Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What you'll study

The programme combines core coursework in political science with advanced training in research design and quantitative methods. Typical subject areas include comparative politics, international relations, political economy, public policy, political behaviour, formal theory and causal inference. Students take a mixture of seminars and methodological classes that may cover econometrics, statistics for social science, experiments and survey methods, game theory, and spatial or network analysis.

Structure is research-led: students complete foundational courses, choose a field specialisation, and pursue independent research under faculty supervision. Curricula commonly include a substantial research paper or thesis and opportunities to participate in faculty-led projects, labs or fieldwork. Interdisciplinary options are available through collaboration with departments and centres such as economics, urban studies, the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS) and the Centre for International Studies.

Entry requirements

Admissions require a strong undergraduate degree in political science or a related discipline (economics, sociology, mathematics, statistics, public policy or international relations). Applicants are expected to demonstrate quantitative proficiency—evidence might include coursework in statistics, calculus or econometrics, programming experience, or prior research using data.

Typical application materials include a personal statement outlining research interests and fit with the department, an academic CV, official transcripts, sample(s) of written academic work, and letters of recommendation from academic or research supervisors. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency in line with institutional requirements. The department looks for evidence of analytical ability, quantitative training, and preparedness for independent research.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a range of careers in academia, policy, government and the private sector. Common pathways include doctoral study and university research, research roles at think tanks and NGOs, policy analysis in government or international organisations, and consulting or data analysis positions in the private sector. The programme's quantitative and empirical emphasis also prepares graduates for roles in applied data science, program evaluation, and research units within foundations and multilateral institutions.

Why study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT's political science training is distinguished by its strong emphasis on rigorous empirical and formal methods and close links with quantitative centres across the Institute. Students benefit from access to a vibrant research environment, interdisciplinary collaborations with economics, computer science, urban studies and data-science institutes, and faculty who are active in high-impact research on political behaviour, institutions and international relations.

Additional advantages include opportunities to work on faculty-led research projects, engagement with policy communities through affiliated centres, and a campus culture that supports methodological breadth—from experimental and survey research to formal modelling and big-data analysis. This environment is particularly well suited to students aiming for research-intensive careers or roles that require advanced analytic skills applied to political and policy problems.