Universities Offering Masters in Political Science: Rankings, Fees & Details

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is among the leading educational centers in the world. This university is located in the city of Cambridge in the US state of Massachusetts. Massachusetts is the most populous state in the New England region of the northeastern USA and its proximity with the biggest city in the United States of America, New York, has increased the demand for living in the state. Every year a huge number of migrants move to Massachusetts to earn their living and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the leading destination for their education. The foundation of this well-reputed university is another history as the increase of industrialisation in the United States led to the establishment of this University. Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a wide range of courses and degree programs for its students and several other amenities. The University was initially a college and a  private catholic institution but after 13 years of its establishment, it has given up its Jesuit Catholic affiliation.

The University of Oxford is one of the world's most notable and historical institutes. A self-governing institute, it is ranked the fourth best university in the world by QS World University Ranking 2023. On the other hand, it is ranked #1 by the Times Higher Education World Ranking list for 2022. It is a world-class university that is highly regarded for its contribution to research.

Located in the city of Oxford, the University has more than 30 colleges, all spread throughout the city. Established in the 13th century, the University, Balliol, and Merton Colleges are the oldest. Green Templeton is the University’s newest college.

The University has three societies – Kellogg College, Reuben College, and St Cross College and they are considered departments under Oxford.

Students from more than 160 countries and territories come to study at Oxford.

Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876 in Baltimore, Maryland, is America’s first research university and a global leader in discovery. With more than 30,000 students enrolled across nine academic divisions; including medicine, public health, engineering, business, and international studies; it combines rigorous teaching with groundbreaking research. The university employs over 27,000 faculty and staff and maintains an endowment exceeding $13 billion. Johns Hopkins operates campuses in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and abroad, reflecting its international reach. Its scholars and alumni have earned Nobel Prizes and advanced innovations in science, health, and policy, reinforcing its reputation as a world-class institution. 

Before you go into the details, let's have an overview of Johns Hopkins University (2026–2027): 

Thinking about whether Johns Hopkins University matches your academic and career goals? Book a free 1:1 counseling session with upGrad's expert advisors to receive personalized guidance on programs, eligibility, tuition, and scholarships. 

After a quick overview of JHU, let's explore how it performs in different rankings. 

The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, holds the #21 spot in the 2025 U.S. News National Universities ranking. The university enrolls approximately 33,730 undergraduates and over 46,000 total students.

The university offers over 275 degree programs and is renowned for its impressive research output and comprehensive graduate offerings.University of Michigan received a record-breaking 115,000+ applications for Fall 2025.

The Technical University of Munich (TUM), established in 1868, is one of Germany's leading public universities. With a community of 52,931 students, nearly 45% of whom are international, TUM offers 180 bachelors and masters degree programs. While it covers various fields, the university is especially renowned for its expertise in engineering and technology. 

The Technical University of Munich ranking is consistently among the top in Europe, reflecting its global impact and academic excellence. Over the years, TUM has produced 19 Nobel Prize recipients, such as biochemist David Baker. It is also a hub of innovation, with 103 startups, 80 patents, and €480 million in research funding. 

King’s College London, founded in 1829, is one of the oldest and most prestigious public institutions in the UK. It ranks 3rd for research impact in REF 2021 and has a vast alumni network of over 250,000 graduates, including 57,000 international alumni. The college is also home to 14 Nobel Prize winners, cementing its global reputation.

McGill University is one of Canada's oldest and most recognised institutions. It is located in Montreal, Quebec, and is widely known for its academic excellence, inclusive campus culture, and world-class research.

McGill attracts thousands of international students each year because of its academic reputation, research intensity, and vibrant student life. From top-ranked programs to multicultural support systems, McGill offers an enriching environment for students worldwide.

The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is one of the oldest and most respected public universities in the UK. Ranked #27 in the QS World Rankings 2025, it welcomes over 51% international students. Edinburgh offers more than 700 programs across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

With an average graduate salary of £49,500 (INR 55.9L) and a placement rate of 86%, the university stands out for its academic strength and global student support.

The University of Manchester, established in 1824, is a globally recognized public research institution located in Manchester, UK. University of Manchester ranks 35th globally and 6th in the UK according to the 2026 QS World University Rankings. The University of Manchester acceptance rate is 76% which means there are high chances to get admissions in the university. 

Western Illinois University is a public institution at Macomb, Illinois, USA. It was founded in 1899 as the Western Illinois State Normal School. It was founded for catering to the needs for preparing teachers to work at the grammar schools throughout the State. 

The name of the college became the Western Illinois University in 1967. The institution gradually included several majors for high-school teacher preparation. It then came up with the graduate school, and a college for Arts and Sciences, in tandem with a liberal arts curriculum. It also set up institutions for Education and Human Services, Business and Technology, and Fine Arts and Communication. It has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The student to faculty ratio stands at 12:1 while 88% of students are transfers at the institution. 

The University Campus is located at Macomb, Illinois, within the Quad Cities. It lies on the banks of the Mississippi River as well. It has several research and study centers including the Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education, Central Illinois Adult Education Service Center, Children's Literature Examination Center, COEHS Advising, Infant and Preschool Center, Center for Applied Criminal Justice, Maurice G. Kellogg Science Education Center, Reading Center, and the Center for Social Studies Education. 

There are 47 degree programs encompassing master, bachelor, certificate, and doctoral programs along with four degrees which are exclusively for the WIU Quad Cities campus, namely engineering, counseling, museum studies, and environmental science. 

Notable alumni include commentator, editor, and television producer, Mary Matalin, actor, journalist and voice actor, John Mahoney, and businessperson Robert Nardelli. 

Students have an opportunity to get practical experience across the spectrum, including gaining work experience at smaller businesses, various companies, and leading Fortune 500 entities, such as John Deere. There is a Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement which links students to companies for projects, internships, and career related prospects. The Center also offers career appointments, along with Handshake activities, resume development, cover letter development and review, personal statement building, mock interviews and support, searching for internships and jobs, navigating careers, and a lot more.  It also helps with choosing future graduate study programs along with career planning, and career fairs. Students can also access varied career tools and resources. 

The University of British Columbia (UBC) was founded in 1908 and officially opened in 1915 in Vancouver. In 2005, UBC expanded with a second campus in Kelowna (Okanagan). Today, it stands among the top universities in the world, recognized for excellence in research, innovation, and international impact. 

The University of Bristol has evolved into a leading city-based institution, with 30,660 students and 10,765 international students (28% of the student body). It employs 8,847 staff and continues a legacy of gender equality as the first English university to admit women on equal terms.

As one of the UK’s top universities, Bristol secured £302.2 million (INR 31,731 Cr) in research income and attracted £7 million (INR 735 Cr) from the Global Challenges Research Fund alone. The University of Bristol ranking shows that it ranks among the top 5 UK institutions for research quality, confirming its commitment to academic excellence.

Bristol offers over 600 term-based courses across foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate, and short-term programs. This blog explores what makes it one of the top universities in the UK. Its diverse curriculum is ideal for students looking to study in the UK.

Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is a public university located in Charleston, United States of America (USA), offering over 80 undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business, arts, science, humanities, and education. Students are guided by a faculty known for their excellence in teaching, creative activity, research, and free and rigorous inquiry. Eastern Illinois University is consistently ranked amongst the top third Midwest universities by US News and World Report, thereby earning its reputation of offering a wide variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The university has a mission to enrich the social, educational, cultural, and personal development of the students by offering exhilarating co-curricular experiences

Duke University is a private research institution located in Durham, North Carolina, with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 6,640 students. The university comprises 12 schools and institutes, including the renowned Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and the Pratt School of Engineering. 

The University of Texas, Austin is one of the most respected state universities in the United States of America. With a history of over 140 years, it houses over 52,000 students across 18 colleges and specialization schools with a teaching faculty of 3,000.

Texas’s most prominent research institution, the university draws over $650 million (? 4,850 crores) in research funding each year. The university acts as a platform to explore many prospects across career fields within the city of Austin in Texas, known for celebrating its people’s entrepreneurial energy and creativity.

The institution is home to seventeen libraries and seven museums, including the LBJ Presidential Library and the Blanton Museum of Art. It also manages several research centres, including the J. J. Pickle Research Campus and the McDonald Observatory.

With so much to its name, the University of Texas is a mammoth in the world of education, with it receiving thousands of applications across departments each year.

The University of Warwick is one of the UK's most globally diverse institutions, with 43% of its total enrollment made up of international students. It hosts around 28,000 students from over 150 countries, including more than 9,000 postgraduates, creating a multicultural academic environment that supports both research and career-focused learning.

Germany is a top choice for master’s students due to its world-class education, affordability, and career prospects. With 400+ universities, low or zero tuition fees at public universities, and 11 institutions in the QS Global Top 250, Germany offers quality and value. Students benefit from English-taught programs, advanced research, and strong links with companies like BMW, Siemens, and SAP. Additionally, graduates can stay up to 18 months post-study to find employment.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public research university in the United States. It holds the #70 spot in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. The university has enrolled over 35,000 undergraduate and 20,000 graduate students.

Sheffield is a research university located in Southern Yorkshire, England. It has around 50 academic research departments that are categorized into five different faculties. It is one of the top 10 best universities in the UK when research grant funding is considered. 

The University of Sheffield UK is not a campus university, even though most of its 430 buildings are within walking distance. Some of the buildings located in the area are in the following places:
 

1. 9 Mappin street

2. 38 Mappin street

3. 45 Victoria Street

4. 301 Glossop Road, Student Skills and Development Centre

5. 34 Endscliffe crescent, Accommodation, and Commercial Services

6. 12 Bolsover St, Arts Tower, Admissions Service

7. 241 Glossop Rd, Edgar Allen House, Careers Service

8. Clarkson St, Octagon, Convocation Hall

9. 36 Wilkinson St, Counselling Service

10. 44 Leavygreave Rd, Information Commons (IC)

Rankings: 

The University of Sheffield is ranked #160 in the world's best universities, #59 in Europe's best universities, and #19 in the United Kingdom's best universities, by USnews.com. The University of Sheffield is ranked #105 by QS World University Rankings.