BA Jt Hons UCAS Code
Would you like to explore contemporary political issues, alongside the pressing philosophical debates of our day?
Our BA Politics and Philosophy degree gives you the chance to explore new ideas, challenge what you think you know and engage with the political and ethical issues that define modern life.
You鈥檒l develop a deep understanding of current affairs while sharpening skills such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning and effective problem solving.
Would you like to explore contemporary political issues, alongside the pressing philosophical debates of our day?
Our BA Politics and Philosophy degree gives you the chance to explore new ideas, challenge what you think you know and engage with the political and ethical issues that define modern life.
You鈥檒l develop a deep understanding of current affairs while sharpening skills such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning and effective problem solving.
In politics, you will study core areas such as comparative politics, political theory and global security, examining how power operates and how decisions are made on the local, national and international stages.
In philosophy, you will learn to apply rigorous thought to contemporary issues, from justice and human rights to technology, identity and global responsibility.
Beyond the classroom, you will be part of a lively and ambitious student community. Join societies such as the Politics Society, Debate Society and听United Nations Society听to make friends, attend trips and build valuable skills for your CV.
You will also have opportunities to hear from influential external speakers, giving you rare insights into global security, diplomacy and policy making. Previous guests have included Sir John Sawers, former Chief of MI6, and Major General Tim Cross.
By combining politics with philosophy, you will gain a broad, adaptable skills set that opens doors across the private, public and charitable sectors. Graduates from our school have gone on to become parliamentary assistants, councillors, civil servants, researchers, policy analysts and consultants. Many now work at leading organisations including AON, the BBC, Citibank, the Civil Service, the House of Commons and UNISON.
This online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.听
We're in the top 20 in the UK for both Politics and Philosophy (Complete University Guide 2026).
Politics and international relations graduates earned a median salary of 拢39,400 five years after graduation (LEO data from 2022/23 tax year, published in 2025).
Teaching is primarily by lecture and seminar. In lectures, all students taking the module are introduced to a topic. In seminars, students are split into smaller groups to discuss prepared work.
This means that one hour you might be sitting in a big lecture hall listening to a lecture; the next, you could be in a small group trying to work out the meaning of a key political text or tract. In seminars, we also utilise individual and group presentations, films, role-plays and simulations.听
As part of our commitment to research-led teaching excellence, we make widespread use of internet-based teaching strategies to complement lectures and seminars. These may be core texts, chapters, articles, video clips or visual materials such as propaganda posters and election manifestoes. This approach will enable you to develop crucial IT skills as you learn the discipline of politics.听
The majority of teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials and seminars.听
We aim to provide a learning environment that will enrich your life and live up to the ideal of a global education. You will engage directly in our common pursuit of cutting-edge, policy relevant and curiosity-driven research.听
We present you with a variety of different challenges and types of assessment, including exams, essays, verbal presentations and projects. Each unit is assessed separately, meaning there are no daunting final exams at the end of your degree.听
You will be given a copy of our marking criteria which provides guidance on how your work is marked. Your work will be marked in a timely manner and you will receive feedback on the tasks you are given.听
We present you with a variety of different challenges and types of assessment, including exams, essays, verbal presentations and projects. Each unit is assessed separately, meaning there are no daunting final exams at the end of your degree.听听
You'll have at least a weekly average of the following timetabled hours through lectures, seminars and workshops, tutorials or supervision.听
Discover the differences and similarities between modern democratic states. This module covers everything from political systems and constitutions to voting behaviour and the challenges facing democracies today.听You'll听learn to compare political systems and understand the dynamics of democratic and authoritarian regimes.
Dive into the world of political thought with this module. Explore the ideas of famous political thinkers and see how their concepts shape today's politics.听You'll听discuss key political ideas and historical events, making connections between past and present.
This module offers an introduction to key topics in practical philosophy. You鈥檒l explore areas such as moral, political, and social philosophy. Rather than just learning about the views of specific philosophers, you鈥檒l actively engage with the problems and puzzles these areas present.听
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The module encourages you to see the connections between different philosophical areas, reflecting on their methodological similarities and differences. You鈥檒l develop diverse approaches to key positions in practical philosophy, honing skills in argument reconstruction and evaluation.听
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By the end of this module, you鈥檒l have a solid foundation for reconstructing, evaluating, and articulating philosophical positions in future modules. Running alongside our autumn core module, this course ensures you gain essential knowledge and techniques in practical philosophy.听
This module offers an engaging introduction to key topics in theoretical philosophy, laying the groundwork for further study. You鈥檒l explore areas such as logic, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of mind. Rather than just learning about the views of specific philosophers, you鈥檒l actively engage with the problems and puzzles these areas present.听
The module encourages you to see the connections between different philosophical areas, reflecting on their methodological similarities and differences. You鈥檒l develop diverse philosophical skills, including logical techniques, argument reconstruction, identifying reasoning fallacies, reflecting on personal experiences, and political critique.听
Engage with key political concepts like democracy,听legitimacy听and freedom. This module challenges you to think critically about these ideas and their implications for real-world politics.听You'll听develop analytical skills and learn to build strong, justified arguments.
This module aims to introduce you to some key concepts and debates in political philosophy in general, and feminist philosophy in particular. The module will also introduce you to the idea of philosophical methodology and encourage you to think critically about what philosophy is, how philosophy is done, who is conceived of as doing philosophy, and the relationship between these things.
Come and explore some fundamental thinking about the world around us and our knowledge of it.
You'll look at questions such as:
An ideal introduction to metaphysics, epistemology, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of language.
This module is worth 10 credits.
All religions have a distinctive philosophical framework. Together we'll look at some of the common concerns such as:
As there is such a range of beliefs we'll also look at the problems of religious diversity.
Some of the sources we draw on might include (but is not limited to):
More contemporary thinkers might also be included.
With such a wide range of issues and traditions the exact mix will vary - each year will focus on a few key thinkers and themes.
This module is worth 10 credits.
This module offers inspiring content drawn from our department鈥檚 diverse research interests and current trends in the philosophical community. You鈥檒l explore topics like the philosophy of video games, the family, AI, the transhumanist movement, deepfakes, and happiness economics, alongside traditional philosophical themes.听
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Throughout the module, you鈥檒l get a taste of these topics and demonstrate your understanding through assessments like short exams. You鈥檒l also be encouraged to reflect on your philosophical interests, with the aim of sparking a passion for independent or collaborative research.听听
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This module is designed to foster engagement in higher-level philosophical activities, encouraging you to reflect on your personal interests and philosophical development.听
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By showcasing the department鈥檚 current research, the module aims to inspire interest in contemporary philosophical issues. You鈥檒l gain insights into various specialist topics that you might pursue in further modules or as research projects. The module also introduces diverse research methods in both theoretical and practical philosophy.听
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Join us to explore cutting-edge philosophical debates and develop your skills in critical thinking, research, and reflection.听
This module offers inspiring and motivating content, drawing from our staff鈥檚 diverse research interests and current trends in the philosophical community. You鈥檒l explore topics like the philosophy of video games, the family, AI, the transhumanist movement, deepfakes and happiness economics, alongside traditional philosophical themes.
Throughout the module, you鈥檒l also be encouraged to reflect on your philosophical interests, with the aim of sparking a passion for independent or collaborative research.
By showcasing the department鈥檚 current research, the module aims to inspire interest in contemporary philosophical issues. You鈥檒l gain insights into various specialist topics that you might pursue in further modules or as research projects. The module also introduces diverse research methods in both theoretical and practical philosophy.
The aim of this module is to examine the central topics in contemporary metaethics, focusing on the debates between cognitivism and non-cognitivism.
This module involves employability skills training in the Autumn semester followed by a part-time placement (one day a week, or equivalent, up to eight weeks) in an external organisation in the spring semester. The module is aimed at developing hands-on work experience and enhancing employability skills in a workplace relevant to arts graduates. Skills developed during the placement will be intrinsically relevant to various work environments.听听
Students will apply for placements in relevant local organisations from an established list created by the faculty placement team, but may also use personal contacts to arrange their own placement, subject to approval. Placements will be provided across a range of sectors relevant to the arts including the creative and cultural industries, media, marketing, heritage and museums, the music industry, education, charitable and third-sector organisations, but are subject to change each year. In the autumn term lectures and workshops will be organised across the faculty, with input by the Careers and Employability Service to provide learning support on professional development and skills assessment, networking, successful applications and interviews, self-presentation and self-reflection.听 听
Assessment will comprise an online portfolio of materials, including application materials, reflective writing and a research report situating the work and function of the placement organisation in the context of the wider sector of which it is a part. Throughout, students will be encouraged to reflect individually and in groups on their own employability, and plan for their ongoing professional development.听
We look at some fundamental metaphysical questions about the cosmos. A selection of the following topics will be studied:
Understand the听central role听of political parties in the British political system. This module examines the structures,听ideologies听and fortunes of British political parties, helping you grasp their importance in shaping government policy and public opinion.
What if the entirety of our thinking is simply an expression of the human condition? What if we can never think truth as it is in itself, but only as it appears to minds such as ours? The continental tradition of radical philosophy was inaugurated by Immanuel Kant鈥檚 critical turn to the subject: that everything we know and understand is through the categories we impose. How, then, do we come up with our categories and questions?
In this introductory overview of German and French philosophies in the 19th and 20th centuries, we explore lessons in critical thinking which are often neglected or never learned. Thinking is situated in relation to the human condition through themes such as temporality, finitude, historical situation, embodiment, relationality, gender, and politics. The module will introduce a selection of canonical thinkers who have radically transformed human understanding of life, such as Immanuel Kant, Henri Bergson, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, Hannah Arendt, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Emmanuel Levinas, and Luce Irigaray.
Investigate the principles of democracy and the arguments of its critics. This module uses primary sources to explore historical and contemporary debates in democratic theory, helping you develop analytical skills to assess its merits and limitations.
Doing an arts and humanities degree means you鈥檒l gain the skills which are essential for changing the world we live in. Not only that, you are uniquely positioned to understand people, processes and culture.
This module lets you apply that knowledge to solve a real-life problem. The aim is for you to develop your understanding of your degree, and the range of careers open to you.
You will work in an interdisciplinary team on a real project connected to impact, which we define as our ability to 鈥榤ake change happen鈥. These projects have been designed by individuals, groups and organisations that are looking to make a difference to our world. This might be about sustainability, business, equality, culture, politics or society.
Teams will be given a project brief. You will then be guided through how to shape a project, and how to work as a team and deliver results. This will give you the employment skills and experience to show how you can make an impact as an arts and humanities graduate.
This module is worth 20 credits.
Explore how national identities are expressed and contested in everyday life. This module examines the role of identity in local and international contexts, teaching you key approaches in qualitative research and data analysis.
In this module we will approach these classic questions of political philosophy by examining the work of a number of important past political philosophers. This might include Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau but this isn't a fixed list - it may vary according to particular issues and student input.
We will look at both:
This module is worth 20 credits.
Explore global security issues from the Cold War to the present day. This module covers everything from state use of force and cyber听security听to human security and nuclear weapons, building on first-year modules to deepen your theoretical and empirical knowledge of international security.
Discover the factors that influence voting behaviour in elections. This module explores whether voters base their choices on party policies, past successes听or other factors like media coverage and party leaders.听You'll听gain skills to evaluate arguments about electoral behaviour.
The module aims to build on the skills learned in 1st year PHIL1012 Reasoning, Argument and Logic, acting as a bridge to 3rd year PHIL3011 Advanced Logic. You will develop your knowledge of modern logics and their skills in giving formal proofs. You will develop the ability to apply these logical skills to abstract philosophical questions, particularly in metaphysics and philosophy of language.
糖心原创 the evolution of international political economy (IPE) with a focus on development. This module introduces different theoretical approaches and examines the empirical development of the global economy since World War II, preparing you for advanced studies in international relations.
The module examines major events and themes in 20th-century international politics. The module is taught from the disciplinary standpoint of International Relations rather than that of International History. Various theoretical perspectives and debates are, therefore, brought to bear on explaining and understanding the events of the last century.
Aristotle declared that 鈥淎ll men by nature desire to know鈥. But we allegedly live in a post-truth world characterized by fake news, alternative facts, and scorn for expertise. These are major dangers to our way of life, and dealing with them requires epistemology. Epistemology is the study of such topics as knowledge, evidence, and justification.
In this module, we'll explore issues such as: the nature and value of knowledge, the threat of skepticism, the role of testimony in acquiring knowledge, and intellectual virtues and vices. Some questions we will tackle include: What is knowledge? Why should we care about it? What is our justification for believing things? Do we know that we鈥檙e not brains in vats?
Where does the mind meet the world? In sensory perception.
By perceiving, we become conscious of a reality beyond our minds. Or听do we?
Mind and Consciousness explores perception and perceptual consciousness.
It asks question such as:
By the end of this module, you'll be able to:
This module is worth 20 credits.
We all have opinions about moral matters. But for most of us, our moral opinions are not very well-organised. Indeed, upon reflection we may discover that some of our beliefs about morality are inconsistent.
Normative ethics is the branch of moral philosophy that attempts to systematize everyday judgements about the rightness and wrongness of actions.
It's a wide area of study and we'll focus on two traditions within it:
By the end you'll have a clear understanding of:
You'll also be able to:
This module is worth 20 credits.
Together we'll explore these philosophical issues and more. By the end of the module you'll:
This module is worth 20 credits.
Gain a comprehensive introduction to contemporary Chinese politics and public policy. This module covers the evolution of authoritarianism, the structure of the party-state听and key policy areas, helping you understand the challenges of governance in China.
Examine key themes in political theory, such as justice and equality. This module looks at contemporary issues like wealth distribution, civil听disobedience听and environmental concerns, encouraging you to think critically about the role of justice in global politics.
This module addresses issues in social metaphysics and social epistemology. We will examine the metaphysics of social kinds and explore different accounts of social kinds that have been offered. We will also examine how the fact that we are situated in a social world can affect what we can or cannot know or understand about ourselves, each other, and the social world itself. We will also address ethical and/or political issues that arise once we take account of social metaphysics and social epistemology.
In particular, we might consider whether there are special kinds of injustices that arise due to our social reality. What is epistemic injustice and how does it relate to social injustice? How do certain privileged groups structure the social world that create and maintain privilege and patterns of ignorance that perpetuate that privilege? What are some obligations that we have, given metaphysical and epistemological concerns we have explored?听
This module aims to give you an understanding of the historical and contemporary debate about the nature of space, time, and motion. By the end of the module, you will be able to understand how scientists and philosophers posed and dealt with metaphysical and epistemological questions related to the nature of space, time and motion, and explain how their answers relate to debates in the contemporary philosophy of physics.
The module will include an exploration of various theories of reference and meaning, paying particular attention to the classic theories of singular terms (including Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, and Kripke). We then turn our attention to pragmatics, and we cover context-dependence, Grice's theory of implicature and Austin's theory of speech acts. In the final part of this module, we may assess various problems in philosophy of language and logic, primarily having to do with the interactions between semantics and pragmatics and the notions of lying and misleading.
Delve into the current debates in European politics, from party systems and elections to populism and immigration. This module covers both long-established and newer democracies, providing a comprehensive understanding of the political and social changes in Europe.
We'll examine the Asian philosophical traditions, especially those of India, China, and Japan.
These Asian traditions address familiar philosophical themes - in ethics, epistemology, and aesthetics - but often approach them in ways that seem unfamiliar.
You may well find your culturally inherited presuppositions challenged. This is good! As global power relationships change understanding culture is vital to meaningful communication.
Topics we may cover include:
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This module is worth 20 credits.
This module investigates different kinds of contemporary logic, as well as their uses in philosophy. We will investigate the syntax and semantics of various logics, including first order logic, modal logics, and three-valued logics, as well as ways to apply formal techniques from these logics to philosophical topics such as possibility and necessity, vagueness, and the Liar paradox.
We鈥檒l cover ways to reason and construct proofs using the logics we study, and also ways to reason about them. We鈥檒l look at proofs regarding the limits of formal logic, including proofs of soundness, completeness, and decidability.
This module is a discussion of some philosophical problems pertaining to art. Topics could include definitions of art, the objectivity versus the subjectivity of aesthetic evaluations, emotional response to art, the ontological status of artworks, and Walton's theory of make-believe.
This module aims to promote a deeper understanding of philosophical issues pertaining to art. By the end of the module, you should be able to discuss and evaluate different views of the expressive power of art, to explain certain current views on the status of aesthetic evaluations, and to present the main contemporary viewpoints pertaining to the nature of artworks.
Dive into the key themes and debates in African politics. This module covers nationalist resistance, theories of the African state, political听economy听and relations with former colonial powers.听You'll听explore contemporary political developments and understand the complexities of African politics from multiple perspectives.
This module is about the ideal of authenticity, roughly: The ideal of being true to oneself. Questions on the agenda might include:
We will explore questions like those a-historically, but we will also look at how they have been handled by certain historical thinkers, especially the 19th and 20th Century Existentialists. Historical thinkers liable to be on the agenda include:
Any reassessments will take the form of coursework.听听
This module will focus on a critical examination of core aspects of Buddhist thinking, with emphasis on some of its basic psychological, spiritual, and metaphysical conceptions.
These include, in particular: the origin and nature of suffering; the no-self thesis; enlightenment; consciousness; experiential knowing; and the doctrine of Emptiness (the lack of inherent nature in all things and impermanence).
Explore China's role as a rising superpower. This module examines China's foreign policy, political and economic relations with major powers听and its global influence, helping you understand the dynamics of China's interactions with the world.
This module will help you develop skills in how to communicate philosophy through a variety of different media by exploring two philosophical ideas and their potential applications, and assessing your ability to demonstrate such applications through short projects, including extensive use of peer-to-peer feedback in small groups.
We will look at how philosophy can be communicated through such forms as legal documentation, press releases, presentations, lesson plans, funding bids, posters and short stories
In society we do things with words. We can use language to lie, to praise, to convince, and to insult. We use words and language to think about sexual consent and sexual desire, and discuss the ethics of sex and love. There are words we use every day (鈥渓ove鈥, 鈥渟ex鈥, 鈥済ender鈥, 鈥渄isability鈥, 鈥減orn鈥) which we might struggle to define.听听听
This module uses methods from feminist philosophy of language and/or the philosophy of sex to investigate these issues. We will consider some of the ethical and political ramifications of speech and language and how it relates to our everyday lives.听听听
The focus will vary year to year depending on staff availability and research interests. For an idea of what you will study, representative topics include:听
how we should define and use certain terms (e.g. 鈥榳oman鈥, 鈥榙isability鈥 鈥榣ove鈥 鈥榮ex鈥 鈥榗onsent鈥 鈥榮exual desire鈥 鈥榪ueer鈥)
accounts of what it is to lie
accounts of the social effects of language (slurs, dog whistles and propaganda)
the harms of speech and how to balance those with the right to speech
the different ways in which people can be silenced
the ethics of pornography
the ethics of various sexual preferences (e.g. BDSM, racial preferences, gendered preferences)
This module enables you to undertake a sustained piece of research and analysis into a subject within the discipline of politics and international relations.
In this module we'll ask questions like:
As part of this we'll cover topics such as:
This module is worth 20 credits.
Examine the role of political ideas and ideologies in contemporary Britain. This module looks at how mainstream and non-mainstream parties and social movements influence policies and practices, helping you understand the significance of political ideologies.
Politics and truth have always had a complicated relationship. Lies, bullshit, spin, and propaganda are nothing new.
Polarization is on the rise in many democracies and political disagreements have spread to disputes about obvious matters of fact.
But have we really entered the era of 'post-truth' politics? Is debate now framed largely by appeals to emotion disconnected from the facts?
In this module, we'll explore questions such as:
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This module is worth 20 credits.
Explore the relevance of 'left' and 'right' as organising principles in contemporary politics. This module examines their use in party competition, policy formation, public听opinion听and media consumption, helping you understand their role in linking mass populations and political elites.
Karl Marx's thoughts and words have had an enormous impact on history. Revolutions have been fought, economic policies pursued and artistic movements established by followers (and opponents) of Marxism.
Together we'll examine some of Mark's original writing and explore his thinking. Specific themes we'll cover include:
By the end of the module you should have a good overview of Marx's attempt to synthesise German philosophy, French political theory, and British economics.
This module is worth 20 credits.
Understand the relationship between the Middle East and the rest of the world. This module covers key events and themes like the Cold War, the Arab Spring听and terrorism, providing a deeper understanding of the region's contemporary challenges.
This module will consider mind, psychology, and mental health from a philosophical angle. The module will cover a range of exciting and fundamental topics in the philosophy of mind and psychology (chosen from topics such as, the social mind, animal minds, the nature of consciousness, the mind-body problem, the emotions, imagination, pain, will and action, belief, perception, mind as machine, and artificial intelligence - selected topics will vary from year to year). We will always ask how these relate to mental health.
But the module will also have a more specific focus on mental health as we will take the tools of philosophy of mind and psychology to mental health: we will consider how philosophy of mind and psychology can help us better understand mental health, but also how reflection on mental health can impact work in philosophy of mind and psychology.
So the module will also cover content chosen from topics and areas such as the nature of mental health (and mental illness), delusion, thought-insertion, therapy, self-deception and the philosophy of specific mental disorders (for example., addiction, schizophrenia, depression) - specific topics varying from year to year.
So, in sum the module will combine focus on specific topics in:
Illness, ageing, death and dying are universal experiences. Yet discussion about them often only happens in times of emotional distress.
Together we'll explore philosophical issues related to human mortality in an open, supportive and compassionate way.
As well as a deeper understanding of the issues you will also build capacity to think sensitively and humanely about the human experience of ageing, illness, and dying.
Typical topics might include:
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This module is worth 20 credits.
A dissertation of 7,000 words on a philosophical topic approved by the Module Convenor. The supervisor is not permitted to read and comment more than once on one draft of 7,000 words. Enrolment is by permission of the module convenor.
This module covers questions such as:
Much of our life is filled with compulsory work but when free of obligation, when at leisure, we play in many different ways. We voluntarily chose to engage with the arbitrary rules and restrictions of games. We roll dice and push the pieces round a board. We twiddle thumbs and shoot fictional computer game zombies. We get involved in organised physical activities, sports such as football or athletics. We seek to escape our everyday lives by hiking up mountains in the wild, or by drinking and dancing in nightclubs. We may play with others, seeking friendship, intimacy or sex. We may relax alone, reading literature or practising art. We may mix these different activities together.听
Analyse political challenges and crises in the global economy. This module covers issues like sovereign default, free听trade听and climate change, using theories from international relations and political economy to understand global politics.
糖心原创 the development and functioning of political parties and party systems in democratic states worldwide. This module focuses on post-transitional democracies, using analytical concepts and empirical indicators to understand party organisation and system stability.
This module involves a part-time placement (one day a week) in an external organisation, and is aimed at developing hands-on work experience and employability skills in a workplace relevant to students of politics. Pre-placement training will be provided via three half-day workshops at the beginning of the module.
Each placement will be arranged by the work placement officer. Placements will be provided by organisations involved in private, public and third sector organisations, such as the civil service, charities and political parties.
Departmental mentoring will take the form of a weekly drop-in tutorial with the module convenor, in which experiences are shared and work is undertaken on the assessment tasks. Group presentations will occur during the final four hour workshop, at which time each group will critically reflect on their experiences of the ethos and goals of their host organisation.
This module seeks to introduce students to theories of race and racialisation, including, but not limited to, postcolonial theory, orientalism, and intersectionality. After learning the basics of these theoretical lenses, students will study the politics of race in different country contexts through countries鈥 histories of colonialism and imperialism as well as contemporary racial and ethnic disparities. 鈥
Explore the politics and discourses around extremism and the multiple responses to extremism by states, the international system听and civil society actors. This module covers various ideologies and approaches to countering terrorism and extremism, helping you understand the politics and ethics of extremism from multiple vantage points.
The Anglo-American so-called 'Special Relationship' has provoked controversy since the term was coined after World War Two. To some commentators it has represented an attempt by the UK to hide its decline by lofty rhetoric and becoming the 'poodle' of a Superpower. To others, it has been a relationship that has served the interests of both countries and provided a foundation for Western cooperation. This module explores the salient aspects of a relationship that has been built around security, conventional and nuclear.听
Understand听the international role of the European Union. This module covers the foreign policy, security and economic policies of the EU and EU member states.
Investigate the ethical foundations and moral justifications of capitalism. This module examines the benefits and criticisms of capitalism, exploring issues like poverty,听exploitation听and environmental destruction.听You'll听develop analytical skills to assess the moral implications of economic orders.
Investigate the relationship between ethnic groups and political conflict. This module examines the rise of nationalism, the role of identity in populist mobilisation听and the strategies governments use to manage diversity, using examples from Asia, Africa,听Europe听and North America.
Why are some states better at protecting, respecting, and fulfilling their human rights obligations, while others are not? Understanding the conditions under which governments protect human rights is crucial for the field of International Relations and policy makers alike. This module will discuss cutting-edge research within and beyond the human rights field.
You will learn about autocratic state behaviour, safeguards within democratic systems, the campaigns and challenges of NGOs and international organisations, and the wide-ranging effects of globalisation across the different categories and dimensions of human rights. The module will apply theory and empirical insights from these different fields of inquiry in order to understand the relative protection and enjoyment of human rights across different country contexts.
By the end of the module, you will have a clear understanding about human rights research and its effects on the real world.
Understand key theories and debates on social,听political听and economic inequality. This module examines the nature of equality and inequality, exploring which inequalities are permissible and what it means to live in a society of equals.
This module explores the causes and consequences of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It examines the decision to go to war, the unfolding听conflict听and its international implications.
At the dawn of the 21st century, democracy's status worldwide is uncertain. This module examines why some countries are democratic while others are not, how democracy听emerged听and its impact on people's lives.听You'll听explore different models of democratisation and think critically about the challenges of crafting democratic regimes globally.
Understand the power and authority of the modern state. This module examines key theories from historical and contemporary political thought, helping you appreciate the relevance of these theories to modern politics.
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on LASTMODDATE. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements listed apply to 2027 entry.
A levels
AAB
IB
32 points overall
General studies, citizenship studies and critical thinking
GCSE English grade 4 (C) or above
32 points overall or 665 in 3 HL certificates听
Applicants to this course may be eligible for our Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme. If you achieve a grade A in an EPQ, Core Maths*, IB Extended Essay or additional AS level qualification* then you will receive a one grade reduced offer for this course.
Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer or receive an alternative offer based on taking four A levels, your additional qualification will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.
* Additional eligibility requirements apply. View further details on this scheme.
We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.
Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.
Access to HE Diploma 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit
We make contextual offers to students who may have experienced barriers that have restricted progress at school or college. Our standard contextual offer is usually one grade lower than the advertised entry requirements, and our enhanced contextual offer is usually two grades lower than the advertised entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must have Home/UK fee status and meet specific criteria 鈥 check if you鈥檙e eligible.
At the 糖心原创, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the听mature students webpage.
We are looking for students who have the ability and motivation to benefit from our courses, and who will make a valuable contribution to the departments and the university. Candidates are considered on the basis of their UCAS application.
All applications are considered equally on merit; students are usually selected on the basis of academic excellence and personal qualities, as evidenced in their personal statement and reference. Applicants are not typically interviewed.
On this course, you can apply to study abroad at one of our partner institutions or at 糖心原创 China or 糖心原创 Malaysia.听
If you are successful in applying to study abroad, you will get the opportunity to broaden your horizons and enhance your CV by experiencing another culture. Teaching is typically in English, but there may be opportunities to study in another language if you are sufficiently fluent.听听
You can choose to study similar modules to your counterparts in the UK or expand your knowledge by taking other options.听听
The school you are joining may also have additional study abroad options available. Please visit the school website for more information.
In order to study abroad you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet the selection criteria of both the university and the partner institution. The partner institution is under no obligation to accept you even if you do meet the relevant criteria.
If your course does not have a compulsory placement, integrated year in industry or compulsory year abroad where there is already an opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of that experience, you may be able to apply to undertake an optional placement year. While it is the student鈥檚 responsibility to find and secure a placement, our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout this process. Contact听placements@nottingham.ac.uk听to find out more.听
The school/faculty you are joining may also have additional placement opportunities. Please visit the school/faculty website for more information.听听
In order to undertake an optional placement year, you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet any requirements specified by the placement host. There is no guarantee that you will be able to undertake an optional placement as part of your course.
Please be aware听that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university鈥檚 control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
This is the UK undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 27/28. It may increase for the academic year 28/29 and we will update our information once we have received confirmation of the fee.
For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), please visit our fees page.
All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.
As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.
You should be able to access most of the books you鈥檒l need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.
If you choose to take an optional placement module, you will need to factor in travel costs, which will be dependent on location of placement and proximity to term-time address.听
The 糖心原创 offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our .
Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary. Full details can be found on our .
A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements listed apply to 2027 entry.
IB
32 points overall
A levels
AAB
32 points overall or 665 in 3 HL certificates听
General studies, citizenship studies and critical thinking
GCSE English grade 4 (C) or above
Applicants to this course may be eligible for our Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme. If you achieve a grade A in an EPQ, Core Maths*, IB Extended Essay or additional AS level qualification* then you will receive a one grade reduced offer for this course.
Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer or receive an alternative offer based on taking four A levels, your additional qualification will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.
* Additional eligibility requirements apply. View further details on this scheme.
We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.
Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.
Access to HE Diploma 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit
6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our听English language policies and equivalencies听for further details.
For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.
If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a听Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP)听course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.
Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country.
International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK.听Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The 糖心原创 does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university鈥檚 Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.
At the 糖心原创, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the听mature students webpage.
We are looking for students who have the ability and motivation to benefit from our courses, and who will make a valuable contribution to the departments and the university. Candidates are considered on the basis of their UCAS application.
All applications are considered equally on merit; students are usually selected on the basis of academic excellence and personal qualities, as evidenced in their personal statement and reference. Applicants are not typically interviewed.
On this course, you can apply to study abroad at one of our partner institutions or at 糖心原创 China or 糖心原创 Malaysia.听
If you are successful in applying to study abroad, you will get the opportunity to broaden your horizons and enhance your CV by experiencing another culture. Teaching is typically in English, but there may be opportunities to study in another language if you are sufficiently fluent.听听
You can choose to study similar modules to your counterparts in the UK or expand your knowledge by taking other options.听听
The school you are joining may also have additional study abroad options available. Please visit the school website for more information.
In order to study abroad you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet the selection criteria of both the university and the partner institution. The partner institution is under no obligation to accept you even if you do meet the relevant criteria.
If your course does not have a compulsory placement, integrated year in industry or compulsory year abroad where there is already an opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of that experience, you may be able to apply to undertake an optional placement year. While it is the student鈥檚 responsibility to find and secure a placement, our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout this process. Contact听placements@nottingham.ac.uk听to find out more.听
The school/faculty you are joining may also have additional placement opportunities. Please visit the school/faculty website for more information.听听
In order to undertake an optional placement year, you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet any requirements specified by the placement host. There is no guarantee that you will be able to undertake an optional placement as part of your course.
Please be aware听that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university鈥檚 control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using听.
For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see听our fees page.
All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.
As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.
You should be able to access most of the books you鈥檒l need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.
If you choose to take an optional placement module, you will need to factor in travel costs, which will be dependent on location of placement and proximity to term-time address.听
The 糖心原创 offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our听.
We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.
At Nottingham, you will acquire a strong academic foundation and a range of excellent intellectual and transferable skills, such as the ability to study independently, communicate effectively, as well as a number of digital competencies.
You will leave us with specialist knowledge of international issues, political systems and analytical reasoning that will enhance your global career prospects.
Combining politics with philosophy provides you with a wide range of careers to choose from. Our graduates develop careers across the private, public and charitable sectors. Private sector destinations include print and television journalism, broadcasting, television and 铿乴m production, advertising, marketing and personnel as well as the commercial and 铿乶ancial sectors. Some go into party politics as parliamentary assistants, councillors in local government and even MPs; others work for the civil service and in research and data analysis.
Third-sector careers include working for non-governmental organisations, charities and development agencies. Some graduates opt for further study or take vocational quali铿乧ations in postgraduate law or teaching.
Recent graduates have gone on to work at organisations such as AON, the BBC, Citibank, Civil Service, House of Commons, Liberal Democrats, Perrett Laver, Policy Exchange and Unison.
Politics and international relations graduates earned a median salary of 拢39,400 five years after graduation (LEO data from 2022/23 tax year, published in 2025).
Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service will work with you to boost your employability even further 鈥 helping with job and course applications, finding relevant work experience and hosting events that connect you with a wide range of potential employers.
The 糖心原创 is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain鈥檚 leading graduate employers.
We鈥檙e also the top UK university for the number of graduates entering highly skilled jobs (HESA Graduate Outcomes survey data 2021鈥2025 for full-time, UK, UG and PG graduates).
From financial support to student life and accommodation, discover more about the Nottingham experience.
At University Park, nature, architecture and student life come together on one unforgettable campus. Explore beautiful green spaces, unwind by the lake and enjoy a vibrant sense of community. It鈥檚 the perfect setting for an extraordinary university experience where you can learn, grow and thrive.
Head to our Help and Support hub for frequently asked questions and details of how to get in touch.
