About this course
This BSc Politics degree will help you learn about political systems, political thinkers, democracy and the modern state. You’ll gain insight into issues such as modern migration, the role of the media, and the future of the European Union. This course can lead to jobs in politics, the civil service, think tanks, campaign organisations, business or journalism.
Discover how to get into politics as you:
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study political theory, global politics, public policy, and political analysis
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focus on topics of contemporary political importance, for example, globalisation, public policy, constitutional politics, security studies and migration
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choose from a wide array of topics through optional modules, including political topics relating to the UK, the EU or the US, and modules in criminology, economics or ethics
A BSC Politics degree from the University of Southampton will:
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develop your critical thinking skills
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hone your analytical capacity
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train you in a range of research skills that are highly valued by employers
You'll develop transferable skills such as:
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effective oral and written communication
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problem solving
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data analysis
This degree gives excellent training for a range of careers, including roles in:
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the civil service and international organisations
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NGOs, advocacy and lobby groups
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political campaigning
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journalism
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a broad range of business sectors
What's it like to study Politics at Southampton
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
We don’t have the entry requirements for this course yet. Please check again later.
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
Following introductory modules in year 1, in year 2 you'll pursue an advanced study of democratic state systems and political theory. You'll also delve into research methods. This will give you the skills you need to support your study in other modules and to prepare you for the dissertation in year 3. You can choose optional modules in each year of the programme.
You’ll also be able to broaden your experience by selecting:
Along with these options, our Curriculum Innovation Programme allows you to take optional modules outside your core disciplines. You do not need to choose your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to customise your course.
Year 1 overview
You'll be introduced to political systems, analysing the differences between democracies, semi-democracies, and authoritarian regimes. This will be studied alongside important concepts within contemporary political theory.
You can choose from optional modules from politics or from related disciplines. For example, you can study micro-economics, ethics, or even get an introduction to mathematics for economics.
Year 2 overview
Year 2's compulsory module is research methods. You'll also be able to choose from a broad range of optional modules. These include Chinese politics, the future of Europe, ethics and social policy.
Year 3 overview
For your dissertation you’ll research a politics or international relations topic of your choice. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate independent research, analysis and communication skills.
You'll also be able to choose from optional modules on topics as diverse as the study of prisons and punishment in society, ethical debates, or the future of the EU. The module 'Imagining European Futures' invites students to come up with bold, creative and innovative ideas about the desired shape of European integration, while showing students how to ground these ideas in a thoroughly researched empirical context.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
For entry in Academic Year 2020-21
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Course time
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
How we'll assess you
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
Academic support
You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
Course leader
Kamil Zwolski is the course leader.
Careers
You’ll graduate with a wide range of transferable skills such as critical thinking, research and team working. Career skills are embedded at every stage of our courses and certain modules offer specific teaching in reasoning and communication.
Our politics graduates have secured roles as diverse as:
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management consultants
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business analysts
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social scientists
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researchers
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journalists
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civil servants
Our politics degrees are also a good foundation for further study at masters or PhD level.
The University’s Excel Internship Programme can help you find a paid work placement during the Easter or summer vacation.
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Work in industry
You can choose to spend a year in employment during this course.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £18,520.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
When you apply use:
- UCAS course code: L200
- UCAS institution code: S27
What happens after you apply?
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000