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MA Government Studies

Our central government-partnered programme blends the theory and practice of working at the heart of British Government.

How Government Really Works

In September 2024, the Strand Group will unveil its first full Masters Programme. The ‘MA in Government Studies’ will provide an unrivalled insight into the inner workings of British Government.  The Programme will represent a unique, world class educational experience led by practitioners and leading academics. 

Taught by Practitioners

The MA will be delivered by renowned practitioners such as former shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls; The Independent’s Chief Political Commentator, John Rentoul; and the Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit under Tony Blair, Sir Michael Barber. Teaching practitioners will be joined by stellar guests.  Every year since 2017 we’ve brought a former Prime Minister to engage with our students, offering unparalleled access to the minds behind pivotal decisions. Tony Blair, David Cameron, Theresa May, and Gordon Brown have all shared their insights with students on our modules. We’ve also welcomed a host of notable speakers, including George Osborne, Alastair Campbell, Anji Hunter, Baroness Jay and many more distinguished personalities.

Why is our programme unique?

Delivered in partnership with central government

Develop an understanding of the policy-making process from the viewpoint of those who work in government, including political, societal and economic challenges.

A bespoke programme

A true cohort approach with small group tutorials utilising a case study method. Learning from the past and understanding how decisions are made in practice, from the practitioners, is the hall-mark of this course.

Take the full masters or standalone modules

MA Programme is designed for full time, part-time and as part of a stackable portfolio. You will study alongside officials working at the heart of government. Students will build their networks and enhance their career opportunities.

Core modules

These modules, partnered with No.10 Downing Street examines how British Prime Ministers governed in the years 1945 – the present day. Classes take place within No. 10 Downing Street itself, and guest speakers have included former Prime Ministers Tony Blair, David Cameron and Theresa May.
  • #1
     60 credits

    Prime Ministers & No.10 Downing Street

    These two modules, run in partnership with No. 10 Downing Street, examine how British Prime Ministers governed in the years 1945 – to the present day.

Optional modules

Alongside core modules partnered with No.10 Downing Street, students can also take a range of optional modules.
  • optional module
    #3
     15 credits

    Chancellors and the Treasury: Managing the British Economy 

    ‘Chancellors and the Treasury: Managing the British Economy’ is the result of a unique collaboration between His Majesty’s Treasury the Policy Institute at King’s and the Strand Group. It studies the role and actions of the Treasury and its Chancellors since the Second World War up to the present day, through the context of the British economy.

  • optional module
    #4
     15 credits

    The New Labour Years: The Blair Brown Revolution

    The module considers the New Labour governments from a historical perspective, tracing changes and themes across the thirteen years of Tony Blair’s and Gordon Brown’s premierships, using the rigour of the historical method. Special attention is given to the memoirs and diaries of the central protagonists, and a high-profile range of guests allow students to truly interrogate their sources face-to-face. 

  • optional module
    #5
     15 credits

    London: Governing the Global City

    This module explores the recent history and government of London.

  • optional module
    #6
     15 credits

    The Conservative Years: Governing in an Age of Turmoil

    The Conservative Years is a brand-new module, building on the successful approach of ‘New Labour in Government’, and bringing its focus into even more ultra-contemporary historical study.

  • optional module
    #7
     15 credits

    The History of The Civil Service: Evolution of the Machinery of Government

    This innovative new module, in partnership with the Cabinet Office, focuses on the evolution of the British Civil Service and how its role has developed alongside the changing role of the state. World wars, the creation of the welfare state, as well as technological, economic and societal change has carved new functions and expectations of what government is there to do.

  • optional module
    #8
     15 credits

    Making Modern Britain: Pivotal Prime Ministerial Decisions

    This unique new module focuses on the pivotal moments for Prime Ministers, using case studies to examine the decision making process.

Semester 1

(September – December)		Semester 2

(January – April)		Semester 3

(May – August)
Prime Ministers & No.10 Downing Street 1945-79Prime Ministers & No.10 Downing Street since 1979Final Research project
Chancellors and the Treasury: Managing the British Economy The New Labour Years: The Blair Brown Revolution
London: Governing the Global CityThe Conservative Years: Governing in an Age of Turmoil
The History of The Civil Service: Evolution of the Machinery of GovernmentMaking Modern Britain: Pivotal Prime Ministerial Decisions

Final research project

30% of the final mark comes from a primary source research project. It can be a true history dissertation advised by one of the academic staff, or an up-to-date research project overseen by world-leading ‘delivery’ expert Prof Sir Michael Barber

Apply now on the King’s College website

Prospective students can find more information and apply for the programme here

Start your application

Standalone modules

Our modules are taken on a standalone basis by government departments and businesses. This can suit officials who only have time or funding to take one module, rather than the whole MA.

To talk to us about this for your institution please email martin.stolliday@kcl.ac.uk

More information

  • Teaching approach
    Our fusion of academia and real-world expertise has been the cornerstone of the Policy Institute’s approach and the Strand Group’s success for over three decades.
  • Studentships
    The MA in Government Studies has a strong social mobility focus, with places provided on the programme from businesses such as Amazon Web Services and others.
  • Careers
    The Programme is specially designed with student career paths in mind. We will focus on improving student knowledge, attributes and skills so alumni can flourish in a variety of roles.

Link into Professional training

The Strand Group also provides bespoke training opportunities for government departments and businesses

Find out more
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…events so far. Our events feature figures from government, business, journalism and academia to shed light on contemporary political challenges.
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