Politics

Empowering you to create positive change, answer big questions and make sense of society in an ever-changing political world. Politics BA at Keele is designed to help you understand society and the events and forces that shape it. Our wide-ranging course develops your knowledge and understanding of government, people, ideas, institutions, and their interactions. Engage in real-world experiences that equip you with core skills in analytical thinking, problem-solving and research, ready to embark on a career of your choice across various sectors including government, public relations and business.

Why choose this course?

• No.1 in the West Midlands and Top 10 in the UK for Politics (Guardian University Guide, 2026)

• Politics ranked Top 10 in England (NSS 2025, broad-based universities)*

• Engage in work placement opportunities that provide a rich experience, preparing you for employment after university

• A chance to broaden your horizons and study abroad at a partner university

• Opportunity to gain hands-on experience in UK Parliamentary Studies in Year 3

Our Politics degree introduces you to the study of politics with insights into the concepts, ideas and the nature of power. You will focus on the processes of political change and the influences at a local, national and global level, with consideration of some of the biggest challenges to face global politics.

Our programme looks to make sense of politics, exploring the concepts of power, democracy and governance, and how we address the many contemporary challenges of the political world. Politics at Keele focuses on activism: you will explore, understand and develop the skills you need to make a positive impact on your own lives and in the communities in which you live. You will do this by developing knowledge of power, governance, activism and participation, and skills that equip you for success in your career, as an active citizen, and as someone able to lead change that promotes political, social, and economic well-being. By the end of the degree, you will have been exposed to a range of different ways of interpreting and answering the biggest questions in politics, empowering you to reflect on your own positions and how we can make a difference in an ever-changing political world.

We offer a range of opportunities to engage with practical learning through real-world examples such as policy-making simulations, devising manifestos for change, policy reports, data analysis and case study reports. These enrich your university experience, providing key skills in critical thinking, problem-solving and communication, all of which that are invaluable for your career prospects.

*We have compared the positivity ratings of all participating UK institutions using the NSS 2025 sector data to determine Keele's position relative to other broad-based universities (i.e. excluding specialist institutions and further education colleges).

About Keele

Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.

We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.

Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.

Course Modules

For a list of indicative modules please visit the course page on the Keele University website.