At Brighton, our Politics degree gives you a strong foundation in political systems, ideologies, institutions, power and public policy. It prepares you to embark on impactful careers in government, policy research, education, journalism, media and business – both in the UK and internationally.
You’ll be part of a community that helps you grow, no matter what your background. This course is packed with opportunities to build real-world experience, including an optional placement after year two, opportunities to take part in field trips and discussions with political actors, and the chance to study abroad for a semester in the Netherlands or France. Our inclusive approach to learning will help you go further; we’ll make sure you play to your strengths and learn in ways that suit you best.
Top reasons to choose this course
You’ll graduate with both theoretical and practical knowledge. Our courses offer practical skills and real-world experiences to prepare you for your future careers, with opportunities to undertake placements, design a campaign for a political organisation and learn digital communication skills.
Our lecturers are researching issues including populism, gender studies, environmentalism, migration, housing and political theory, and you’ll be able to connect with experts who specialise in research-informed teaching.
You will become a member of our Centre for Philosophy, Politics and Ethics which hosts regular talks, seminars, workshops and conferences, and offers an annual undergraduate research prize. This vibrant research hub has a global reputation and seeks to understand the challenges presented to our political, philosophical and ethical assumptions by the world around us.
We take an innovative approach to assessments. You’ll be assessed in lots of ways, using creative approaches such as making films and podcasts, writing political speeches and developing social media campaigns. These are all skills that are highly valued by employers and reflect modern political communication.
You’ll be able to customise your degree and choose from option modules to shape your studies to suit your interests and career goals.
Why Brighton is a great place to study Politics
You’ll study in a vibrant, progressive city which is only an hour away from London. We have strong local connections with political figures and non-profit organisations which engage with us throughout the course.
We are in the UK top 20% for graduate earnings in politics, three years after graduating – Longitudinal Educational Outcomes 2024.
Year 1
In your first year you’ll build a strong understanding of political ideas, global systems and institutions, explore environmental issues and gain hands-on experience. You will also be introduced to collaborative, project-based learning around key international issues.
Core modules
Politics in Practice
Foundations in World Politics
Political Ideas
Freedom and Truth in Crisis
Comparative Political Systems
Introduction to the Global Challenges Lab
Year 2
The second year will deepen your understanding of democratic systems and political power and you’ll also develop essential research skills. Option modules let you explore topics like nationalism, sustainability and contemporary international relations, and you will also have the chance to gain workplace experience.
Core modules
Authority, Democracy and Justice
UK Politics
We, the People
Researching Politics
Options*
Unruly Bodies: Understanding and Contesting Normativity
Contemporary Issues in International Relations
Nations and Nationalism
Development and Sustainability
Experiencing the Workplace: Practices and the Community
International Institutions
Gender, Race and the Environment
Optional Placement Year
You can also choose to apply your learning in a real-world context through a professional placement in government, an NGO or a media company.
Final year
For your final year, you’ll complete a self-directed dissertation and study activism and social change. Option modules covering human rights, globalisation, anarchist politics, social policy and more allow you to focus on the issues that matter most to you.
Core modules
Activism and Social Change
Politics Dissertation
Options*
Radical Political Economy and Anarchist Politics
Neoliberalism, Imperialism and Resistance
Race and International Relations
Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention
Politics of the Right
Politics in the Middle East
*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.
This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
University of Brighton 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?
The following entry points are available for this course:
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements. |
At Brighton we recognise that not everyone's background provides the same advantages, and we know that grades are not the only indicator of potential.
If you meet our contextual admissions criteria we will make you an offer which is at least 16 UCAS points lower than our standard offer. You may also be eligible for additional financial and practical support from us through the Brighton Boost cost of living support package.
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.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
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.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
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.
Fees are payable each year and will increase annually in line with inflation.
Tuition fees for full-time UK / Home undergraduate students in academic year 2026–27
Annual course fees:
Honours degree £9,790
Placement year £1,958
Integrated foundation year (except the School of Business and Law) £9,790
Integrated foundation year in the School of Business and Law* £5,760*
*The £5,760 fee is for the foundation year only. Subsequent years are charged at the regulated undergraduate fee.
Many courses include the option of a salaried placement year. Tuition fees for a placement year are charged at a lower rate.
Regulated fees:
Tuition fees for UK / Home students on undergraduate courses in England are set by the UK government and are known as regulated fees. From academic year 2026–27 onwards, regulated fees will increase annually in line with forecast inflation. The regulated fee will be £9,790 in academic year 2026–27 and £10,050 in academic year 2027–28 (subject to parliamentary approval).
Standard tuition fees for full-time international students in academic year 2026–27:
Classroom-based courses £17,796–19,692
Laboratory or studio-based courses £17,796–19,692
Placement year £1,958
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