UK Universities Application Handbook

Politics What would I study and how do courses differ?

Politics is concerned with the study of power, its distribution and how it is exercised. Politics courses at university will offer students an introduction to a range of political concepts. They will consider political institutions and their workings. Most courses offer a comparative dimension, examining different national, supranational and international political systems. Political theory and ideas will be a major part of many courses. Some courses will include Political Science. Political science deals with systems of governance and the analysis of political activities, political thoughts and political behaviour. Political science comprises numerous subfields: political economy, public administration, public policy, and political methodology. Most courses last three years.

Politics is widely taught in British universities and the best are among the leading departments in the world. Departments take various names: Politics is probably the most common, but some add International Relations or International Studies. A number, as at Essex, the London School of Economics, and Strathclyde, have Departments of Government. Birmingham and Nottingham have Departments of Political Science and International Studies. Cambridge University has a Department of Politics and International Studies.

Oxford, Durham, York, Manchester, Royal Holloway and Warwick offer courses in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). Cambridge offers an inter-disciplinary course entitled: Human, Social and Political Science (HSPS). Bristol offers Politics with International Relations. Some universities, including Nottingham offer courses in Politics and Economics. Politics can also be studied alongside History or Sociology.

What are the typical entry requirements?

The typical offer for places to study Politics at university is AAA or AAB. However, many of the combined courses in Politics and International Relations require AAA. At Oxford the offer for prospective PPE and History and Politics applicants is AAA. At Cambridge (HSPS) and (History and Politics) and Durham (PPE), the grades required are A*AA. International History and Politics at Leeds is AAA. Government or International Relations at the London School of Economics is AAA. Politics at Warwick requires AAB and Politics and International Relations at Reading or Royal Holloway are ABB. Are there any essential or recommended A Levels?

For Politics at university, there are no essential A Levels. Some schools do not offer Politics A Level. However, Politics, History, Philosophy or Economics are potentially helpful, given the introduction they provide to political institutions, political ideas, the formulation of public policy and political decision-making processes. If you are applying for PPE at Oxford, you should take Maths at A Level.

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