BASS Politics and Data Analytics

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 80% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.

English language proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no individual component below 6.0.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 90.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 70.
• Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.

The University of Manchester offers a range of scholarships to support international students in funding their education and making their academic journey more accessible. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, support students from diverse backgrounds, and help ease the financial challenges of studying abroad.

Global Futures Scholarship: The Global Futures Scholarship is a prestigious award for international students who demonstrate academic excellence and potential. This scholarship offers a £5,000 contribution towards tuition fees, providing financial assistance for undergraduate and postgraduate students. This scholarship is open to students from specific countries and disciplines, so it is essential to check eligibility criteria and deadlines.

Undergraduate Scholarships: The university also offers various undergraduate scholarships for international students applying to programs such as law, business, engineering, and the humanities. These scholarships are based on academic achievement and help ease the burden of tuition fees. Some specific subject areas may have unique scholarships based on the department's needs and goals.

Subject-Specific Scholarships: Many departments at the University of Manchester offer subject-specific scholarships for students enrolling in their programs. For example, students applying for programs in engineering, business, life sciences, and the arts may be eligible for additional funding based on academic performance and their future potential. These scholarships are often offered to high-achieving students who demonstrate exceptional skills and dedication to their field of study.

Chevening Scholarships: The Chevening Scholarship is a fully-funded award provided by the UK government, open to outstanding international students from over 160 countries. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living costs, travel expenses, and other related costs. The University of Manchester is a proud participant in this global program and welcomes applications from students wishing to pursue a master's degree in a variety of disciplines.

Regional Scholarships: The university also offers regional scholarships for students from specific countries or regions, including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. These scholarships are designed to make studying at the University of Manchester more accessible to students from these regions and offer both partial and full financial support depending on the scholarship type.

Graduating from the BASS Politics and Data Analytics program at the University of Manchester equips students with an exceptional set of skills that combine the theoretical knowledge of political science with the practical expertise in data analysis. This multidisciplinary approach opens up numerous career opportunities in both political analysis and data science. Graduates can explore careers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. 

Political Data Analyst: Graduates can pursue roles as political data analysts, where they will analyze and interpret political data, public opinion trends, election results, and voter behavior. These professionals are essential for political campaigns, policy-making organizations, and research institutions. Data analysts often use programming languages such as Python or R to work with large datasets and produce actionable insights for political decision-making.

Policy Analyst: With strong training in both politics and data analytics, graduates can work as policy analysts, advising governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and think tanks on issues related to public policy. They use data-driven insights to evaluate and influence policy decisions, helping to shape government strategies in areas such as social justice, healthcare, and economics.

Political Campaign Strategist: Graduates can work as political campaign strategists, where they analyze voting patterns and demographic trends to develop targeted political strategies. They may work with political parties or candidates to design effective campaigns, utilizing data analytics to refine messaging, voter outreach efforts, and fundraising tactics.

Public Opinion Researcher: As public opinion researchers, graduates can work in market research firms, polling organizations, or media outlets, conducting surveys and analyzing public opinion on political, social, and economic issues. Their work helps shape political campaigns, public relations strategies, and business decisions.

Elections and Voting System Analyst: Graduates can work as election analysts or voting system experts, focusing on the use of data in elections. This includes assessing election integrity, analyzing voter trends, and using data science techniques to predict election outcomes and voter behavior patterns.

Data Scientist in Politics: Those with a strong inclination toward data science can pursue a career as a data scientist specializing in political data. These professionals use advanced machine learning algorithms, statistical analysis, and data mining techniques to analyze large datasets in the context of political events, election outcomes, and social movements.

Government and Public Sector: Graduates can join governmental organizations or public sector agencies that require expertise in both politics and data analytics. Roles may include working on projects related to public governance, policy impact assessment, and social research, where data plays a critical role in decision-making and implementation.

Consultant in Political Data Analysis: Many graduates move into consulting roles, advising clients on political strategy, governance, or election forecasting. As political data consultants, they provide insights to political parties, advocacy groups, or international organizations, helping them utilize data to achieve their objectives.

Journalist or Media Analyst: Graduates with an interest in media can work as political journalists or media analysts, specializing in the intersection of politics, data, and public perception. They report on political trends, analyze election data, and interpret the political landscape using statistical tools, often for news outlets or digital platforms.

International Organizations and NGOs: With a global perspective on politics, graduates can work in international organizations such as the United Nations, World Bank, or International Monetary Fund, focusing on the use of data analytics to solve global political and economic issues. In NGOs, they might contribute to research and policy advocacy, particularly in areas related to human rights, democracy promotion, and conflict resolution.