Develop your knowledge of politics and economics. You’ll explore contemporary topics at national and global levels.
This degree combines the study of political science with engagement in global politics and governance. It will appeal if you’re interested in issues of global power, decision-making, democracy and inequality.
You’ll cover topics such as global development, political ideologies and economic thought. This will be explored through the study of a range of contemporary economic and political challenges facing international society.
The course will provide you with a solid understanding of politics. The present day focus means you’ll look at both national and international issues, such as terrorism and climate change.
Year 1 focuses on concepts and theories relating to both politics and international relations. You’ll explore studies of recent history and contemporary political and economic systems.
In your second and final years, you will deepen your knowledge in core subjects and you may select from optional topics. You will also undertake a year-long, supervised dissertation in politics.
You’ll learn from academics with expertise in politics. Their international collaborations and research activities feed into undergraduate teaching and contribute to your learning experience.
Our politics graduates are found in a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector jobs. Popular destinations are jobs in the banking and finance industries, the media, public administration, and national, European and international political institutions and organisations.
Recruiters include :
Many graduates have chosen to pursue an academic career with further study.
Find out what our graduates go on to do.
This course lasts 4 years. It starts in September 2018 and ends in 2022. Induction week starts on 24 September 2018.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units these allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.
As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 60 credits (ECTS) in each academic year. These are usually split into 30 credits for each semester you study. Sixty credits are the equivalent of 1200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.
These compulsory units are currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new units.
You can choose from a number of optional units in years 1, 2 and 4. Here are some examples of the units currently being studied by our students.
The placement year is an opportunity for you to use the theory you have learnt in a practical context. You will learn about an organisation and its area of work. This is an excellent opportunity to test potential career paths. Sometimes permanent jobs are offered to our students.
You’ll develop skills such as teamwork, planning, problem solving, decision making and project management. Employers value a year of professional work and you’ll gain an advantage in the job market.
Over the years we have built contacts with a large number of organisations that can provide the high standard of training we expect. Recent student placements include: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, American Express, Lloyds Banking Group, Disney Corporation, Nike Inc. and Airbus.
Placement opportunities may not be guaranteed. Find out more about placements or view an overview video.
This average assessment breakdown is based on a typical choice of optional units. Your specific unit choices will determine the actual breakdown of assessment methods that you will experience.
% written exam
% practical exam
% coursework
| Year | Written Exam | Practical Exam | Coursework |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 45% | 0% | 55% |
| Year 2 | 20% | 0% | 80% |
| Year 3 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
| Year 4 | 24% | 0% | 76% |
This average contact time breakdown is based on a typical choice of optional units. Scheduled learning and teaching may include: lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Your optional unit choices will determine your actual personal contact hours.
% time in scheduled learning and teaching
% time in independent study
% time in placement/year abroad
| Year | Scheduled | Independent | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 19% | 81% | 0% |
| Year 2 | 19% | 81% | 0% |
| Year 3 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
| Year 4 | 16% | 84% | 0% |
“I’ve always wanted to work within parliament and now that it’s just crystalised it’s the place I want to work.”
Your application, especially your personal statement, should demonstrate your enthusiasm for politics and economics. This might include relevant reading, involvement in political or debating societies, voluntary work for charities, or activism for a political party or an NGO.
You do not need to have studied Politics before to be suitable for this course, and your relevant experiences and interests are more important than which subjects you have previously studied.
If you are taking A levels, we may be unable to consider an A level in your own language (unless it is English or Welsh). We do not accept A levels in General Studies. If you are taking a GCE A level in a science subject, you will need to pass any separate science practical endorsement.
Select the country where your qualification comes from.
AAA in 3 A level subjects.
Preference for applicants who provide evidence of a strong interest in politics.
A level General Studies will not be considered. We may be unable to consider an A level in your own language (unless it is English or Welsh).
AAB plus one of the following:
Students presenting with one of the above project qualifications should receive both the typical offer and the alternative.
36 points overall and 6, 6, 6 in three Higher Level subjects.
Typical offer:
Pass the Access to HE Diploma, with at least 36 credits achieved from units achieved at Distinction and 3 credits achieved at Merit or above.
Typical offer:
D*DD in a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF)/ BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF) in a relevant subject area.
If we make you an offer, we may specify particular units in which you will need to achieve Distinctions. You should be studying units that provide preparation for numerical study.
See the ‘Combinations of qualifications’ section for information about combinations of A level and BTEC qualifications that we can consider.
Typical offer:
D3, D3, D3
Alternative offer:
D3, D3, M1 plus one of the following:
Students presenting with one of the above project qualifications should receive both the typical offer and the alternative.
Typically, we would be looking for you to have studied units worth at least 120 credits, including at least 30 credits at Level 2. We would generally be looking for you to have taken relevant units in essay-based subjects.
This information is a guide and all students applying with Open University Credits will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We will consider your application carefully and take note of any previous qualifications or relevant work experience. Please contact us to discuss your profile prior to making an application.
Typical offer:
Pass units worth 120 credits, including a minimum of a Pass 2 with 75% in a relevant Level 2 unit.
Please note that taking OU credits may be counted as degree-level study by the Student Loans Company and therefore may be counted as previous study and have an impact on your ability to access student loans/grants for the entirety of your chosen degree. We recommend that you discuss this in detail with the SLC before following this progression route to the University of Bath.
Typical offer:
AA in Advanced Highers plus AAAAB in Scottish Highers.
Your application will be considered individually based on the particular combination of qualifications and subjects that you are taking.
We can consider combinations of accepted qualifications, such as A levels and a BTEC:
We can also consider combinations that are not listed and that do not include A levels. You should read the information about essential and preferred subjects and subject combinations. We cannot consider different qualifications in the same subject area.
GCSE Mathematics grade A or 7 plus GCSE English grade C or 4 (or equivalent from category C).
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
5, 5, 5 in 3 APs.
We accept no more than one Calculus AP as one of these 3 subjects.
You will also need to pass your High School Diploma and achieve an ACT score of 30 or SATR scores of 720 in both Mathematics and Evidence based Reading and Writing.
We do not accept SAT Subject Tests for direct entry to our degrees.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
Average of 80% across 4 subjects with 85% in one subject.
You will also need grade 8 in Mathematics in the 10th Standard if you are not studying it in the 12th Standard.
We do not accept Physical Education as one of these 4 subjects.
These requirements are for the CBSE, HSSC and ISC boards. Please contact us if you are taking this qualification with a different board.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
82% overall with 8.5 in one subject and 7.0 in Mathematics.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
15 overall with 15 in either Economics and Social Sciences or History and Geography and 12 in Mathematics.
14 overall with 15 in either Economics and Social Sciences or History and Geography and 12 in Mathematics.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
555 in 3 elective subjects plus 5 in Core Mathematics OR 5*5 in 2 elective subjects plus 5 in Core Mathematics and 5 in any Mathematics extended paper.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
H1, H1, H2, H2, H3, H3 in 6 Irish Leaving Certificates.
You will also need grade O2 in Mathematics if you are not studying it at Higher Level.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
AAA in 3 H2 level subjects.
3.4 overall.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
CGPA of 80% with 85% in an essay based subject from the final year and 75% in Maths from any year.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
19 in the Apolytirion plus AA in two A levels.
We cannot accept the Apolytirion unless it is studied alongside A levels. We do not accept Pan Hellenic examinations in place of an A level.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
19 in the Apolytirion plus AA in two A levels.
We cannot accept the Apolytirion unless it is studied alongside A levels.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
A score of 9 overall with 7 in Mathematics.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
1.4 overall with 12 in Mathematics in your final examinations.
If you do not take Mathematics in your final examinations, you will need an average grade across 4 semesters in it.
You will normally need one of the following:
If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home, EU, Island or Overseas student.
Learn how we decide fee statusSee the most recent fees for undergraduate courses.
Placement fees vary
You will normally pay a reduced tuition fee while on a placement period or studying abroad. Find out more about placement fees and study abroad fees.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.
Read more about tuition fee loansYou could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. This is in addition to your student loan and you do not have to pay it back.
Read more about bursaries and scholarshipsYou can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card, cheque, bank transfer or cash. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.
Read more about your payment optionsYou will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of text books.
Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.
If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.
We will usually assess you based on your UCAS application. If you are studying certain qualifications, such as an Access to HE Diploma or a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma, you may be invited to attend an interview as part of our selection process so we can better assess your studies and experiences.
Very exceptionally we may invite you to an interview if you have circumstances we cannot assess from an application alone.
Apply for this course through UCAS.
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