l200 - Politics BA
Politics BA Honours
UCAS Code: L200 (full time: 3 Years)
Course Overview
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.
At a Glance
UCAS Code
L200
UCAS Institution Name and Code
NEWC, N21
Degree Awarded
BA Honours
Course Duration
3 Years
Entry Requirements
A Level: AAA-ABB
IB: 32-34 points
Opportunities
This flexible degree is an ideal choice if you have a general interest in politics. We cover all the main branches of the subject:
- international relations
- global politics
- political systems and institutions
- political philosophy
You can structure the course largely according to your own interests, choosing topics that span continents and ideologies.
You'll also have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner institutions across the world.
In your final year, you will complete a dissertation, research project or community-based research module. This will demonstrate the research skills that you have developed during your degree.
At each Stage, you can choose up to a sixth of your modules from other subjects, such as a modern foreign language, history or law.
Quality and ranking
Politics at Newcastle is highly regarded:
- 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 2018
Boost your employability with a work placement
Apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optional work placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can apply to spend your placement year with any organisation and will receive University support to do so.
You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
It will extend your degree by a year and is subject to availability, however it isn't available if you're spending a year studying abroad.
Find out more about Work Placements.
Study abroad
You have the chance to broaden your academic experience by taking part in an Erasmus exchange during Stage 2 or Stage 3. This gives you the chance to spend between three and nine months studying abroad.
We currently have links with universities in:
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Holland
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
- the USA
- Canada
- Australia
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
It is also possible to undertake a European work placement.
Facilities and support
As a politics student at Newcastle, you’ll join a close-knit community of students and academics, based together in the Politics Building.
Our approach
Politics at Newcastle is flexible, challenging, supportive and rewarding. We aim to provide an environment in which you can flourish, with a commitment to excellent teaching.
We offer lots of opportunities to broaden your horizons, including work and study abroad, and an internationally focused curriculum.
Support
You will have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have.
Social activities
We have an active student-led Politics Society who organise events throughout the year.
Find out more about studying politics at Newcastle on the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology's website.
Temi, Politics BA HonoursI most enjoy learning about international relations and how different states interact with one another. My favourite module so far has been Order & Disorder in the 21st Century, which has a pretty self-explanatory name, but I enjoyed learning about historical events and the effects they’ve had on the contemporary world and how they have influenced our views on society today.
Stage 1
Compulsory modules
- POL1032 Introduction to International Politics
- POL1045 Politics: Essential Research Study Skills
- POL1048 Foundations of Modern Political Thought
Optional modules
You choose at least one of the following modules:
- POL1017 Governing Under Pressure: The Politics of the UK and EU
- POL1047 Power, Participation and Democracy: Comparative Perspectives
You take your remaining credits (to a total of 120 credits) from the following list:
- GEO1010 Interconnected World
- HIS1046 The History of the Americas
- POL1046 Order and Disorder: The Shaping of the 21st Century
- SOC1027 Comparing Cultures
With the approval of the Degree Programme Director alternative optional modules to those listed above may be selected
Stage 2
Compulsory modules
- POL2078 Critical International Politics*
- POL2081 Research Methods in Politics
- POL2090 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Social Issues in Contemporary Political Philosophy
*This module is not compulsory for students taking POL2072.
Optional modules
You choose at least one optional module from the following list:
- POL2012 Politics of the Middle East
- POL2022 Government and Politics of the USA
- POL2034 The Politics and Policy of the European Union
- POL2045 British Politics: State and Society
- POL2082 Political Violence and the Modern State
- POL2086 Current Issues in Politics and International Relations
- POL2087 Contemporary Russian Politics
- POL2088 The Politics of Africa: Africa's Place in Global Politics
- POL2096 Politics Work Placement*
- POL2110 Security Studies
- POL2113 Sex, Gender and Power
*Permission to take this module is subject to the approval of the Degree Programme Director.
You choose your remaining modules to a total of 120 credits from the following list:
- GEO2047 Political Geography
- GEO2103 Development and Globalisation
- NCL2007 Career Development for Second Year Students OR
- NCL2100 Developing Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Employability
You may spend Semester 2 studying abroad, subject to agreeing an overall selection of modules with the module leader.
In this case you will not be able to study POL2078. With the approval of the Degree Programme Director alternative optional modules to those listed above may be selected.
Work Placement (optional)
You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optional work placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can apply to spend your placement year with any organisation and will receive University support to do so. It will extend your degree by a year and is subject to availability. It isn't available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Find out more about Work Placements.
Year 3 (Placement Year)
On completion of Stage 2 and before entering Stage 3, you may as part of your studies for the degree spend a year in a placement with an approved organisation. If you are required to re-sit your Stage 2 assessment, you must delay the start of your placement until you have done so. If you fail Stage 2, you may not complete a placement year.
Stage 3
Optional modules
You must take at least 80 credits from Politics modules.
You take at least 20 credits but not more than 60 credits of modules from the following:
- POL3046 Dissertation in Politics
- POL3047 Project in Politics: Semester 1
- POL3048 Project in Politics: Semester 2
- POL3103 Community Based Research in Politics
You choose at least three modules from the following two lists:
- GEO3102 Geopolitics
- NCL3007 Career Development for Final Year Students* OR
- NCL3008 Advanced Career Development module*
- POL3059 Democracy and the Constitution
- POL3079 The Government and Politics of Italy
- POL3092 Political Parties and Elections in the UK
- POL3104 The Fall and Rise of China
- POL3106 Democracy in Deeply Divided Societies
- POL3108 The Politics of the Far Right in Europe
- POL3109 Gender, Campaigns and Media
- POL3110 International Organisation and Diplomacy
- POL3111 UK Parliamentary Studies
- POL3114 Animal and Environmental Ethics
- POL3116 The Ethics of War
- POL3117 Politics of Immigration
- POL3122 The Politics of Happiness
- POL3124 Mexican Politics: Authoritarianism and Democracy
*You may only take one of these modules. Permission to take these modules is subject to the approval of the Degree Programme Director.
If you did not take POL2072 in the previous Stage you may take one of the following modules, subject to the approval of the Degree Programme Director.
With the approval of the Degree Programme Director alternative optional modules to those listed above may be selected.
All candidates are considered on an individual basis.
If your qualifications are not listed here, please see our additional entry requirements web pages to find out which other qualifications are considered.
The entrance requirements below apply to 2020 entry.
Careers
Politics careers
Studying politics encourages the development of both specific and transferable skills. You will not only learn how to demonstrate your knowledge of different political systems and how to interpret political issues and events, but critically you will also develop the ability to examine issues from a range of viewpoints, construct well-researched arguments and present information in a balanced and unbiased manner.
Our courses will enable you to acquire the essential skills of research, teamwork, and communication.
Voluntary and work experience can provide you with further opportunities to develop valuable skills to prepare you for employment. Whether related to a career in politics or more general, this experience shows that you have an interest in the community and can use your time effectively, make valuable contacts and use your initiative.
Many of our politics graduates have entered positions such as financial analysts, stock market account executives and management consultants. As well as some of our graduates entering careers in politics, other career areas have included HR, education, sales and marketing
Some politics graduates go on to study vocational courses for example in law, marketing or teaching or continue with postgraduate work in subjects such as politics, business and finance.
Find out more about the career options for Politics from Prospects: The UK's Official Careers Website.
What our graduates go on to do: employment and further study choices
See what our recent graduates went on to do and view graduate destinations statistics. These statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation. Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates.
The destination data is available in varying levels, beginning with the University and moving through Faculty and School down to individual course reports. This final level may give you some useful ideas about possible options after your course or a course you are considering.
Careers and employability at Newcastle
Newcastle University consistently has one of the best records for graduate employment in the UK.
96% of our 2017 UK-domiciled UG/PG graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating.
85.5% of our graduates are in graduate level employment or further study within six months of graduating.
We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through an initiative called ncl+. This enables you to develop personal, employability and enterprise skills and to give you the edge in the employment market after you graduate.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.
Applying to Newcastle University through UCAS
To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
UCAS codes for Newcastle University
- institution name - NEWC
- institution code - N21
UCAS buzzword
Ask your teacher or adviser from your school or college for the UCAS buzzword. You need the buzzword when you register on the Apply system. This makes it clear which school or college you are applying from.
All UK schools and colleges and a small number of EU and international establishments are registered with UCAS.
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.
Making your application
On the UCAS website you can also find out more about:
- application deadlines and other important dates
- offers and tracking your application
Application decisions and enquiries
Find out more about our admissions process and who to contact if you need help with your application.