Politics
BA Honours
- UCAS code: L200
- Full time
- 3 years
- Next start date: September 2021
Train your mind to recognise, analyse, understand and apply the theories, mechanisms and forces that drive political decision-making.
Fees (per year)
- Home: £9250
- International: £18600
Entry requirements
- A Level: AAA-ABB
- IB: 32-34 points
UCAS Institution name and code:
- NEWC / N21
Course overview
This flexible degree will give you the opportunity to study a dynamic and diverse subject area. From exploring the pressing issues of international crisis to analysing the latest domestic political developments, you will develop key skills in critical thinking, research, and communication.
You'll gain the knowledge and skills to look beyond the headlines to analyse the key dynamics of political events, and join a close-knit community of students and staff that creates an environment in which you can flourish.
Our academic staff will bring political issues alive for you. Our expertise covers all aspects of politics as a discipline, so you can study a range of topics taught by acknowledged experts in their field.
Through a combination of core and optional modules, you can tailor your degree to your interests. You'll study topics that include a mix of global politics, political philosophy, international relations, and political systems and institutions.
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Your course during COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption.
Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.
View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2021-22.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information
Quality and ranking
- top 20 in the UK – the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020
- 90% overall satisfaction score – National Student Survey 2019
- top 200 – Social Sciences category – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2020
Teaching excellence
TEF GoldA ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
You will be given a foundation in the core discipline of politics and gain an understanding of politics at the national level and a thorough grounding in political theory.
A mix of compulsory and optional modules will help you to become an informed and engaged global citizen.
You will start to relate your studies to historical, global, national, and ideological contexts.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| The Westminster System: Politics of the UK | 20 |
| Becoming a Political Analyst | 20 |
| Power and Inequality | 20 |
| Politics of Happiness | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Interconnected World | 20 |
| Key Concepts in International Politics | 20 |
| Order and Disorder: The Shaping of the 21st Century | 20 |
| Comparing Cultures | 20 |
During your second year, you will build on your critical thinking, research, and communication skills as you cover key political actors, issues and organisations, including political parties, in more depth.
You’ll develop critical insight into the relationship between theory and practice and how research methods used in the social sciences shape our understanding of both fields.
You will deepen your knowledge of political theory and be able to choose from optional modules to broaden your understanding of key issues and of politics in differing national contexts.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Becoming a Political Researcher | 20 |
| Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Social Issues in Contemporary Political Philosophy | 20 |
You will begin to specialise in the political topics that are of interest to you. As a part of this, you will undertake a significant piece of independent research that harnesses your subject knowledge and the research skills you’ve developed throughout your degree.
You’ll complete your studies with optional modules covering topics across politics and its subfields.
Modules
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.
Teaching time is made up of:
- scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
- structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, group-work and research projects, and benefit from our strong focus on teaching.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
-
Dissertation or research project
-
Essays
-
Examinations – practical or online
-
Presentations
Skills and experience
Practical skills
You will be trained to conduct interviews and evaluate surveys and statistics. You'll get training in SPSS software, a world-leading statistical software that helps you to understand data, analyse trends, and make informed recommendations.
Business skills
You'll enjoy many opportunities to boost your employability, starting with an induction week careers session dedicated to politics.
You will also be able to put your learning into practice further by conducting real-world political research for a local organisation in Stage 3.
Research skills
In stages 1 and 2, you will be given hands-on training in the quantitative and qualitative research methods required for the effective collection, analysis and visualisation of data.
In Stage 3, you'll apply these learned skills in the field to your research projects.
Chat to a student
I chose Politics at Newcastle University because of its wide range of interesting modules and excellent teaching staff, alongside its top class reputation. I am thoroughly enjoying my studies here
Opportunities
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.
Find out more about work placements
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You may choose to spend semester 2 of Stage 2 or semester 1 of Stage 3 on an international exchange at a partner institution.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
You'll be based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology's Henry Daysh Building, which has recently undergone a £60-million refurbishment.
Support
You will have one-to-one academic and pastoral support from a personal tutor and from a student.
A tutor in the department has twice won a student-nominated award for pastoral care in recent years.
Your future
94% of our most recent Politics students were in work or further study within six months of graduation, earning an average salary of £21,779*. Of those, several were already working in the field of politics – in the Houses of Parliament, local government and the Civil Service.
You will graduate with the specific skills and knowledge to pursue a career in politics. You will also have the ability to think critically, assess evidence, carry out research, construct an argument and articulate it.
These skills have seen our politics graduates enjoy successful careers in the media, non-governmental bodies, inter-governmental organisations, finance, management consultancy and business.
Some choose to pursue vocational training to become lawyers or teachers; and others undertake further postgraduate study in fields such as politics, business and finance.
*Destinations of (undergraduate, UK and EU) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17
Make a difference
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Careers support
You'll benefit from targeted careers support throughout your degree. In your induction week, you'll explore potential career paths.
In Stage 2, you can apply for a work placement with a local political party or charity.In Stage 3 you can boost your prospects by conducting policy research on behalf of a local community organisation.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2021 entry.
A Level
AAA-ABB
International Baccalaureate
32-34 points
Other UK qualifications (and PARTNERS)
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
PARTNERS
Through our PARTNERS programme, you could receive an offer up to three grades lower than the typical requirements, and get support throughout the application process. To apply through PARTNERS, you must be based in the UK and meet our eligibility criteria.
Entrance courses (INTO)
International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO.
Find out more about International Pathway Courses
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University, including Newcastle University London. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for 2021 entry (per year)
Home Fee Students
£9250
International Fee Students
£18600
The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme).
The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.
For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.
If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.
Year abroad and additional costs
For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
Scholarships
Find out more about:
Open days and events
The situation with Covid-19 means that we're unable to hold Open Days on campus. However, you don’t have to visit in person to experience Newcastle.
From the comfort of your sofa you'll be able to:
• explore our beautiful campus
• find out about our vibrant city
• discover what students think about studying at Newcastle
You'll also have the opportunity to speak to academic staff and find out more about the subjects you're interested in.
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University. Visit our events calendar to find out when we're visiting your region.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS
To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:
- the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
- the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
- the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college
If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.
Apply through UCASApply through an agent
International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.
Get in touch
By Phone
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