Politics

Empower your critical thinking and understand the way we live to shape more just and equitable governments, institutions and societies.

Politics is about power. Studying politics is about understanding who gets what and who makes those decisions. By understanding the dynamics of power and authority, you should gain the knowledge and confidence to participate in and influence critical issues that define our times.

Politics and power: learn how to understand the rules of the political game and how power is distributed throughout society. Be inspired by ideas that have driven social change. Challenge, question and defend your understanding of the world.
Ideology: explore politics from multiple perspectives. Discover the origins of essential political ideas—freedom, justice, democracy and rights—and their ongoing influence on modern political landscapes.
Project-based learning: go beyond the headlines. We'll provide the context behind current events so you can lead the conversation and shape policy that has a real impact.

Why you should study this course

• Applied learning: apply your understanding to media production, role-play simulations, real-world research and data tasks, optional placements and internships, and policy challenges that bring political theory and concepts to life.

• Showcase your skills: our assessment methods go far beyond the written word, and we won’t ask you to sit timed exams. The course aims to develop a wider range of real-world, work-ready skills—from writing op-eds and policy papers to producing short documentary films, strategy reports and data analysis.

• International perspectives: explore politics around the world, from the inner workings of the British Parliament to the complex political landscapes of Africa, India, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

• Customisation: pursue guided and independent projects in your second and final years, exploring topics of your choosing by producing work-relevant outputs.

• Employability: prepare for an exciting and impactful career in government and public policy, campaigning and advocacy, research, media, business, social enterprise and law.

Where our graduates work
Some of our previous students have secured graduate-level jobs in the civil service, international organisations, local government, the media, private sector companies, the culture industry, further and higher education teaching and non-government organisations (NGOs).

Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information.

This course includes a sandwich (placement year) option.

Course Modules

This course has a common first year. The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Year One Modules:
Order: Power and Authority in a Changing World
Chaos: Catastrophe and Violence
Identity: Belief, Vision, and Values
Motion: Migration, Trafficking and Colonisation

Year Two Modules:
Visions of Politics: Western Liberalism and its Critics
Dictatorship and Democratic Breakdown
Britain and the US: Threats and Opportunities
Protest, Dissent, and Resistance

Sandwich Year:
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Final Year:
The Politics of the Global South
Global Conspiracies, Populism, and the Far Right
Independent Project
Optional Modules