Politics

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.

Course Modules

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
Introduction to the  Global Challenges Lab
Political Ideas
Foundations in World Politics
Politics in Practice
Comparative Political Systems
Introduction to Environmental Politics

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
UK Politics
Researching Politics
We, The People
Authority, Democracy and Justice

Options*
Debating Contemporary International Relations
War, Violence and Terror
The Politics of Critique
Unruly Bodies: Understanding and Contesting Normativity
International Institutions
Nations and Nationalism
Structuralism, Poststructuralism and the Politics of Critique
Experiencing the Workplace: Practices and the Community
Development and Sustainability

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
Politics Dissertation
Activism and Social Change

Options*
Radical Political Economy and Anarchist Politics
Global Social Policy
Politics in the Middle East
Race and International Relations
Politics of the Right
Care Ethics and Social Policy
Sociology of Globalisation
Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.