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Choosing your undergraduate politics course at Bath

Explore our politics degrees to find the right one for you. Our courses combine politics with subjects like international relations, languages, and economics.

A politics degree to match your ambitions

Compare our courses and find out what makes each one unique. They all aim to prepare you for a range of careers, as well as postgraduate study that could lead to academic research or teaching.


BA (Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages

  • Study global social, political and cultural challenges and develop fluency in another language
  • Choose from French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Russian or Spanish
  • Immerse yourself in the culture of countries where your chosen language is spoken by working or studying abroad
  • Future career opportunities include: national, European and international organisations, banking and finance, and media

BSc (Hons) Politics and International Relations

  • Develop the skills and know-how needed to understand and respond to contemporary political challenges
  • Gain in-depth knowledge of politics and global affairs at local, domestic, regional and international levels
  • Future career opportunities include: national, European and international organisations and businesses; banking and finance; media; public administration; NGOs

BSc (Hons) Politics with Economics

  • Build a deep understanding of how and why some of the biggest global decisions are made
  • Use fundamental economic and political theory to critically analyse major issues like terrorism and climate change, and explore how society can respond to them
  • Future career opportunities include: banking and finance, government and public sector, international political organisations, think tanks, and NGOs

BSc (Hons) Economics with Politics

  • Delve into the complex connections between society, the government, and the economy
  • Study a wide range of the economic and political theories to enhance your understanding of the causes and effects of regional, national, and global challenges
  • Future career opportunities include: banking and finance, government and public sector, technology sector, accounting, and consultancy

Why pick Bath for politics?

We are known for excellence in teaching and research, and outstanding graduate prospects. Our degrees are designed to give you the skills that can open up a wide range of career opportunities.


Boost your experience with a professional placement


All of our politics degrees are available as a four-year option with a professional placement.

Professional placements are your chance to work within a real-world business or organisation and use the skills you'll gain during your studies in a practical setting.

They allow you to try a career path you're interested in and enhance your employability. Employers often value placements, so you could give yourself an advantage in the job market.

You’ll develop skills in areas like planning, problem-solving, decision making and project management. Sometimes you can gain professional qualifications during placements.

If you choose to do a placement, you’ll receive dedicated support from our placements team 1.

Why doing a placement may give you an advantage

Experience a different culture by studying abroad


Studying abroad is offered on all our politics degrees. This gives you the opportunity to experience a new culture and broaden your experience.

If you do study abroad, you'll spend your time with one of our partner institutions. These are in countries like Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea or the United States 2.

You will study units that complement your chosen Bath degree to deepen your knowledge and gain new skills.

We offer support and guidance to help you make the most of your study abroad time.

Explore why studying abroad might be right for you
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Working and studying abroad as part of BA (Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages


Spending time in a country that uses your chosen language is a fundamental part of BSc (Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages.

Because of this, you'll spend time abroad in Year 3 doing a professional placement, studying, or teaching English as a language assistant in a school or college 3. It is also possible to combine two of these options, spending half of your third year on each.

This is an important part of the course, as it allows you to be involved in day-to-day situations and conversations. This can help you to achieve fluency and develop your cultural awareness.

Find out more about working and studying abroad
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Study in a safe, student-friendly city


Our campus is situated just on the edge of what is affectionately known as one of the most beautiful cities in the UK. Bath is also the 2nd safest university town or city in England and Wales.

You’ll be surrounded by beautiful Georgian buildings and Roman history, as well as a thriving café culture with plenty of restaurants. There's also a great range of shops, music venues, museums, and a huge number of festivals planned throughout the year.

Most of Bath's key locations are in walking distance of the city centre. You can travel between the city and the campus easily by foot, bike, car, or bus.

Local transport links mean you'll be:

  • 80 minutes from London and its international airports
  • 15 minutes from Bristol
  • 2 hours from Birmingham
Find out more about student life in Bath
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Useful links

More information on a range of topics about studying at Bath.


Contact us

If you have any questions about studying at Bath, please contact us.


  1. Placement opportunities can’t be guaranteed - it is the student's responsibility to secure a placement. However, you will receive tailored support from our dedicated placement team and benefit from our established relationships with placement providers (some of which work exclusively with the University of Bath to offer placements).  

  2. Exact study abroad locations may vary from year-to-year and are dependent on the availability of suitable units. Study abroad opportunities are dependent on suitable academic performance in Year 1 and may be limited as they are subject to availability at our partner institutions.  

  3. Placement opportunities can’t be guaranteed and exact study abroad locations may vary from year-to-year. However, you will receive tailored support from our dedicated placement team and benefit from our established relationships with placement providers (some of which work exclusively with the University of Bath to offer placements) and partner institutions.