Newcastle University

Politics BA Honours
UCAS Code: L200 (3 Years)

• Course Overview
• Modules
• Entry Requirements
• Careers
• Finance

Politics at Newcastle takes you behind and beyond the headlines to explore how the world is, how it should be and how political change actually takes place.

Politics is one of the most dynamic and diverse academic subjects available and you will study everything from pressing issues of international crisis to the latest domestic political developments. 

This flexible degree is an ideal choice if you have a general interest in politics. We cover all the main branches of the subject:

• political systems
• political institutions
• political thought
• international relations
• global politics

You can structure the course largely according to your own interests, choosing topics that span continents and ideologies. You can also choose up to a sixth of your modules at each Stage from other subjects, such as a modern foreign language, history or law.

Quality and ranking

The quality of the politics study experience at Newcastle is recognised with an overall student satisfaction score of 93% in the 2013 National Student Survey.

Politics and International Studies at Newcastle also ranks in the top 200 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Teaching and assessment

Politics at Newcastle has an international reputation for its research which feeds directly into your teaching. Our research activity focuses on three overlapping areas:

• governance and political organisations
• international politics
• political philosophy

Our teaching programme takes many formats including lectures, lively seminars, teamwork exercises, research projects, simulations and more. You share your seminars not just with other politics students, but with historians, sociologists, modern linguists and economists. This broad mix adds to the range of viewpoints and liveliness of debates. 

We use a variety of assessment methods, although on average you will be expected to complete the equivalent of at least three presentations, three essays and three examinations each semester. You can also choose to write a dissertation, supervised by a member of staff, on a topic of special interest to you. Teaching and assessment methods may vary from module to module; more information can be found in our individual module listings.

Opportunities abroad

UK and EU students have the chance to broaden their academic experience by taking part in an Erasmus exchange during Stage 2 or Stage 3. This gives you the chance to spend a period between three and nine months studying abroad. We currently have links with universities in:

• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• Norway
• Spain
• Sweden

It is also possible to undertake a European work placement.

Politics at Newcastle

As a politics student at Newcastle, you’ll join a close-knit community of students and academics, based together in the Politics Building.

We aim to provide an environment in which our students can flourish, with a commitment to excellent teaching. We also offer you lots of opportunities to broaden your horizons, including work and study abroad, and an internationally focused curriculum.

Our degrees are specifically designed to give you the skills and knowledge to succeed, producing motivated, articulate, confident graduates who are well prepared for a wide variety of careers.

We have an active system of student support, including a personal tutor and peer mentor to offer guidance and support throughout your degree.

Find out more about studying politics at Newcastle on the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology's website.