Politics
About the programme
UCAS Code: BA Combined Honours (Y001)
During your study of politics, you'll learn about a wide range of different political systems. These include those found in:
- Britain
- the United States
- the European Union
- the Middle East
- Africa
- Asia
You'll be able to examine the ideas which underpin these political systems and which have inspired political action.

You'll look at the contributions of figures such as Machiavelli and Marx through to contemporary political theorists such as John Rawls and Robert Nozick.
You also have opportunity to look beyond the nation-state. You can choose from modules which study both co-operation and conflict between states and other actors in the international realm.
Offered by the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology.
You also have the chance to join like-minded students, with organised discussion of politically themed topics in the Politics Society
Students study either 40 or 60 credits from the list below in Stage 1.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
---|---|---|---|
POL1015 | The Westminster System: Politics of the UK | 20 | 2 |
POL1032 | Key Concepts in International Politics | 20 | 2 |
POL1045 | Becoming a Political Analyst | 20 | 1 |
POL1046 | Order & Disorder: The Shaping of the 21st Century | 20 | 1 |
POL1049 | Power and Inequality | 20 | 2 |
POL1050 | Politics of Happiness | 20 | 1 |
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 2.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
---|---|---|---|
POL2015 | International Institutions: Who Governs the Globe? | 20 | 1 |
POL2016 | Foreign Policy Analysis: Theories and Approaches | 20 | 2 |
POL2017 | Becoming a Political Researcher | 20 | 2 |
POL2022 | Government and Politics of the USA (Capped at 120) | 20 | 1 |
POL2034 | The Politics and Policy of the European Union | 20 | 1 |
POL2035 | Power and Poverty in the Global Economy | 20 | 2 |
POL2045 | British Politics: State and Society (Capped at 80) (Pre-requisite POL1015) | 20 | 1 |
POL2082 | Political Violence and the Modern State | 20 | 1 |
POL2090 | Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Social Issues in Contemporary Political Philosophy | 20 | 1 |
POL2096 | Politics Work Placement (Capped at 20) |
20 | 1&2 |
POL2110 | Security Studies (Capped at 100) | 20 | 1 |
POL2111 | Democracy or Dictatorship?: What are the differences and how do we analyse them? | 20 | 2 |
POL2113 | Sex, Gender and Power | 20 | 2 |
POL2114 | The Politics of Race (Capped at 80) | 20 | 2 |
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 3.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
---|---|---|---|
POL3046* | Dissertation in Politics Note: this is only offered to those taking Politics as a Joint or a Major subject |
40 | 1&2 |
POL3047* | Project in Politics Semester 1 | 20 | 1 |
POL3048* | Project in Politics Semester 2 | 20 | 2 |
POL3050 | The Ethics of Killing | 20 | 2 |
POL3053 | Political Leadership in Britain (Pre-requisite one of either POL1015 or POL2045) | 20 | 2 |
POL3055 | Applied Political Research with Quantitative Methods (Pre-requisite POL2017 or equivalent i.e. SOC2069 or SOC2070) |
20 | 1 |
POL3092 | Political Parties and Elections in the UK (Pre-requisite POL1015) | 20 | 1 |
POL3103 | Community-based Research in Politics (Capped at 20) | 40 | 1&2 |
POL3109 | Gender, Campaigns and Media (Pre-requisite POL2017) | 20 | 1 |
POL3111 | UK Parliamentary Studies (Capped at 45) | 20 | 2 |
POL3117 | Politics of Immigration (Capped at 80) | 20 | 2 |
POL3124 | Mexican Politics: Authoritarianism & Democracy | 20 | 1 |
POL3125 | Politics of Citizenship | 20 | 1 |
POL3127 | Global Apartheid Regimes | 20 | 1 |
POL3129 | Global Justice | 20 | 2 |
POL3132 | Public Policy: Theories, Cases, Skills | 20 | 2 |
POL3133 | Politics as a Way of Life | 20 | 2 |
* POL3047 Project in Politics: Semester 1 or POL3048 Project in Politics: Semester 2 cannot be taken if students are taking POL3046 Dissertation in Politics
* POL3047 Project in Politics: Semester 1 and POL3048 Project in Politics: Semester 2 cannot be taken together.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about choosing this subject as part of your Combined Honours degree, contact us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Subject adviser
Dr David Walker - School of Geography, Politics and Sociology