About this course
This BSc 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 a career in politics, the civil service, think tanks, campaign organisations, business or journalism.
In this course, you can:
study political theory, global politics, public policy, and political analysis
focus on topics of contemporary political importance, for example, globalisation, public policy, constitutional politics, security studies and migration
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:
develop your critical thinking skills
hone your analytical capacity
train you in a range of research skills that are highly valued by employers
You'll develop transferable skills such as:
effective oral and written communication
problem solving
data analysis
This degree gives excellent training for a range of careers, including roles in:
the civil service and international organisations
NGOs, advocacy and lobby groups
political campaigning
journalism
a broad range of business sectors
You can download the course details, including modules, in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 270.16 KB).
Location and awarding body
The course location is Highfield campus in Southampton. The awarding body is University of Southampton.
Entry requirements
A-levels
ABB or BBB including Politics
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.
BTEC
D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB from two A levels
DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus B from one A-level
DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma
BTEC additional information
There are no additional requirements
Other qualifications
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A-level offer:
BBB and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
BBB
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) StatementPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 62.17 KB) for further information.
Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC (RQF) (reformed)
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB from two A levels
DD in the BTEC Diploma plus B grade from one A-level
DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit
Access to HE Diploma additional information
There are no additional requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1, A1, A1, A1, A2, A2
Irish Leaving Certificate additional information
There are no additional requirements
Scottish Qualification offers
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF, 111.01 KB) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 M2 M2 in three Principal subjects
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer
Welsh Baccalaureate
ABB from 3 A levels
or
AB from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
There are no additional requirements
European Baccalaureate
76-78% overall
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.
Band B IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 5.5
- writing
- 5.5
- speaking
- 5.5
- listening
- 5.5
We also accept other English language tests.
Non-academic entry requirements
There are no additional requirements
International qualifications
Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.
This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
International Foundation Year for Law, Arts, Humanities, Business and Social Sciences
If you're an international student and don’t have the right qualifications for direct entry into this course, you may still be able to enrol by taking our International Foundation Year. This intensive, one-year course will give you the background skills and knowledge to enter into this undergraduate degree.
Contact us if you have a question about what qualifications you have or might need.
Other ways to qualify
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Course structure
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
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
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
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
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)
Support for your studies
You'll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
How you’ll spend your study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:
Year 1
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 21%
- Independent study
- 79%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 2
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 19%
- Independent study
- 81%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 3
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 14%
- Independent study
- 86%
- Placement
- 0%
How we’ll assess you
We’ll assess you using:
- coursework, laboratory reports and essays
- dissertations
- essays
- group essays
- individual and group projects
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown, year by year:
Year 1
- Written exam
- 26%
- Practical exam
- 10%
- Coursework
- 64%
Year 2
- Written exam
- 26%
- Practical exam
- 8%
- Coursework
- 66%
Year 3
- Written exam
- 18%
- Practical exam
- 1%
- Coursework
- 81%
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:
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.
Fees, costs and funding
UK/EU fees
You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.
International student fees
You’ll pay £17,560 each year. This fee will stay the same throughout your studies.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
See the full list of extra items and costs in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 270.16 KB).
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 international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
Life at Southampton
The University offers a friendly, diverse and welcoming home for you while you study. You'll work, live and socialise with students from more than 130 countries.
Clubs, societies and facilities
Our campuses have:
cafes and restaurants
bars
health centres
banks
a post office
student shops
a hairdresser
Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.
We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.
Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.
Support while you study
We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:
mental health, learning difficulties and disability
money and accommodation
childcare
computers and IT
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.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.