Politics

Political change and political argument are at the centre of our rapidly changing world. Our Politics degree focuses on the key issues and ideas that drive policy and politics.

Our Politics BA (Hons) degree equips you to think critically and analytically about contemporary political issues and institutions. It allows you to understand the mechanics of major domestic and international institutions, how to evaluate public policy and the ways in which powerful forces such as migration, populism, climate change and international conflict are reshaping our world.

The aim of this degree is to both deepen your knowledge and understanding of politics and, in the process, to enable you to become sharp, globally minded citizens to meet some of the major political challenges of the twenty-first century.

The BA (Hons) Politics degree progresses from a foundation in the key concepts of political practice and theory to an in-depth understanding of more specialised subjects such as British politics, gender, violence, social justice and the environment.

If you join us to study Politics at Loughborough, you will:

• Study the subjects that interest you. Our teaching offers a wide range of topics, styles of delivery and forms of assessment, meaning you can tailor the course to best fit your personal and academic development.

• Join a highly ranked university and department. We receive consistently high rankings in university guides.

• Gain transferable skills valued by employers. All our students gain important transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication skills, analysis, research, independent and group work, which will help you secure employment after graduation.

• Be taught by world-leading experts. Our lecturers are internationally recognised experts in their fields of research and teaching. You will often be learning at the cutting edge of ongoing research.

• Be supported to fulfil your potential. We recognise that our students have different backgrounds and different learning styles and we support everyone to fulfil their potential. This includes through our Personal Academic Tutor system and extensive and tailored support provided by Loughborough University.

• Become part of a supportive and inclusive community. Based in the newly refurbished Morag Bell building, our students have work and hang-out spaces down the corridor from our lecturers whose doors you can knock on for help and support.

• Attend exciting events organised by our staff and students. These have included a Q&A with local MPs, roundtable discussions on US politics, lectures from visiting scholars, student quizzes in competition with other departments, and a School of Social Sciences and Humanities Ball.

• Have the opportunity to undertake a placement, year abroad, year in enterprise or combination. All our students have this option, and you will then additionally be eligible for a Diploma in International Studies. You can decide to add this in your first or second year of study if you’re unsure when applying.

For further insight into what you can expect to study on our Politics degree, please take a look at the modules listed below.

Course Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

A variety of assessment methods are used on our Politics degree course.

During your degree, you will be assessed through a variety of innovative and diverse assessments. As well as writing essays and exams, you might give oral presentations, write blog posts, record vlogs, design posters, write policy reports or plan public history exhibits. You may also engage in group work for some assessments.

You will also complete a dissertation on a subject of your choice, allowing you to develop the skills of a politics scholar and pursue your specific interests.