Politics (BSc)

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

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:

• interdisciplinary modules

• language modules

• a minor subject

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.

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:

Course leader

Kamil Zwolski is the course leader.

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:

• management consultants

• business analysts

• social scientists

• researchers

• journalists

• 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.

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:

• pay your tuition fees

• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

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.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: L200
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2021 entry now

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