Politics BA

We live in a time of great social upheaval and dramatic political change. This dynamic degree will allow you to explore political ideas, structures and approaches that will help you to understand these complex circumstances.

As a Politics student you’ll gain expertise in data analysis, research, critical thinking and more as you develop an in-depth understanding of political theory, international relations, development studies and systems of government used around the world.

Core modules in this programme will enable you to gain a grounding in the discipline. You’ll also be able to pursue topics that suit your own interests and concerns by choosing from a wide range of optional modules exploring topics, from political psychology to security studies, supported by the unique breadth of research specialisms within the School of Politics and International Studies.

On this course you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad, allowing you to develop an international perspective on your subject or undertake a work placement which will give you an insight into working life in a particular organisation or sector linked to your studies.

Throughout the course, you’ll gain a diverse skillset that will be valuable to you as a citizen, as well as in your future career – whatever path you choose to take.

Specialist pathways - parliamentary studies and quantitative research

At the end of Year 1, you'll have the opportunity to apply for:

• The Parliamentary Studies Pathway which includes a year spent on a related placement.

• The Quantitative Research Methods pathway which will enhance your quantitative skills.

See the 'Course content' tab for more information.

Studying in the School of Politics and International Studies

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Year 1 provides the foundation of your studies with a set of compulsory modules. You’ll be introduced to all of the core areas of the School’s expertise, covering topics including political theory, comparative and British politics, international relations and development studies, as well as gaining the research and academic skills you need to study politics. You’ll also have the choice of an optional module, to help you start developing your own research interests.

You’ll then build on your knowledge in the following year, with compulsory modules that allow you to gain new skills in political research and explore different areas of political theory. Around this, you’ll choose from more advanced modules in topics such as UK politics, electioneering and the political systems of different countries and regions. In addition, you can select options from a range of modules on broader topics like approaches to development, security studies or international relations.

In your final year, you’ll pursue your own specialist study. You’ll produce an extended piece of individual research on a topic of your choosing when you complete your dissertation, and select from a wide range of specialised modules delivered by staff in areas of their own research expertise. Topics could include feminist political thought, human rights, political psychology, political extremism, the relationship between the EU and the wider international community, the politics of aid, terrorism or violence and reconciliation in African states.

Parliamentary Studies Pathway

At the end of Year 1, you’ll have the opportunity (exclusive to BA Politics students) to apply for one of a limited number of places on our four-year BA Politics and Parliamentary Studies pathway, transferring into Year 2 of that programme if you are successful. You’ll take some of the same modules as BA Politics students, but you’ll also have a closer focus on topics such as the UK Parliament, in preparation for your placement year. This will prepare you to spend Year 3 on a related placement before returning to Leeds for your final year of study. On your return you will have a wide range of module options to choose from, including options specific to British politics and parliament, whilst also developing your dissertation.

This exciting placement year could mean working with an MP at Westminster, at a party headquarters, in a constituency office or another political organisation. It’s an excellent opportunity to gain an insight into the workings of parliament and government, put your knowledge and skills into practice and gain valuable work experience to support your future career plans.

Quantitative Research Methods (QRM) Pathway

At the end of Year 1, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for a place on our BA Politics with Quantitative Research Methods pathway. This pathway will help you develop advanced analytical skills, which are in high demand across the public, private, and third sectors. You will learn statistical analysis techniques and their application to real data (e.g. survey data, countries’ statistical data) using statistical software. You will also write a dissertation in which you will analyse quantitative data to examine questions about politics, development or international relations.

You are not required to have done Mathematics at A level, this pathway is open to all students as long as you have attained an overall 2:1 in your first year and a 2:1 in the Comparative Politics module.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Politics BA in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from the range of opportunities, expanding your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you gain diverse skills. These will include seminars and workshops where you can discuss in more depth the topics set out in traditional lectures. We emphasise the importance of participation, presentation skills and group work.

Independent study is also a vital element of the course, as it allows you to develop your research and critical skills while preparing for taught sessions.

You’ll also have a personal tutor – one of our academics – who will be on hand to offer you guidance and support on academic issues, such as module choices, as well as career and personal matters.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Modules will use a variety of assessment methods. As well as traditional exams, you could also be asked to complete projects based on essays and case studies, policy briefs, group presentations, work logs, research briefs, project proposals or development agency reviews. In your final year you’ll also submit a 10,000 word dissertation.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB

We don't ask for specific A-level subjects however, in general you should be in the process of studying Social Science, Arts and Humanities subjects for A-level. See our accepted A-level subjects document to see which subjects we accept.

When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attact an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be ABB at A-level including grade A in the EPQ.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Complete 60 credits with 45 credits Distinction grade at Level 3.

• BTEC

  DDD

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3, D3, M1.

• International Baccalaureate

  35 overall (6,5,5 higher)

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  (Leaving Certificate): AAAAAB

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  AAAAB overall (AB at advanced level)

• Other Qualifications

  We do not require A-level politics for courses in the School of Politics and International Relations. We welcome applications that include vocational A level subjects such as AVCE (single or double awards). Any combination of these with A levels is acceptable.

  In general we expect applicants to have two ‘traditional’ academic subjects at A-level. See our Accepted A-level subjects document to see which subjects we accept.

  It is also possible to study this programme part time. The programme content is the same but you will study at a lesser intensity. Find out more about how to apply, support available and the part-time student experience at the Lifelong Learning Centre.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer:

• BBB at A level. Applicants must also meet the University’s GCSE matriculation standard and pass the Access to Leeds module.

• For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, we offer a foundation year for UK students who meet specific widening participation criteria. Learn more about the BA Social Science (foundation year).

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information contact the School of Politics and International Studies Undergraduate Admissions Team.

International foundation year

If you have the ability to study for a degree but don’t have the qualifications to enter directly to level one, you might consider studying a foundation year. We have formal links with the following foundation year programmes:

- University of Leeds International Foundation Year (IFY)

- Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK)

- Study Group Leeds International Study Centre (LISC)

If you are applying from an alternative foundation year provider, please contact our admissions team to find out if your qualification is suitable for entry to our courses.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Social Sciences Taught Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £20,250 (per year)

Undergraduate tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

EU students starting in 2021/22 
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

This versatile degree will allow you to gain in-depth knowledge of an important area of public life, as well as key transferable skills in communication, research, analysis, critical thinking, presentations and group working. It’s a strong basis for a variety of careers in organisations as diverse as interest groups, research bodies, think tanks, the media, the Civil Service, local government and political consultancy as well as professions like law, finance and teaching.

Graduates from BA Politics and BA Politics and Parliamentary Studies have pursued a wide range of careers as parliamentary advisors or researchers, civil servants, diplomats, advocacy workers, parliamentary assistants, lobbyists, special advisors to senior ministers, political researchers and local government officers – and some have even gone into elected office as MPs.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 300 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.

Read more about Study Year Abroad.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

Parliamentary Studies Pathway - exclusive to BA Politics

If you apply for and achieve (at the end of Year 1) a place on the BA Politics and Parliamentary Studies programme you will spend a year on a related placement. See 'Course content' tab for more information.