Global Sustainable Development (GSD) provides you with the unique opportunity to develop your Spanish speaking skills and confront critical challenges, including social justice and climate change facing the Hispanic world.

You will undergo a rigorous development of your language skills and explore Hispanic cultures with the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. Throughout the three years, this programme strikes a positive balance between language modules and cultural modules.

Our students are aspiring global citizens with social consciences. They’re flexible, adaptable and broad-minded.

By studying GSD, you’ll take a transdisciplinary approach and confront issues from a diverse array of perspectives. You will need to be ready to think creatively and embrace new opinions from your peers from across the world. We will challenge you to become an active participant in your own learning.

You can enhance your skills and studies through optional work placements, study abroad, and certificates.

Study abroad

We encourage you to take the opportunity to study abroad during your course at Warwick.

• Enjoy the freedom to take chances with your module choices.
• Push yourself outside of your comfort zone with your learning.
• You may have the opportunity to learn a new language and immerse yourself in a new learning context.

The MA in Critical and Cultural Theory will equip you with the analytical tools and concepts to respond to, understand, theorise, and critique the literary and cultural artefacts of the modern world. In the dedicated core module, you will immerse yourself in fundamental theoretical questions through individual reading and collective discussion.

You can also choose from a wide range of modules that span a variety of critical perspectives and approaches to literary studies, and grapple with the ideas of some of the great critical thinkers. You will also write a dissertation on an (approved) topic of your choice with a specialised supervisor.