BA Politics
Entry requirements
A level: ABB IB: 34 (6,5,5 HL) BTEC: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDM BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: DD plus one A level at Grade B BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus two A levels at Grades BB Preferred BTEC: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma Applied Science, Business, Health and Social Care, IT, Sport. Other BTEC subjects may be considered when offered in combination with one A level from the following list: Biology, Business, Classical Civilisation, Chemistry, Economics, English Language/Literature, Geography, History, Languages, Law, Maths/Further Maths, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, and Sociology.
About this course
BA (Hons) in Politics, a politics and international relations degree centred on the study of political institutions, governance, and global systems. Core topics include Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Historical Research, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course is available as a three-year full-time programme or a four-year option incorporating a professional placement year. The first year introduces foundational subjects through compulsory modules such as Academic Foundations in International Relations, Politics and History, Power, Politics & Ideology in Modern Europe, The Making and Unmaking of the World Order, and Politics and Government. During the second year, students build methodological competence via compulsory modules including Research Methods in Politics and International Relations and Research Design, alongside a diverse selection of optional modules covering topics such as political thought, development, and international security. The final year centres on an independent Dissertation, complemented by advanced optional modules addressing contemporary issues in political philosophy, global conflict, and social justice.
Modules
- The Global Cold War
- Academic Foundations in International Relations, Politics and History
- Power, Politics & Ideology in Modern Europe (20 credit)
- The Making and Unmaking of the World Order (10 credit)
- Politics and Government (20 credits)
- The Contemporary World Arena (10 credits)
- The Contemporary World Arena (20 credits)
- International Political Theory
- International Political Theory (20 credits)
- Introduction to Film
- Slavery to Black Lives Matter: African American Culture 1840 - present
- What is History?
- Families, Relationships and Communities
- University-wide Language Programme
- Research Methods in Politics and International Relations
- Research Design
- Globalization
- Social Difference
- History of Political Thought (10 credit)
- History of Political Thought (20 Credit)
- Politics of Development
- Your Future Career: Preparing for the World of Work
- Critical Security Studies
- Modern China in a Global Perspective
- Small Wars (10 credit)
- Small Wars
- The American Century: US Politics and Society in the 20th Century (10 credits)
- Political Simulation
- The Politics of Star Wars
- Political Economy: Capitalism, Democracy and the State
- Gender and Global Politics
- Modern Germany: Recovery from Ruin, 1945-present (20 credit)
- African States and Nations: Before and After Colonialism, 1850-1990
- Philosophy and Public Policy
- Digital Lives and Society
- University-wide Language Programme
- Dissertation
- The Asia-Pacific in Global Politics
- Contemporary Political Philosophy
- Feminist Philosophy
- Politics at the End of the World
- The Politics of Terrorism
- Geographies of Home and Work
- International Politics of the Middle East
- Jim Crow, Bootleggers and Okies: American Culture 1865-1940
- The Soviet Security State, 1917-present
- Gender, Intersectionality and Society
- No Gods! No Masters! Anarchism Past and Present
- War in the 21st Century
- International Conflict Management
- Environmental Thought
- Mobilities, transnationalism and diaspora
- After Empire: South Asia since 1945
- The Politics of Monsters
- 'Race', Racism and Social Justice in the Modern World
- Poverty, Pay and Living Standards
- University-wide Language Programme