Course contact details
Admissions
Email:admissions@surrey.ac.uk
Phone:+44(0)1483 682222
University of Surrey
Guildford
GU2 7XH
Course summary
Why choose this course
Politics is about people and power. Our course will introduce you to the most important public policy questions in the UK, around Europe, and the world, and explore how those who make decisions impact on others.
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You’ll be taught by our world-leading academics, alongside guest lecturers from international organisations, political parties and the media.
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We’ll teach you how to think critically, conduct research yourself, and help you develop both academically and professionally.
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We’re nationally and internationally recognised for teaching innovation, with particular specialisms in simulations and game-based learning.
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Take the opportunity to get industry-ready with our award-winning Professional Training placements.
We’re preparing you for the future by integrating AI into every course, building digital skills, confidence and creativity that employers value in tomorrow’s workplace.
What you will study
On our BSc (Hons) Politics course, you’ll get a full grounding in the discipline as a whole. You’ll examine questions of national and international significance, develop an understanding of the concepts, approaches and methods in political science, and explore the way power is exercised and distributed.
We’ll show you how decisions are made – from government institutions to civil society – so you can learn how political views are shaped and changed.
Our degree has Bachelor of Science status, in recognition of its technical analytical components that are highly valued by an increasingly diverse range of employers in the knowledge economy. You will develop transferable qualitative and quantitative research skills, and learn how to design and carry out research projects using market-leading data analysis software.
We invite expert practitioners from international organisations and industry deliver regular guest lectures.
You will have the opportunity to develop and apply primary research skills on a topic of your choice, if you choose to write a dissertation in your final year.
Modules
Course Modules
To see the full range of modules for this course please visit our website – the link is under the Course contact details. You will also find full details of the programme, including programme structure, assessment methods, contact hours and Graduate prospects.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Stag Hill
Study options
- Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
- Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years
Start dates
Application codes
- Institution code:
- S85
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Surrey has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Application codes
- Institution code:
- S85
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.
Course optionsChat to student ambassadors
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Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelABB-BBB
Overall:
ABB-BBB
Applicants taking an A level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element.
We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking.
ABB-BBB
Applicants taking an A level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element.
We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking.
T LevelD
Overall:
Distinction overall, with minimum C in the Core Component.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at Grade 4 (C).
Distinction overall, with minimum C in the Core Component.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at Grade 4 (C).
UCAS TariffNot accepted
Scottish HigherAABBB-ABBBB
Overall:
AABBB - ABBBB
GCSE or Equivalent:
English Language: Scottish National 5 - C
Maths: Scottish National 5 - C
AABBB - ABBBB
GCSE or Equivalent:
English Language: Scottish National 5 - C
Maths: Scottish National 5 - C
Access to HE Diploma
Overall:
QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit - 27 at Distinction and 18 credits at Merit.
QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit - 27 at Distinction and 18 credits at Merit.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English Language at Grade C(4) and Mathematics at Grade C (4) (or equivalent).
Scottish Advanced HigherABB-BBB
Overall:
ABB-BBB
GCSE or Equivalent:
English Language: Scottish National 5 - C
Maths: Scottish National 5 - C
ABB-BBB
GCSE or Equivalent:
English Language: Scottish National 5 - C
Maths: Scottish National 5 - C
Extended ProjectA
Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer for this programme, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.
Applicants can only receive one grade reduction from the published grades, an EPQ grade reduction can’t be applied in addition to other grade reductions made through other schemes such as Contextual Admissions or In2Surrey.
Applicants can only receive one grade reduction from the published grades, an EPQ grade reduction can’t be applied in addition to other grade reductions made through other schemes such as Contextual Admissions or In2Surrey.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme33-32
Overall:
33-32
GCSE or Equivalent:
English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6 and Mathematics (either course) HL4/SL4.
33-32
GCSE or Equivalent:
English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6 and Mathematics (either course) HL4/SL4.
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
Overall:
Pass overall with ABB-BBB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and two A levels.
Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element.
GCSE or equivalent: Please check the A-level drop down for the required GCSE levels.
Pass overall with ABB-BBB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and two A levels.
Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element.
GCSE or equivalent: Please check the A-level drop down for the required GCSE levels.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DDD-DDM
Overall:
DDD-DDM.
DDD-DDM.
Applications are considered on an individual basis, taking into account qualifications achieved, predicted grades, personal statement and academic reference. Conditional offers are specified in terms of required grades; we do not make offers in terms of overall UCAS tariff.
We understand that predicted grades are an estimate and will consider applicants who have predicted grades that are a little lower than our published requirement. Any offers we make will align with the grades shown above unless a grade reduction can be offered under our Contextual Admissions policy or our In2Surrey scheme. Details can be found here: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/schools-colleges/contextual-admissions-policy
Applicants with a mixed qualification profile (e.g. those taking A-levels and BTEC qualifications) are encouraged to contact admissions@surrey.ac.uk for guidance on the grades accepted.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element. |
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/international/english-language-requirements
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.
Course optionsHistorical entry grades report
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
Subject Spotlights
Subject Spotlights give you the chance to try a higher education course before you apply. Delivered by the lecturers themselves you will gain insight into what it's like to study the course and give your personal statement a boost.
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Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland | TBC |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Please see our website for up-to-date information on our fees for 2027/28:
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/undergraduate-2027-entry
Sponsorship information
Scholarships and bursaries 1
The University of Surrey offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support our students, please visit https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries for more details.
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