Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year
BA (Hons) Politics
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | BA (Hons) Politics | Programme code | UFA3HPSHPS01 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 6 (Honours) |
2. Description of the Programme
The BA Politics is designed to deliver comprehensive training in political systems and ideologies, governance systems, and policy analysis, engaging you with contemporary challenges and debates. You will be trained in core principles, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks fundamental to politics, equipping you with analytical skills to critically analyse, interpret, and assess political phenomena. Additionally, the degree broadens your global understanding by focusing on the theoretical and practical problems of world politics through optional modules in International Relations, International Security, and Area Studies. Through this comprehensive approach, the degree aims to provide you with a robust foundation, preparing graduates for diverse careers in public and private sectors.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
1. To provide an excellent education across the range of political studies, from core to specialist, in a supportive and responsive learning environment that is led by internationally recognised research
2. To enable you to understand and use the main concepts, approaches and theories of the discipline; to analyse, interpret and evaluate political events, ideas and institutions; and to relate the academic study of politics to questions of public concern
3. To develop your competence in subject-specific, core academic and personal and key skills
4. To offer you a wide range of choice, insofar as this choice is consistent with the coherence and intellectual rigour of the degree
5. To equip graduates to be questioning and productive members of society
4. Programme Structure
Your BA Politics degree is a 3 year programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 6 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into 3 ‘Stages’. Each Stage is normally equivalent to an academic year. The programme is also divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.This single honours programme is studied over three years and is university-based throughout that time. Part-time study over a longer period is possible by negotiation with the Unit.
The 'level' of a module (designated by the first number in the module code) indicates its position in the progressive development of academic abilities and/or practical skills. The degree programme contains compulsory and optional modules and, under the University's rules on modularity, as part of the degree programme students may take up to 30 credits a year outside their main degree subject, choosing from modules in another department within the College of Social Sciences and International Studies, or within another College.
You may take Elective Modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme in each stage of the programme as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
Modules and other study components can be taken only with the approval of the School (normally given by the student's personal tutor). Modules are not all available every year; options are offered each year at the discretion of the College. A module may be taken only if the necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, if the timetable allows, and if the module or an equivalent module has not been taken previously.
Assessment at Stage 1 is formative and does not contribute towards the overall mark for the degree programme, although an overall pass is necessary for progression to Stage 2.
For a 3-year programme the classification is calculated by weighting the stages:
Stage 1: does not count towards classification.
Stage 2: 1 33.33 %
Stage 3: 2 66.67 %
5. Programme Modules
https://politics.exeter.ac.uk/students/ugmodules_exeter/
The BA Politics degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.
Depending on your programme you can also take up to 30 credits each year in another subject, for instance a language or business module, to develop career-related skills or just widen your intellectual horizons.
Please note that modules offered are subject to change, depending on staff availability, timetabling and demand.
Stage 1
60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL1047 | Global Sustainability Governance and Policy | 15 | No |
| POL1029 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 15 | No |
| POL1025 | Classical Political Thought | 15 | No |
| POL1000 | Critical Skills for Politics and International Relations | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
In addition, students must take 60 credits of options from Level 1 of the Politics programme (as listed below).
Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability.
View option modules here
Students are free to choose a maximum of 30 further credits outside their main degree subject.
Stage 2
The core modules in the second year will develop your understanding of the theory and practice of public policy, comparative politics and modern political thought.
60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL2046 | The Economics of Politics | 15 | No |
| POL2059 | Political Thought of Modernity | 15 | No |
| POL2102 | Explaining Public Policies | 15 | No |
| POL2128 | Introduction to Research Design in Politics and International Relations | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
Students to take a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 60 credits from modules at Level 2 of the Politics programme.
Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability.
View option modules here
Stage 3
The centre-point of the final year is the dissertation. This provides you with the opportunity to explore an area of interest and to demonstrate what you have learned over the previous years of your degree.
30 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL3040 | Dissertation | 30 | Yes |
Optional Modules
90 credits of optional modules from Stage 3 of the Politics programme.
Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability.
View option modules here
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Understand the nature and significance of politics as a human activity |
| These skills are summatively assessed through a combination of reports, policy briefs, term-time essays, presentations and examinations, depending on which modules are selected. The combination of and length of essays, presentations and exams will vary from one module to the next according to credit value in conformity with College Assessment Norms. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Gather, organise and deploy evidence and information from a variety of primary and secondary sources | These skills are developed throughout the degree programme with progression in stages 1 and 2 as students move from stage to stage. 7 is developed through self assessment of assignments, staff feedback on formative assignments and student self appraisal. |
|
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
8. Communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing |
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7. Programme Regulations
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
Classification
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
As an undergraduate or postgraduate taught student in the College of Social Sciences and International Studies you will be allocated a Personal Tutor at the commencement of your studies. In normal circumstances your Personal Tutor will remain your tutor throughout your study programme. Your Personal Tutor is normally available through scheduled office hours, but should also see you as a matter of course three or four times a year (depending on your year of study); these meetings may typically commence soon after registration. These meetings will take place once or twice mid-year to discuss your progress and to perhaps consider Personal Development Planning (ePDP) and once to discuss your overall performance. The ePDP is a particularly useful developmental tool which you are encouraged to utilize and which is accessible though the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE).
You should feel that you are able to approach your personal tutor for advice, pastoral support or academic support in a wider sense.
Library, ELE and other resources provided to support this programme:
The Library offers you core services for learning and research. Whilst the various locations house a large collection of materials and services, many of our resources are available online through this website http://as.exeter.ac.uk/library/ for you to use at home, work or wherever you are located for your study. Each discipline has a subject librarian on hand to help you to find resources and we also work with tutors to digitize reading lists for inclusion in the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE).
Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) is used throughout the University to make course materials
available online. You will be able to access module information, presentations, handouts, reading materials as well as interacting with other students and your tutors. Many tutors use ELE to run assessments and set coursework assignments. In addition to the materials provided by your tutors, there are various other resources available on ELE to help you in your studies, for example, you will be able to access your ePDP, the University’s online PDP system, which has been developed to help you keep an ongoing record of your academic, work and extra-curricular experiences, and help you develop action plans and personal statements.
The University provides a range of IT services, including open and training clusters of PCs (available on a 24/7 basis). In the Social Sciences and International Studies College this includes a 24/7 suite in Amory, based in the Law Library and a second one in the St Luke’s Campus Library. These suites are accessible by swiping your university card. The majority of the College also has access to the university’s wireless network. Network access is
available from the majority of rooms in University halls of residence through the ResNet system.
At St Luke’s there is also a college-based open access suite (South Cloisters 14) providing access to another 20 machines. Entry is again made by use of your university card and it is open from 8.30am to 7pm Monday to Friday.
All of these suites have the standard ‘palms’ printing systems in them (printing from credit held on your university card). At the St Luke’s Campus there is also a cash-based printing service at the GSE Print Unit based in South Cloisters.
Please see link below for further information on the IT Services facilities on the Exeter Campuses:
Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and Cornwall campuses.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
10. Admissions Criteria
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
BA (Hons) Politics
19. UCAS Code
L200
20. NQF Level of Final Award
6 (Honours)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 360 |
ECTS credits | 180 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
[Honours] Politics and international relations
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 01/10/1993 |
Date of last revision | 11/02/2021 |
|---|
