Politics
Choose Politics as part of your Combined Honours degree. Gain an understanding of the processes, institutions and ideas which shape the contemporary world
About the programme
UCAS Code: BA Combined Honours (Y001)
During your study of politics, you'll learn about a wide range of different political systems. These include those found in:
- Britain
- the United States
- the European Union
- the Middle East
- Africa
- Asia
You'll be able to examine the ideas which underpin these political systems and which have inspired political action.

You'll look at the contributions of figures such as Machiavelli and Marx through to contemporary political theorists such as John Rawls and Robert Nozick.
You also have opportunity to look beyond the nation-state. You can choose from modules which study both co-operation and conflict between states and other actors in the international realm.
Offered by the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology.
You also have the chance to join like-minded students, with organised discussion of politically themed topics in the Politics Society
Stage 1
Students study either 40 or 60 credits from the list below in Stage 1.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
---|---|---|---|
POL1015 | UK Politics: Westminster and Beyond | 20 | 2 |
POL1032 | Key Concepts in International Politics | 20 | 2 |
POL1046 | Order & Disorder: The Shaping of the 21st Century | 20 | 1 |
POL1049 | Power and Inequality | 20 | 1 |
POL1050 | Politics of Happiness | 20 | 1 |
POL1051 | Comparative Politics | 20 | 2 |
Stage 2
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 2.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
---|---|---|---|
POL2012 | Politics of the Middle East (Capped at 80) | 20 | 2 |
POL2017 | Becoming a Political Researcher | 20 | 2 |
POL2022 | Government and Politics of the USA (Capped at 120) | 20 | 1 |
POL2034 | The Politics and Policy of the European Union | 20 | 1 |
POL2035 | Power and Poverty in the Global Economy | 20 | 1 |
POL2046 | A Global History of Political Thought | 20 | 2 |
POL2082 | Political Violence and the Modern State | 20 | 1 |
POL2090 | Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Social Issues in Contemporary Political Philosophy | 20 | 1 |
POL2111 | Democracy or Autocracy? | 20 | 2 |
POL2113 | Sex, Gender and Power | 20 | 2 |
POL2114 | The Politics of Race (Capped at 80) | 20 | 2 |
Stage 3
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 3.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
---|---|---|---|
POL3046 | Final Year Dissertation (Note: this is only offered to those taking Politics as a Joint or a Major subject) | 40 | 1&2 |
POL3047* | Project in Politics Semester 1 | 20 | 1 |
POL3048* | Project in Politics Semester 2 | 20 | 2 |
POL3050 | The Ethics of Killing | 20 | 1 |
POL3055 | Who and why vote for far right? (Pre-requisite POL2017 or equivalent i.e. SOC2069 or SOC2070) | 20 | 1 |
POL3092 | Political Parties and Elections in the UK | 20 | 2 |
POL3103 | Community-based Research in Politics (Capped at 20) | 40 | 1&2 |
POL3117 | Politics of Immigration (Capped at 80) | 20 | 2 |
POL3125 | Politics of Citizenship | 20 | 2 |
POL3128 | Gender and Sexuality in the Middle East | 20 | 2 |
POL3132 | Public Policy: Theories, Cases, Skills | 20 | 1 |
POL3133 | Politics as a Way of Life | 20 | 2 |
POL3135 | Power and Policy | 20 | 1 |
* POL3047 Project in Politics: Semester 1 or POL3048 Project in Politics: Semester 2 cannot be taken if students are taking POL3046 Dissertation in Politics
* POL3047 Project in Politics: Semester 1 and POL3048 Project in Politics: Semester 2 cannot be taken together.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about choosing this subject as part of your Combined Honours degree, contact us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Subject adviser
Dr David Walker - School of Geography, Politics and Sociology