Politics (Placement Year)

Why Lancaster?

• Gain a unique perspective on politics, by joining a department unlike any other in the UK, which combines politics, philosophy and religion

• Study a course designed to explore how current events ripple around the world and how nations react

• Explore the politics driving today’s most pressing issues like the cost of living and climate crises

• Learn from experts in British, Russian, and Middle Eastern politics who will share their latest research and discuss world events

• Gain practical experience and enhance your job prospects on an impressive internship with our in-house Richardson Institute for Peace Studies

Global pandemics, economic recession, climate change , migration, and more – there are so many issues facing the political world. Join us to explore power, policy and political process to understand how global leaders are addressing today’s biggest challenges.

Politics of the world
At Lancaster, you’ll learn from our experts in the politics of the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Russia. Through their collective knowledge, you’ll understand that current affairs can no longer be seen through the perspective of one country. There are many international factors at play that influence decisions at home and abroad.

Our Politics, Religion and Philosophy department is the only one of its kind in the UK that combines three disciplines to form a well-rounded understanding of the world.. As part of our community, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take part in contemporary ethical debates and attend engaging events.

Skills for getting ahead
In your final year, you can choose to research and write a dissertation based on a topic of particular interest to you. You’ll receive guidance from up to three expert tutors throughout this time, from choosing a topic and researching this to submitting your final paper.

To stand out when you graduate, you can also apply for one of the internships offered every year by the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies, based in our department. These are research projects in external organisations such as NGOs, think tanks, charities and faith-based organisations.

Your Placement Year
A placement year is an excellent way to try out a role that you may be interested in as a career path, start to build your professional network (some placement students are offered permanent roles to return to after they graduate) and develop skills, knowledge and experience to put you ahead of the field when you graduate.

You'll spend your third year in a paid, graduate-level position, where you’ll work for between nine and twelve months in the type of role that you might be considering for after you graduate. A very wide range of companies and organisations offer placements across all sectors. As a full-time employee, you’ll have a detailed job description with specific responsibilities and opportunities to access training and development, the same as other employees.

Our Careers and Placements Team will help you to secure a suitable placement with expert advice and resources, such as creating an effective CV, and tips for applications and interviews. You will still be a Lancaster University student during your placement and we’ll keep in touch to check how you are getting on.

The university will use all reasonable effort to support you to find a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills. If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year.