Modules

Think politics, and you’ll naturally think big — Whitehall and the White House, NATO and the UN . But there’s so much more to it than that.

Politics is a discipline that unpacks the big and the small, the remarkable and the everyday. It’s the game that determines elections, leadership contests, domestic policies, and the relationships between whole nations , but it can also explain the lifecycle of a single cup of coffee, or how (and why) a particular mobile phone ends up in your hand. Political decisions drive the things we often choose not to think or talk about — but as conscientious global citizens, need to.

We’ll be encouraging you to look at the world differently, through more informed, balanced, and critically aware eyes. We’ll be asking you to explore and assess your own values and beliefs — to make the familiar unfamiliar. We’ll dare you to be different, whether that’s in the classroom, out on placement, studying abroad, taking part in our huge range of student-led political clubs and societies, or even by learning a brand-new language!

What makes this course so popular is our focus on personalisation — on inviting you to create your own learning pathway. With the incredible range of specialist modules on offer, everybody’s degree is different. The core modules give you a grounding in the key historical concepts — the different perspectives and ideologies; the role of the media; the political frameworks of international relation s — while the optional electives allow you to pursue your own specific area(s) of interest. If you come here with a particular passion for the politics of climate change, race, or gender, why not build your whole degree around it?

Here’s a breakdown of the core and optional modules you’ll be studying across your course:

Year One modules include Study and Research Skills, Politics and International Relations in Practice, Media, Power and Truth, British Politics and Beyond, Politics and Young Citizens, Place & Belonging.

Year Two modules include Social Research, Careers and Experience in Politics and International Relations and UK Parliamentary Studies.
Optional modules include Contemporary European Politics, Justice, Ethics and Democracy, Security Studies, The Politics of Art, Film and Literature, Environmental Politics and Policy and Global Political Marketing.

You may choose to take an optional year-long placement in Year Three, either in the UK or overseas. You will be supported by our experienced Employability Team to source a suitable placement.

Final Year modules include a Dissertation and Leadership, Activism and Campaigning module.
Optional modules include British Politics in Uncertain Times, US Politics and Policy, End of the Liberal Order, Political Violence and Terror, Global Politics of Pop Culture, Feminist Thought and Praxis, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean in World Politics and The International Relations of Middle East and North Africa.

Assessment methods

The BA Politics course has been designed to provide a broad, varied, and consistent range of assessments to ensure a fair and balanced representation of the skills and knowledge you gain throughout.

Study Skills sessions – including advice on academic essay planning/writing/editing and referencing – are embedded into the course early and further, continual support is available throughout your degree.

Throughout your three years, each module will include both formative (i.e., non-bearing feedback, designed to help you improve in the future) and summative (i.e., bearing feedback which is then translated into overall grades) forms, which might include academic essays, case studies and reports, to individual/group presentations, policy briefs, simulation exercises, strategic communications plans, and infographic factsheets.

Tuition fees

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