Study PoliticsA short guide to studying politics at university in the UK

Contents1 Introduction2 What is politics?5 Why study politics?6 Courses 8 Topics10 Skills10 Further study11 Careers12 Where can you study?

Study PoliticsA short guide to studying politics at university in the UK

IntroductionPolitics is a fascinating subject to study at degree level. Indeed it has never been more popularwith the number of students studying politicsincreasing in recent years. It will equip students with key transferable skills and you should becomeattractive to a wide range of employers on graduatingfrom university.

The purpose of this booklet is to introduce youto the ways in which politics is studied in the UK andthe sorts of skills you will acquire by studying politics. It provides up-to-date information of all PoliticsDepartments in the UK so that you can choose thedepartment and degree that is right or you.

After reading this booklet we hope that you will apply to study politics. It is important to highlightthat you can apply to study politics without havingpreviously studied the subject at school.

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What is politics?Politics is of vital importance to all of us in our dailylives. It concerns fundamental choices about the ways in which societies are organised and the way we are governed. It also concerns the way nation-statesrelate to one another internationally.

It is impossible to turn on your TV withoutreference to politics. With new ways of communicatingand providing information more and more people arebecoming politically engaged, especially through socialmedia such as Twitter and Facebook.

Politics is not just the concern of politicians. It is about big issues such as the environment andhuman rights. We have recently witnessed the outbreakof political protest in parts of the world such as theMiddle East and closer to home we have witnessed livelystudent protests regarding the increase of tuition fees.Political engagement can change lives and encouragechanges in government in the UK and elsewhere.

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“At university I switched frombiochemistry to politics andeconomics, and later did a part-time masters in politics. It changed my life: I went to work for the Liberal Democrats, in partyHQ and in Parliament, then for athink-tank and now I’m a specialadviser to one of our ministers. I’ve spent my life working for acause, trying to change the world.What could be better?”

Duncan BrackSpecial Adviser to Secretary of State forEnergy and Climate Change

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“Studying politics gave me not just an understanding of politicalinstitutions and processes relevantto everyday life and work, but also provided me with the criticaltools needed to devise the ideas and strategies which are a key part of successful public and media relations”.

Chris CallandSenior Account Manager, PLMR

Why study politics?Part of the excitement and the challenge of studyingpolitics is the fact that it is always changing. Domesticand world events often take us by surprise and thespeed with which major political developments occurincreases with new technology.

One reason why students are attracted to thestudy of politics is that it allows you to explore yourown views and be challenged by the views of others.The teaching and learning environment in politics is a particularly stimulating one.

With the cost of university study increasingdramatically you, as a prospective student, will want to know that your degree will not only be intellectuallyrewarding but will also lead to a successful career once you complete your studies. Politics provides you with a diverse set of key skills that will be highlyattractive to employers.

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“Studying politics taught me torigorously analyse problems and to understand the big picture butnot lose focus of the small details.These skills have been very useful in my career.”

Karan ChaddaClient Development Manager, Populus

“Studying politics increased myinterest in and understanding of the national and internationalpolitical process. Crucially, it alsohelped me to secure  workat Westminster that resulted in a career I love in public affairs”.

Laura WilliamsPublic Affairs Officer, Cancer Research UK

Courses You will be able to choose from a wide range ofprogrammes of study – different emphases exist withindifferent departments, with some specialising more inpolitical theory or international politics. There are also a large number of joint degree courses available, whichmeans you could chose to study politics alongside acourse you have previously studied and enjoyed. In anumber of universities you will be able to study politicsin combination with subjects such as history,economics, sociology, geography, philosophy, businessstudies, communication and media studies and so on.

Ideally you should attend open days and visit days to make an informed choice.

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The academic study of politicsincludes three broad areas:

Political Theory looks at the major ideas and concepts and the philosophies that have beendeveloped to show how societiesshould be organised. It includesdiscussion of the work of majorpolitical philosophers from theearliest civilisations to the presentday and a range of ideologies.

Political Institutions involves thestudy of political systems in eachcountry and comparatively. You will examine the structures ofgovernment and the ways in whichlegislatures and the judiciary areorganised and decisions are madeand laws upheld.

International Relations concernsthe ways in which nation-statesinteract with one another and the reasons why countries go towar and how they resolve theirdifferences. It also includes adiscussion of internationalinstitutions such as the UnitedNations and the European Union.

Teaching and Learning StrategiesThere will be considerable choiceover the structure of your degree.First year modules are intended as a broad introduction to thesubject. There are more advancedmodules in the second and thirdyear. The balance between core and optional modules varies fromprogramme to programme as doesthe number of modules you mayelect to do in other subjects. Adissertation – a long independentresearch project – is available oneither a compulsory or an optionalbasis in your final year. You will alsobe able to register on a full-time or apart-time basis. You will experiencea wide range of learningenvironments including traditionallectures and seminars and newerapproaches such as political blogs,wikis and role play.

Assessment – you will face a widerange of assessment strategies aspart of your politics degree rangingfrom more traditional practicessuch as examinations and essaysthrough to in-class presentationsand on-line discussion forums.

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Topics

British PoliticsNot surprisingly British politics is afeature of all politics degrees in theUK. There has arguably never beenas fascinating a time in recent yearsto study British politics. In 2010 thefirst Coalition government since the end of the Second World Warwas formed. It has proved to be verycontroversial with public protestover tuition fees and publicexpenditure cuts. There has been,and continues to be, significantconstitutional change.

European PoliticsBritish politics is linked closely tothat of the European Union andother European nations. ManyPolitics Departments have a rangeof modules available in variousaspects of European politics, whichhas been subject to major politicalsince in recent years.

US PoliticsModules in US Politics remainincredibly popular with students,with events such as Bush’s ‘War onTerror’ and the election of Obama in2009 having major implications inthe US and internationally andbeing of continued fascination forthose interested in politics.

Comparative politicsSeveral politics departments willoffer a choice of modules in otherparts of the world, including theMiddle East and African politics,where issues of democratisation,terrorism and development will be considered.

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“Working at Liberty has givenme a unique insight into howthe political system operates,and the huge impact politicshas on people’s everyday lives.”

Shami ChakrabartiCBE, Director of Liberty

International politicsIn addition to studying politics interms of established and emergingnation-states, politics can also beconsidered as the relationshipsbetween states and the increasinglysignificant role of internationalinstitutions and the impact of‘globalisation’.

Security studiesAn increasingly important branch of political enquiry is that ofsecurity studies given the rise ofglobal terrorism and environmentalsecurity issues.

Public policyHow is policy made? How dodecision-makers decide betweendifferent policy options? What arethe causes of policy failure and howcan they be avoided? These are thequestions of concern to publicpolicy analysts at a local, nationaland international level.

Political EconomyAn increasing concern of politicalenquiry is that of political economy– the ways in which the economy is organised, relations betweenstates, markets and civil society and the range of proposals that have been put forward to changeeconomic structures at a nationaland global level.

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Political IdeologiesPolitical action is shaped by our beliefs. Such beliefs can be classified as political ideologies –both established ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism andsocialism and newer ideologiessuch as feminism andenvironmentalism.

Political PhilosophyThroughout the ages philosophershave wrestled with key issues suchas what the relationship betweenfreedom and order should be, thelegitimacy of political rule, socialjustice and the most appropriateway to understand human nature.

MethodsPolitics involves not only the study of content, but also theapplication of methods. Mostpolitics degrees will have anemphasis on not just what isstudied, but also how to study it. Qualitative and quantitativemethods will be studied andpractical guidance offered as to how to study politics effectively.

Skills

In choosing to do a degree inpolitics you will develop a widerange of subject specific and widertransferable skills, making youattractive to potential employers.

Analysis/critical awareness —politics is about the analysis ofcomplex and often contradictorydata and being able to constructand defend arguments derived fromsuch data. You will be able toarticulate and defend yourarguments in the face of criticism.

Communication — you will be able to communicate effectively in writing and verbally as the result of studying politics. You will berequired to write essays and reports and to make classpresentations and contribute todiscussions. You will become moreconfident in your ability tocommunicate by studying politics.

Information technology — you will be able to develop this vital skill in today’s world. You will useinformation technology to gather,interrogate and present data. Somepolitics modules involve the analysisof statistical data using relevantsoftware packages.

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Work experience and placements — several politicsdepartments offer placements in Parliament, the devolvedassemblies, the EuropeanParliament, pressure groups, localgovernment and so forth, allowingyou to gain direct experience ofworking in a political environmenttesting you theoretical knowledgeof politics and adding significantlyto your employability.

Further Study

Obtaining a degree in politics does not necessarily mean the end of your studies. MostUniversities offer postgraduatepolitics provision includingMA/MSc taught postgraduatequalifications and MPhil/PhDhigher degrees by research. These postgraduate qualificationswill allow you to specialise in areas you have found mostinteresting during yourundergraduate study.

A postgraduate qualification in politics is essential to become a university lecturer and anadvantage in applying for jobs withthe civil service or think -tanks.

Postgraduate qualifications are also available to allow you to enter a specific type of work, such as Postgraduate Certificate of Education to allow you to teach politics and related subjects in schools and colleges of further education.

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Careers

A wide range of careeropportunities will be open tostudents with politics degrees.

Most obviously a degree in politicswill allow you to seek employmentin a range of politically relatedenvironments including the civilservice, local government, theEuropean Commission, workingwith an MP or MEP, in theheadquarters of one the leadingpolitical parties, pressure groupsand think tanks. Politics is a highly attractive qualification forentering education as you will beable to teach core subjects such as citizenship at primary andsecondary level or politics at A-Level. A popular route for politicsgraduates is to work for the print or broadcast media.

However, a degree in politics does not exclude you from pursuing a career that is not directly related to what you havestudied. Politics, as stated earlier,allows you to acquire a range of key skills and attributes that will be highly prized by employers inmanagement, marketing, publicrelations, retail, accountancy,banking etc. Many politics students find work in these careers highly rewarding, allowingthem to develop the skills they have acquired in new andchallenging circumstances.

“My degree in Politics helped meunderstand some of the basics ofdiplomacy, communication andpersuasion – all of which are keyskills I use every day in my currentcareer. I thoroughly enjoyedstudying politics and I wouldrecommend it to anyone.”

Donna BoamGroup Public Affairs Manager, RSA

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AberdeenDepartment of Politics andInternational Relationswww.abdn.ac.uk/pir/

AberystwythDepartment of International Politicswww.aber.ac.uk/interpol/en

BangorSchool of Social Scienceswww.bangor.ac.uk/so/

BathEuropean Studies and Modern Languageswww.bath.ac.uk/esml/

Belfast

Queen’s University BelfastSchool of Politics,International Studies and Philosophywww.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPoliticsInternationalStudiesandPhilosophy/

UlsterSchool of Criminology, Politics and Social Policywww.socsci.ulster.ac.uk/policy/

Birmingham

Aston School of Languages and Social Scienceswww1.aston.ac.uk/lss/

BirminghamCentre for Russian and East European Studieswww.eri.bham.ac.uk/

BirminghamDepartment of Political Scienceand International Studieswww.polsis.bham.ac.uk/

BirminghamInstitute of Local Government Studieswww.inlogov.bham.ac.uk/

Birmingham CitySchool of Social Scienceswww.bcu.ac.uk/elss/school-of-social-sciences

Blackburn CollegeSchool of Arts, Humanities and Social Scienceswww.blackburn.ac.uk/BA_socialSciences.html

BradfordDepartment of Peace Studieswww.brad.ac.uk/peace/index.php

BrightonSchool of Humanitieshttp://arts.brighton.ac.uk/study/humanities

BristolSchool of Sociology, Politicsand International Studieswww.bristol.ac.uk/politics/

BrunelDivision of Politics and Historywww.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/sss/depts/ politics.bspx

BuckinghamDepartment of Economics and International Studieswww.buckingham.ac.uk/courses/politics-and-international/undergraduate

CambridgeDepartment of Politics and International Studieswww.polis.cam.ac.uk/index.html

Cardiff

CardiffPolitics Department, School of European Studieswww.cardiff.ac.uk/euros/

University of Wales Institute CardiffCardiff School of Education,Department of Humanitieswww3.uwic.ac.uk/English/education/Pages/home.aspx

Central LancashireSchool of Education and Social Sciencewww.uclan.ac.uk/ahss/education_social_sciences/index.php

ChesterDepartment of Social Studiesand Counsellingwww.chester.ac.uk/undergraduate/politics

CoventryFaculty of Business,Environment and Societywwwp.coventry.ac.uk/cu/bes/

DundeePolitics and InternationalRelations, School ofHumanitieswww.dundee.ac.uk/politics/

DurhamSchool of Government and International Affairs,Department of Politicswww.dur.ac.uk/sgia/

East AngliaSchool of Political Social and International Studieswww.uea.ac.uk/psi/

EdinburghDepartment of Politics and International Relationswww.pol.ed.ac.uk/

Where can you study?

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EssexDepartment of Governmenthttp://www.essex.ac.uk/government/

ExeterDepartment of Politicshttp://huss.exeter.ac.uk/politics/index.php

GlamorganDepartment of Social Scienceshttp://hass.glam.ac.uk/

Glasgow

Glasgow Department of Politicswww.gla.ac.uk/departments/politics/

Glasgow CaledonianDepartment of Social Sciences,Politics Subject Groupwww.gcal.ac.uk

GreenwichSchool of Humanities, Division of Politicswww.gre.ac.uk/schools/humanities/departments/hpp/politics

HertfordshireSchool of Lawwww.herts.ac.uk/gsa_courses/LLB-Hons-Government-and-Politics.cfm

HuddersfieldSchool of Human and Health Scienceswww2.hud.ac.uk/hhs/pis/index.php

HullDepartment of Politics andInternational Studieswww.hull.ac.uk/pas/

Keele SPIRE: Politics, InternationalRelations and Philosophywww.keele.ac.uk/depts/spire/

Kent

Canterbury Christ ChurchPolitics and International Relations Frameworkwww.canterbury.ac.uk/politics

KentSchool of Politics andInternational Relationswww.kent.ac.uk/politics/

KingstonDepartment of History,Poltics,International Relationsand Human Rightshttp://fass.kingston.ac.uk/schools/social-science/

LancasterLancasterDepartment of Politics, Philosophy and Religionwww.lancs.ac.uk/fass/politics/

Leeds

LeedsSchool of Politics andInternational Studieswww.polis.leeds.ac.uk/

Leeds MetropolitanSchool of Social Scienceswww.lmu.ac.uk/as/sss

Leicester

De MontfortDepartment of Public Policywww.dmu.ac.uk/faculties/business_and_law/business/public_policy/index.jsp

De MontfortPolitics and InternationalRelationswww.dmu.ac.uk/faculties/humanities/departments-staff/department-historical-social-studies/index.jsp

LeicesterDepartment of Politics andInternational Relationswww.le.ac.uk/politics/

LincolnSchool of Social Scienceswww.lincoln.ac.uk/socialsciences

Liverpool

LiverpoolDepartment of Politicswww.liv.ac.uk/polcomm/

Liverpool John MooresSchool of Humanities andSocial Sciencewww.livjm.ac.uk/UniStructure/84426.htm

Liverpool HopeDepartment of Politics,History, Media andCommunicationwww.hope.ac.uk/politicsandhistory

London

City University LondonDepartment of International Politicswww.city.ac.uk/intpol/

East LondonSchool of Humanities and Social Sciencewww.uel.ac.uk/hss/programmes/undergraduate/internationalpolitics.htm

Continued overleaf >>

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London (continued)

London MetropolitanFaculty of Law, Governanceand International Relationswww.londonmet.ac.uk/depts/lgir/

London South BankDepartment of Social andPolicy Studieswww.lsbu.ac.uk/ahssps/

WestminsterDepartment of Politics and International Relationswww.westminster.ac.uk/schools/humanities/politics-and-international-relations

London (University of)

Birkbeck College Department of Politicswww.bbk.ac.uk/polsoc/

Goldsmiths CollegeDepartment of Politicswww.gold.ac.uk/politics/

Institute for the Study of the Americashttp://americas.sas.ac.uk/

Institute of Commonwealth Studieswww.commonwealth.sas.ac.uk

King’s College LondonDefence Studies DepartmentJSCSCwww.kcl.ac.uk/schools/sspp/defence/

King’s College London Department of War Studieswww.kcl.ac.uk/schools/sspp/ws

London School of Economicsand Political ScienceDepartment of International Relationswww.lse.ac.uk/Depts/intrel/

London School of Economicsand Political ScienceDepartment of Governmentwww.lse.ac.uk/collections/government/

Queen Mary'sSchool of Politics andInternational Relationswww.politics.qmul.ac.uk/

Royal HollowayDepartment of Politics andInternational Relationswww.rhul.ac.uk/politics-and-IR/

School of Oriental and African StudiesDepartment of Politics andInternational Studieswww.soas.ac.uk/politics/

School of Slavonic and EastEuropean Studies Department of Social Scienceswww.ssees.ucl.ac.uk/social.htm

University CollegeDepartment of PoliticalScience/School of Public Policywww.ucl.ac.uk/spp/

LoughboroughDepartment of Politics, History and InternationalRelationswww.lboro.ac.uk/departments/eu/

Manchester

ManchesterSchool of Social Scienceswww.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/

Manchester MetropolitanDepartment of Politicswww.hlss.mmu.ac.uk/polphil/

MiddlesexPolitical and InternationalStudies, School of Health and Social Scienceswww.mdx.ac.uk

Newcastle

NewcastleSchool of Geography, Politics and Sociologywww.ncl.ac.uk/gps/

NorthumbriaDivision of Politics and Historywww.northumbria.ac.uk

NorthamptonDepartment of Sociology and Politicswww.northampton.ac.uk

Nottingham

NottinghamSchool of Politics andInternational Relationswww.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/

Nottingham TrentLanguages and International Studieswww.ntu.ac.uk

Nottingham TrentDivision of Politics and Sociologywww.ntu.ac.uk

OPENDepartment of Politics andInternational Studies (POLIS)www.open.ac.uk/socialsciences/about-the-faculty/departments/politics/politics.php

Where can you study?

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Oxford

OxfordDepartment of Politics andInternational Relationswww.politics.ox.ac.uk

Oxford BrookesDepartment of Politics,International Relations and Sociologyhttp://ssl.brookes.ac.uk/international-relations/

PlymouthSchool of Managementwww.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=28885

PortsmouthPolitics Division, School ofSocial and Historical Studieswww.port.ac.uk/departments/academic/sshls/

ReadingSchool of Politics andInternational Relationswww.reading.ac.uk/spirs/spirs-home.asp

RichmondPolitics and International Relationshttp://richmond.ac.uk

Robert GordonThe Public Policy Sectionwithin the Department of Managementwww.rgu.ac.uk/abs/

SalfordPolitics and ContemporaryHistory Subject Groupwww.espach.salford.ac.uk/

Sheffield

SheffieldDepartment of Politicswww.shef.ac.uk/politics/

Sheffield HallamFaculty of Development and Societywww.shu.ac.uk/faculties/om/

SouthamptonDivision of Politics andInternational Relationswww.southampton.ac.uk/socsci/politics/index.shtml

St AndrewsSchool of InternationalRelationswww.st-andrews.ac.uk/intrel/home/

StaffordshirePoliticswww.staffs.ac.uk/faculties/art_and_design/

StirlingDepartment of Politicswww.politics.stir.ac.uk/

StrathclydeSchool of Government andPublic Policywww.strath.ac.uk/government/

SunderlandSchool of Arts, Design, Media and Culturewww.sunderland.ac.uk

SurreyDepartment of Politicswww.surrey.ac.uk/politics/

SussexSchool of Law, Politics and Sociologywww.sussex.ac.uk/polces/

SwanseaDepartment of Political and Cultural Studieswww.swansea.ac.uk/politics/

University of Highlands and IslandsHistory and Politicshttp://www.uhi.ac.uk/home

WarwickDepartment of Politics andInternational Studieswww2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/

West of EnglandDepartment of Politics and Philosophywww.uwe.ac.uk/hlss/politics/index.shtml

West of ScotlandPolitics and Sociology Group,School of Social Scienceswww.uws.ac.uk/schoolsdepts/socialsciences/ subject-groups.asp

WinchesterDepartment of Politicswww.winchester.ac.uk/

WolverhamptonPolitics and InternationalStudies Subject Areawww.wlv.ac.uk

WorcesterDepartment of History and Sociologywww.worcester.ac.uk/courses/1850.html

YorkDepartment of Politicswww.york.ac.uk/depts/poli/

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Produced by the Political Studies Association of the UKWritten by Helena Djurkovic, Lyndsey Harris, Kevin Hicksonand Sandra McDonagh

Political Studies Association of the UKDepartment of PoliticsUniversity of NewcastleNewcastle upon TyneNE1 7RU

T: 0191 222 8021F: 0191 222 3499E: psa@ncl.ac.uk

www.psa.ac.uk