Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £14,415 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Course summary
- Learn about the latest thinking in analysing and explaining political trends and issues.
- Gain a critical understanding of political institutions, ideologies and theories.
- Gain work experience with well-known organisations.
- Visit Brussels for a chance to meet policy makers and politicians.
Develop the skills to formulate and defend complex ideas, the ability to think clearly and objectively, and be given the platform to debate convincingly. By focusing on the application of political ideas in the real world, this degree supports you in a variety of career paths.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Student view
Watch student Sherene Modi talk about what it’s like to study this course.
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
At each level of study teaching is structured to provide you with the skills necessary to succeed. Classwork is supplemented by guest speakers drawn from the public, academic, non-governmental and campaign sectors which provide not only different perspectives on real world issues but also an insight into the knowledge and skills required to work in these sectors.
You learn through
- lectures
- seminars
- away days
- workshops
- e-learning
- placement opportunities
- guest lecturers
- extracurricular activities such as publishing and editing Politics Review Magazine, and joining the Model UN Simulation Society, the Politics Society, and the Debating Society
There are opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus+ programme (until 2023) or the Turing Scheme.
Course leaders and tutors
Applied learning
Work placements
You will have the opportunity to take a semester long work placement in your second year. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. Examples include assisting members of parliament, working for NGOs, campaign groups or the council.
Live projects
If you choose a non-placement routes, you will receive employer engagement through our sector leading Venture Matrix enterprise, where employers invite you to help them address the issues their organisations need to resolve.
Field trips
A five-day visit to the European Union headquarters in Brussels will give you the opportunity to meet policy makers, politicians, and various representatives of non-governmental organisations. This field trip is provided at no extra cost.
Language option
Improve your employability and degree of internationalisation by studying a language. Throughout the course you have the option to study a language of your choice for credit, whether you are a beginner or at a more advanced level. Languages available include French, Spanish, German, Italian, Catalan, Portuguese, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- the UK diplomatic service
- fast track civil service
- political think tanks
- the print media
- sports promotion
- lobby groups
- NGOs
- the third sector
- European institutions
- local government research
- a wide range of graduate schemes across many different professions
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEntry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 104
This must include at least 64 points from two A levels, or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- BCC at A Level.
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and general studies.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4
- Mathematics at grade C or 4
• Access - at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits from level 2 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent
We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.
Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Graduate Study Skills | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Introduction To International Relations | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Introduction To Political Thought | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Introduction To Politics And Society | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: The Politics Of Post War Britain | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Foreign Language | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: World Politics Of The Usa | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Contemporary Political Philosophy | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Europe And The European Union | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Research Methods In Politics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Britain In The World: British Foreign And Defence Policy In The Modern Era | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Comparative Politics | Credits: 10 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Divided Societies | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Foreign Language | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Society And Nature: The Politics Of The Environment | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Studies Abroad In Applied Social Sciences | Credits: 50 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: The Everyday And Exceptional Politics Of War | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Work Placement | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Work Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Dissertation | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Anarchism: Direct Action In Theory And Practice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: British Political Parties In The Modern Era | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Charity And Community | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Comparing Social Issues And Policy In A Global Context | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Failed States And Democratisation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Foreign Language | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Politics Of The City | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Sex, Gender And World Politics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Terrorism And Counter-Terrorism | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Theories And Methods Of Conflict Transformation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Understanding Human Rights: Disrupting Universalism | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £14,415 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Sociology and politics courses (PDF, 217.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
