BA (Hons) Politics
Course
options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- L200
- Typical Offer
- ABB
- Contextual Offer
- BBC
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Are you fascinated by issues such as how parliament works, or the politics of climate change, or the role of AI in society? Are you eager to dissect the headlines with a critical eye? Do you want to gain a deeper understanding of current political issues in the UK and around the world? If so, BA Politics is the course for you.
At UEA, we take a global and holistic approach to politics and the political. You’ll be able to take modules on politics in many parts of the world, including the US, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Or, you might be interested in studying activism, media and culture, or gender. Whatever your area of interest, you’ll be studying cutting-edge issues designed to enable you to become an informed and responsible citizen of the world.
You’ll spend your time with us asking difficult questions and debating the answers with fellow students and academics to help formulate your own ideas. You’ll be supported throughout by a dedicated team of world-class academics who are researching a wide variety of topics.
Aside from your time in the classroom, we offer a huge range of activities, from internships, placements, staff-student debates, opportunities for you to contribute to blog and podcast series, or even spend a year abroad! We also host a regular speaker series featuring academics and politicians debating and discussing the hottest political topics of the day.
During your time with us, you’ll develop crucial critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills. Our graduates move on to a wide variety of careers, including working for the government, the Civil Service, consultancy, NGOs, media work, journalism, PR, and further study.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
During the course, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in study trips, internships, and placements (see our Careers and Employability pages).
You’ll also have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and experience the political climate of another country first-hand by spending a semester studying abroad.
For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll begin to study politics at university with compulsory modules that will help you build a strong foundation of knowledge. You’ll study political institutions and actors, political communication and the media, as well as politics on the international stage. You'll also explore the ideologies that structure our understanding of politics, such as liberalism, feminism, conservatism, and socialism.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
We combine teaching methods, such as lectures, which will provide you with an overview of the topic, and small-group seminars, where you’ll debate the work you’ve been reading that week. Our teaching is focused, interactive, and up to date with current events. You’ll learn crucial skills, such as how to summarise and analyse information, how to develop and critique arguments, and how to speak in public. In your first year, you’ll learn about key events, concepts and topical debates, and the foundations of political ideas.
Independent Learning
You’ll prepare for your weekly teaching with guided tasks, such as preparing answers to seminar questions or completing small weekly writing tasks which will help you to develop study skills. You'll also complete longer assessments like essays, presentations and projects.
How you'll spend your time:
- Teaching: 25%
- Independent Learning: 75%
Assessment
Our assessments are predominantly at the individual level, with some group assessment. These include essays and other written assessment including mini-essays and critical summaries, literature reviews or reading logs.
Structure
In the second year, you'll take core modules that will give you analytical tools, enabling you to pursue your independent study and research. You’ll examine the political world systematically, by comparing political processes and forms of government from across the world.
You’ll also be encouraged to specialise by choosing modules that focus on more specific ideas, topics or geographic regions that interest you. This will help shape your expertise based on the things that you feel passionate about.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional D Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional G Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll explore different areas of politics and begin specialising, both geographically and theoretically. You'll learn how to develop and answer your research questions.
Independent Learning
You’ll write longer pieces and start to develop your research skills and areas of interest. You'll have the opportunity to take modules with a range of different assessments including writing policy briefs, reflective essays, and research reports.
How you'll spend your time:
- Teaching: 25%
- Independent Learning: 75%
Assessment
You can choose from modules with a range of assessment formats. Most of our assessment is at the individual level and is written coursework. You can also take modules involving assessment by presentation, group projects, including presentations, and a range of new types of writing including policy briefs, reports and select committee submissions.
Structure
In your third year, you’ll become increasingly independent in your learning. You'll be able to choose from a broad range of optional modules. In addition, supervised by our staff, you could write a dissertation on a topic of your choice, or undertake a group research project. The final year will provide you with the analytical, theoretical and methodological tools you’ll need to excel in your future career.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 30, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 30)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 30)Optional D Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 30)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Your third year is about specialisation: focusing on the topics that you want to explore. If you choose to write a dissertation, you'll select your topic and methodology, guided by one of our experts. You could also develop other skills, such as writing policy briefings, research papers, or submissions to select committees.
Independent Learning
By year 3, you’ll be able to develop, research and present your ideas on politics. This could include writing a dissertation or external research project under the supervision of an academic expert.
How you'll spend your time:
- Teaching: 20%
- Independent Learning: 80%
Assessment
You’ll have the opportunity to write a dissertation of 8-9000 words, or do a group research project. You’ll be under the guidance of an academic expert throughout this process.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
Contextual offer: BBC
BTEC
DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Contextual: DD plus C at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
Contextual: D plus BC at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Not accepted
Foundation Year Options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as BA (Hons) Politics (with a Foundation Year)
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall.
Irish Leaving Certificate
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AAABB or above.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BCC or above.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students
- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
There is so much you can do with a Politics degree! A degree in Politics from UEA will equip you with the knowledge and skills for a large choice of careers directly related to politics, and well beyond. You’ll be particularly suited to careers demanding high-level communication skills.
You could find yourself working for an international organisation, parliament or political party, or the civil service. Or you could take your skills and apply them to journalism, marketing, advertising, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, think-tanks or research institutions.
You could even choose to return to academia to study for a postgraduate degree.
Careers
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- Policy analyst
- Subject specialist/Researcher
- Lobbyist
- Non-government organisations
- Communication officer
- Activism
Discover more on our Careers webpages.