Politics

Our Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Politics offers a demanding and stimulating course of study covering international politics, comparative politics, and political theory, with an emphasis on developing your analytical and research skills.

On completion of the programme of study, students will be equipped with substantive knowledge of international politics, comparative politics and political theory. In addition, they will have acquired a range of theoretical and methodological frameworks through which to explain and understand political events and processes.

Key benefits

• You will learn to think critically and independently about key issues in politics and develop a range of skills to support your intellectual, vocational, and personal development.

• Given the interdisciplinary nature of the department, you will also have many opportunities to explore the interplay between politics and economics.

• In your first year, you will learn about core concepts and issues in global and national politics and about statistical techniques that political scientists employ. Your second and third years will feature a wide range of options including further methodological training, plus some required modules, depending on whether you choose the Politics BA or BSc degree.

• In the third year, you can choose to develop a dissertation project by identifying a key political problem and producing a research proposal under the guidance of your supervisor. Building on the skills learnt in the programme, you can conduct and write up a piece of original research on a subject of your choice for your third-year dissertation.

• You will be taught by subject experts with a wealth of knowledge of their fields of study.

• We rank 4th in the UK for Politics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

Course essentials
The BA/BSc in Politics is taught primarily at our Strand Campus, putting you close to all the facilities offered by the university and within easy reach of the cultural attractions of the Southbank and Covent Garden. The library and computing facilities are readily accessible together with the opportunity to use the University of London library at Senate House.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

Special features
Optional study abroad
On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office. Together with partner organisations around the world, you will be supported in navigating your international, educational journey, developing new skills and competences and learning to apply different perspectives to your chosen discipline.