Politics

Examine the major issues and problems of politics today and explore decision makers and how policies are made at all levels. You’ll be taught by experts in the field and with links to many political institutions and organisations in London and beyond, you can find yourself undertaking placements with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), MPs or international organisations such as the UN and Amnesty International. There are excellent opportunities to specialise in areas including public policy, political theory and human rights or location-specific politics of Africa, the Middle East, China, Asia and the USA.

In the most recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey, 100% of all 2017 graduates from this course were in work or further study within six months.

The Politics BA (Hons) degree provides a thorough grounding in the concept and nature of politics, and the institutions and structures engaged in political decision-making. You’ll determine and explore the decision makers and how policies are made at a variety of levels including the local, regional, national, European and international.

Study a variety of issues including citizenship and cyberspace, authority, ethics, equality, political economy and political ideologies that have shaped and are shaping the contemporary world. There are also excellent opportunities to specialise in particular areas such as public policy, political philosophy, or a particular region including Africa, the Middle East, China and Asia, or the United States.

Our dynamic expert staff have extensive research and teaching experience and many are leading figures in the academic world in professional organisations such as the Political Studies Association and the British International Studies Association. Employability is central to every module and we have links with many political institutions and organisations in London and beyond. In your final year, you’ll be able to choose between a research project, work placement or to study abroad. Our students have gained new skills working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), MPs, local and national government, embassies, the United Nations and Amnesty International.

Assessment

You'll be assessed through essays, reports, exams, seminar performance, seminar presentations (both individual and group), portfolios, blogs, policy documents, dissertations, learning logs and book reviews. The majority will be tutor assessed, but a number will be peer-reviewed in seminars. The strategy is designed to maximise the development of subject specific skills and employability skills appropriate to each level of the degree.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• A minimum of grades BBC in three A levels (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification)
• English GCSE at grade C/grade 4 or above (or equivalent)

If you do not have traditional qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the International Relations and Politics Extended degree. Applicants with relevant professional qualifications or extensive professional experience will also be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants with international qualifications and mature applicants are very welcome.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Accelerated study

If you have relevant qualifications or credit from a similar course it may be possible to enter this course at an advanced stage rather than beginning in the first year. Please note, advanced entry is only available for September start. See our information for students applying for advanced entry.

After the course

By the end of the degree you'll be ready for careers in organisations ranging from local government, central government departments, diplomatic services, the United Nations and the European Union, to domestic and international businesses, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the media. Recent graduates have embarked on careers in the Civil Service, UK Department for International Development, as a local government officer, political researcher or undertaken postgraduate study. Some of our graduates have become Members of Parliament and famous public relations spin doctors.