There are many reasons why taking this Extended Degree option could be the ideal choice; you may not have the exact subjects or grades at A level to meet the entry requirements, you may have tried other options such as apprenticeship and want to change direction or have been living abroad.

Whatever your starting point, studying this Extended Degree option offers you a great opportunity to gain both a UK and US degree and start the adventure of a lifetime, studying with us in the world’s top student city.

This is what our Extended Degree option can offer you:

- Start this programme with lower entry qualifications, see our website for further details

- A four year, full-time degree programme with an extra summer semester in Year 1, so you can study at your own pace

- Timetabled English and study skills classes to enhance your knowledge and skills

- Great student support including a Personal Academic Advisor, with help on housing, health and wellbeing, financial guidance and careers advice from our award-winning Student Affairs team

**Constant political change and upheaval dominate our lives today. Go behind the headlines to discover the structures and ideas that shape global politics, and open up a wide range of exciting career possibilities with this BA. Whether it’s doing postgraduate study or working in government, international organisations, NGOs, business, social enterprises, finance, law, or the media, the choice will be yours.**

You’ll focus on three core areas of Political Science: political thought, political systems and public policy, going from the theory of each to real world political situations. You’ll enjoy a broad study of political thinkers and theories, going beyond the classroom to experience practical policy issues. Discover British politics in the setting of the Houses of Parliament. From Global Development Politics to Policy Making in a Globalised World, our students gain a truly international understanding of politics and its processes.

Research plays an important role, so that you’ll acquire important skills using the latest technology which will be invaluable for any career.

A number of fascinating electives are on offer, giving you the chance to specialise in topics which appeal to you, such as ‘Gender, Politics and IR’, ‘Democracy and Democratization’, ‘Politics of Environmentalism’, and ‘Religion, Identity and Power’. You can also take courses which allow you to specialise in the politics of different regions, including the USA, Latin America, the EU, Asia, Russia, Africa and the Middle East.

Many of our students also gain international political experience through an accredited internship, which helps shape their education and career choice.

*Top 5 Reasons to Study Political Science at Richmond: *
•Acquire an analytical grasp of contemporary social, political and economic issues of concern to policy makers, business, the media and civil society
•Access to leading non-governmental, governmental and political institutions will bring your studies alive
•Gain vital work experience with an international internship, enhancing your career opportunities, while building experience with writing in a range of professional formats from project evaluations, policy briefs and policy-maker profiles to NGO campaign analyses and project grant applications.
•Take part in field trips to the European Parliament, Council and Commission and NATO in Brussels and the International Court of Justice in the Hague
•Learn from faculty academics leading research in specialist areas from ‘Politics in the USA’ to ‘Religion, Identity and Power’

**Career Paths**
Our graduates go on to work in a range of fields including government (for instance, the Diplomatic Service and Ministry of Defence in the UK), NGOs, charities, social enterprises, law, journalism, banking, research and policy think tanks, consultancies, humanitarian organisations and international organisations.