BA (Hons) Politics
Overview
A unique insight
Are you looking for a unique insight into the way the world works? This exciting, modern degree in politics can provide you with exactly that. Delivered by experienced, expert and enthusiastic academics, it combines political theory, political science, political economy, area studies and international relations to provide an in-depth study of contemporary politics.
Your learning experience needn’t stop at observing and studying, however. Our voluntary placement scheme offers opportunities that have seen former students working in Parliament and the MPs’ constituency offices – seeing politics from the inside, and providing a great basis for a potential future.
We offer the opportunity for all undergraduate Home/EU students to undertake a work placement, internship or work experience while studying a full-time course starting in September 2020.
Why Politics at LSBU?
- Specialist staff who work hard to develop networks with organisations that can offer placement opportunities.
- We’ve got great relationships with local parliamentary constituency offices, meaning placement opportunities, visits, lectures and more are possible.
- You’ll have access to great resources, including the Perry Library.
- Our voluntary work experience scheme means you have the chance to secure work experience in settings such as MP’s constituency offices and the European Parliament.
- No. 1 in UK for teaching in Politics (National Student Survey 2018).
Modules
If it’s a key political issue that’s relevant to the world today, this course covers it. You’ll study areas such as genocide, human rights, religious activism, sustainability, war, terrorism and migration amongst others, building a detailed understanding of the myriad factors that make our world what it is today, and the complex interactions between them.
Methods of assessment for course overall: 71% coursework.
Year 1
Semester 1
- Introduction to Political Theory
- Power and Inequality in Contemporary Society
- Revolutions, Wars and the Making of the Modern World
Semester 2
- Social justice in action
- Politics Decision Making and Democracy
- War and Social Change in the Twentieth Century
Year 2
Semester 1
- European Politics in Transition
- Exploring British Attitudes: Quantitative Methods in Social Research
One optional module:
- Gender, Sexualities and Society
- Global Governance, Regionalism and the Nation-State
- Foreign Policy Analysis
Semester 2
- Globalisation and Development
- The Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change
One optional module:
- Making Identities: Citizenship, Race and Nation
- Twentieth Century British History
- Work Placement
- International Security
Year 3
Semester 1
- Contemporary Dynamics of the World System
One optional module:
- Black History
- Life and Times in Nazi Germany
- Modern Ireland: From Independence to the Celtic Tiger
- Race, Culture and Identity
- Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution
Semester 2
- American Politics: Ideology and Power
One optional module:
- Crimes of the Powerful: States, Corporations and Human Rights
- Genocide and Crimes against Humanity
- Suffrage to Citizenship: Female Activism in Twentieth Century Britain
- Politics and Protest
Both semesters:
- Politics Research Project (both semesters)
Entry requirements
- A Level BCC or:
- BTEC National Diploma MMM or:
- Access to HE qualifications with 9 Distinctions and 36 Merits or:
- Equivalent Level 3 qualifications worth 106 UCAS points
- Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English, or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).
We welcome qualifications from around the world. English language qualifications for international students: IELTS score of 6.0 or Cambridge Proficiency or Advanced Grade C.
Advanced entry
If you have already completed some studies at another university, we may be able to consider you for advanced entry. Please see our advanced entry page for more information.