Politics (Including Year Abroad)

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BA (Hons) Politics Degree | University of Essex

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BA (Hons) Politics

Undergraduate Course

(Including Year Abroad)

Start date

October 2026

October 2027

Study mode

Full Time

Course options

+ Year Abroad

+ Placement Year

Ask a question

Get a prospectus

Overview

Course content

Entry requirements

What's next?

Open Day Registration

How to apply

The details

Politics (Including Year Abroad)

UCAS code:

Start date:

Study mode:

Full-time

Duration:

Location:

Based in:

Government

What is the BA Politics?

The BA Politics is a three-year degree, extendable to four with an optional placement or study abroad year.

You’ll examine the structures, ideas, and decisions that shape societies, from political institutions and democratic processes to power, rights, and governance. Combining critical theory, case studies, and applied analysis, you’ll develop the insight and practical skills needed to interpret complex political issues, policy debates, and real-world political decision-making.

Why this course

The BA Politics degree trains you to go beyond opinion and ask the crucial question: how do you know? This makes the course particularly well suited to students who enjoy evidence, debate, and complexity rather than simple answers. You’ll tackle power, justice, democracy, and rights, while addressing real-world challenges like conflict, authoritarianism, and human rights.

Learn from leading academics in a department whose research informs government policy, international organisations, and public debate. You’ll see first-hand how theory informs real-world decisions - and develop practical skills in analysis, argumentation, and decision-making.

Personalise your degree with a specialist module pathway, gaining expertise in a particular area of politics that strengthens your CV, postgraduate applications, and demonstrates your command of the field.

Add a placement year or study abroad to put your learning into practice, expand your perspective, and build confidence in professional or international settings.

This course will teach you how to analyse political systems, assess policy decisions, and apply theory to real-world governance challenges. You’ll develop the confidence and skills to think critically, argue persuasively, and make informed decisions - valuable skills for a wide range of early careers, or further postgraduate study.

Who should apply

Students who want to develop transferable skills for careers in government, NGOs, business, or media

Those interested in understanding how politics works, from everyday laws to global crises

Critical thinkers who want to explore what politics is and what it should be

Future leaders in policy, advocacy, or public service seeking analytical depth

What you’ll learn

Political systems and theory: Understand how states, laws, wars, parties, and institutions shape obligations, freedom, rights, and equality

Democracy and power: Explore why people engage - or don’t - with politics, and how voting, participation, and influence operate in practice

Global politics: Examine international relations, conflict, and the politics of authoritarianism, seeing how national and global forces intersect

Applied analysis: Connect political science theory to real-world policy, governance, and decision-making challenges

Research methods: Develop rigorous quantitative and qualitative skills, with the option to enhance your expertise through advanced data analysis

Your learning experience

Optional study abroad year:Spend a year at one of our partner universities and experience another culture with the Study Abroad programme

Optional placement year: Gain professional experience in a business or organisation with university support from Placements at Essex

Placement-linked project: Undertake shorter placements alongside your studies and use your experience to inform a final-year research project

Named specialisms: As your interests develop, you can graduate with a named qualifier on your transcript and degree title, reflecting an area of additional expertise alongside your core BA Politics degree

Available specialisms

Data Science (Q-Step Pathway): Advanced quantitative and data analysis skills alongside political study, offered at only a small number of universities

Justice and Human Rights: Expertise in justice, rights and accountability across domestic and international contexts

Political Economy and Development: Expertise in how political power, economic systems and inequality shape development at local, national and global levels

Specialisms are chosen after you enrol, with academic guidance to help you decide.

Careers and outcomes

A BA Politics degree can prepare you for careers in sectors and roles such as:

Government and public service: Policy advisors, civil servants, legislative assistants, local government officers, political analysts

International organisations and diplomacy: UN, EU, NATO, Commonwealth, international development agencies, diplomatic services

Non-governmental and advocacy sectors: Human rights organisations, development charities, environmental and social justice NGOs, campaign management

Media and communications: Political journalists, commentators, policy-focused content creators, public affairs strategists

Consultancy and think tanks: Policy consultancy, political risk analysis, strategic advisory roles, research fellowships

Research and academia: Political research, data-driven policy studies, postgraduate study in politics, international relations, or public policy

Employers of graduates from this course

Graduates from this course have progressed to roles in national and international organisations, including:

House of Commons

Essex Police Force

Essex County Council

London Borough of Lewisham

Sky News

Meet the researchers

Professor John Bartle

Expert in British government and politics

Department of Government, University of Essex

With over 30 years’ experience studying British politics, Professor Bartle explores how voting behaviour, political parties, and constitutional rules shape government and society. His research demonstrates how public opinion, party agendas, and policy decisions influence one another in real life.

Dr V Ximena Velasco Guachalla

Expert in political behaviour and Latin American politics

Dr Velasco-Guachalla studies political protest, citizen engagement, and democratic accountability in Latin America. She has advised the U.S. Department of State on populism in the region and presented her research at Harvard’s David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies. Her work appears in leading journals such as the British Journal of Political Science and World Development.

Why choose Essex?

2nd in UK for research outputs in politics and international studies (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021)

9th in the UK for International Relations (Guardian University Guide 2026)

Our alumni include Members of Parliament, a Speaker of the House of Commons, a Home Secretary, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and many more leaders shaping global affairs

Not sure this course is for you?

Explore all politics undergraduate degrees at Essex

Explore all international relations undergraduate degrees at Essex

Browse all degrees at the University of Essex

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

What this means

You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.

Core with Options

You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.

Compulsory

You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

Compulsory with Options

You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

Optional

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term

SP: Spring term

SU: Summer term

FY: Full year

AP: Autumn and Spring terms

PS: Spring and Summer terms

AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year Abroad

Final Year

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Introduction to Politics

(30 CREDITS)

What is “Politics”? How have people conceived of political analysis, the state, laws, wars and political parties, across cultures and over time? Gain an understanding of essential concepts in the study of politics and explore the economic, social and intellectual trends that have made democracy possible.

View Introduction to Politics on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Introduction to International Relations

(15 CREDITS)

This module offers a formative background in the study of international politics. We seek to provide the essential tools and theoretical concepts used to analyse international politics so that a better understanding of specific historical events or contemporary issues is given.

View Introduction to International Relations on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Authority and Morality

Is the advice of historic political writers like Machiavelli still relevant for politicians today? Do we have a moral obligation to obey the law even when the law is unjust? Would it be preferable to live in anarchy? And where does the idea of human rights come from? In GV151 we study some classical texts in the Western tradition in order to understand how moral and political ideas have shaped the institutions that govern our lives today, and how they can help us make sense of current politics.

View Authority and Morality on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL

Option(s) from list or Outside Option(s)

COMPONENT 05: OPTIONAL

Social Science option(s)

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

Career Portfolio

(0 CREDITS)

Develop the employability, citizenship, and life skills to successfully compete in the graduate job market after graduation. You complete a portfolio of employability skills and develop a critical understanding of the world of work.

View Career Portfolio on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

GV207-5-AU or GV252-5-SP

COMPONENT 02: OPTIONAL

2nd year Politics option(s)

(45 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL

2nd year Politics option(s) or outside option(s)

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Abroad Module 120 Credits

(120 CREDITS)

View Abroad Module 120 Credits on our Module Directory

Capstone Project

Final year Politics option(s)

Politics option(s) or outside option(s)

Placement

On a placement year you gain relevant work experience within an external business or organisation, giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing you with key contacts within the industry. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.

Year abroad

On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.

Teaching

Teaching is arranged to allow a lot of freedom in how you organise your learning experience

Lab sessions allow you to improve your technical research skills

Opportunities to gain work experience on placements and internships

Undergraduate students in the Department of Government generally have a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar for each module every week or a two-hour seminar (in the case of smaller modules), but there are variations in place depending on the module.

Assessment

Assessed through a combination of written coursework, presentations, class participation, and end-of-year examinations

If you undertake a placement, you will prepare an assessed report on this experience

UK entry requirements

112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.

IB: 29 points in the IB Diploma or 112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects.

We accept A-levels, AAQs, BTECs, Access to HE Diploma, T-levels and most other qualifications that hold UCAS tariff points. Acceptability of some non A-level qualifications (such as BTECs) may depend on the subject studied and units taken.

You can calculate your UCAS tariff points on the UCAS website.

Whilst International A-levels and BTECs aren't on the UCAS tariff calculator, we assign them the same tariff points as their UK counterparts.

Don't meet the entry requirements?

We know everyone's journey is different. If your achieved or predicted grades don’t match our entry requirements, you have a non-traditional educational background, or you're returning to study as a mature student, we'd still encourage you to apply. We review every application individually and may be able to offer you a place on this course, or an alternative route such as a foundation year.

Find out more about applying, personal statements, references, visas, deferred entry, extenuating circumstances, and support for mature students on our undergraduate application information page.

Contextual Offers:

We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. We make Contextual Offers to applicants from underrepresented groups residing in the UK. Our Contextual Offers policy outlines the full eligibility criteria.

96 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

AFGHANISTAN

ANTIGUA AND BARBUADA

ARGENTINA

AUSTRALIA

AZERBAIJAN

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BARBADOS

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BOTSWANA

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CONGO (DEM REB, ZAIRE)

COSTA RICA

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DJIBOUTI

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DOMINICAN REP

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EL SALVADOR

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SOUTH GEORGE & STH SANDWICH IS

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ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

ST. LUCIA

ST. VINCENT

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SWITZERLAND

TAJIKISTAN

TANZANIA

THAILAND

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

TURKMENISTAN

TUVALU, ALSO ELLICE ISLANDS

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

UNITED STATES

UZBEKISTAN

VENEZUELA

VIETNAM, SOC REP

YEMEN (PDR,ADEN,SOCOTRA)

ZIMBABWE

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English

IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in an equivalent test that we accept.

Details of English language requirements and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.

Pre-sessional English courses

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

If you’re an international student, but do not meet the academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College

Home/UK fee

£10,050 per year

International fee

£23,750 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:

Placement year

20% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Full year abroad

15% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Single term abroad

Standard tuition fee

Scholarships and financial support

There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

Fees and funding guide

Home/UK fees and funding information

International fees and funding information

What's next

Open Days

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tour our campus and accommodation

find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more

meet our students and staff

Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.

2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday 17 October 2026 - October Open Day

Saturday 7 November 2026 - November Open Day

Find out more

Applying

Applications for our full-time undergraduate courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full details on how to apply can be found on the filling in your UCAS undergraduate application web page.

Our UK students, and some of our EU and international students, who are still at school or college, can apply through their school. Your school will be able to check and then submit your completed application to UCAS. Our other international applicants (EU or worldwide) or independent applicants in the UK can also apply online through UCAS Apply.

The UCAS code for our University of Essex is ESSEX E70. The individual campus codes for our Loughton and Southend Campuses are 'L' and 'S' respectively.

You can find further information on how to apply, including information on transferring from another university, applying if you are not currently at a school or college, and applying for readmission on our How to apply and entry requirements page.

If you receive an undergraduate offer to study with us in October 2026 and live in the UK, you will receive an email invitation to book onto one of our Open Days. These events provide the opportunity to meet your department, join interesting taster sessions, tour our campus and accommodation, and chat to current students. You can visit our Open Days event page for more information, including terms and conditions.

Visit Colchester Campus

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Chat to us

Got a question about this course? Chat with Professor Natasha Lindstaedt from the Department of Government.

Chat with Natasha

Visit the home of politics at Essex

Meet the lecturers, discover our famous alumni, and learn about undergraduate student life in the Department of Government.

Explore undergraduate study in the Department of Government

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At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and

Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

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