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Undergraduate Study

BA Politics - 2025 entry

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code L200
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2025
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Politics and International Relations
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 723192

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A-Level: AAA
IB: 36/666
BTEC: DDD

Contextual offers

A-Level: ABB
IB: 32/655
BTEC: DDM

Overview

  • You’ll gain a sound knowledge of the four principle areas of study: political thought, international relations, comparative government and public policy
  • Our flexible programme, with a wide range of optional modules, means you can tailor your degree to your interests and career ambitions
  • Get involved with the Politics student society, meet likeminded people, attend socials, and hear from guest speakers
  • In a time of constant global change your understanding of complex political and cultural issues will be highly relevant to careers in both the public and private sectors

View 2024 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open days and visiting us

How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

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Top 15 in the UK for Politics

11th in The Complete University Guide 2025

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Top 100 in the world for Politics

QS World University Subject Rankings 2024

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We are in the Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research*

* Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021

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Opportunities to study abroad

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level AAA n/a
IB 36/666 n/a
BTEC DDD n/a
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade N/A
T-Level Distinction N/A
Contextual Offer

A-Level: ABB
IB: 32/655
BTEC: DDM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

Course content

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Stage 1: 60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
POL1000 Critical Skills for Politics and International Relations 15
POL1025 Classical Political Thought 15
POL1029 Introduction to Comparative Politics 15
POL1047 Global Sustainability Governance and Policy 15

Optional modules

60 credits of optional modules from all other POL1* modules

Stage 2: 60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
POL2046 The Economics of Politics 15
POL2059 Political Thought of Modernity 15
POL2102 Explaining Public Policies 15
POL2128 Introduction to Research Design in Politics and International Relations 15

Optional modules

60 credits of optional modules from all other POL2* modules

With Study Abroad

Stage 3: 120 credits of compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
SSI3999 Year Abroad 120

With Employment Experience

Stage 3: 120 credits of compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
SSI3020 Employment Experience (UK and Abroad) 120

Stage 3: 60 credits of compulsory Dissertation and supporting module, 60 credits of optional modules

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
POL3100 Dissertation 45
POL3101 Futures of Politics 15

Optional modules

60 credits of optional modules from all other POL3* modules

Course variants

UCAS code: L240

Our four-year ‘with Study Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, studying with one of our many partner universities.

Why Study Abroad?

Living and studying in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all key qualities that employers are looking for in today’s competitive employment environment.

Where can I Study Abroad?

We have partnership arrangements with many prestigious institutions across the globe. Exactly where you can apply to study will depend on the subjects you are studying at Exeter. For a full list please visit the Study Abroad website.

Does it count towards my degree?

Credit for academic work during your year abroad is arranged by agreement between the University of Exeter and the host institution. These marks are then translated back into your degree at Exeter. If you are Studying Abroad for a semester or full year, your time abroad will count toward your final degree. Please refer to your College Study Abroad co-ordinator for further details.

How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?

For the year that you spend studying abroad you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter, but nothing to your host university – for more information visit our fees pages. You will continue to receive a maintenance loan if you are eligible for this whilst on your Study Abroad year.

UCAS code: L298

Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements within the UK as part of your degree.

Why choose to include Employment Experience?

Undertaking graduate-level work during your degree unlocks a world of experience that allows you to develop essential employability and interpersonal skills that relate to your degree and future career. A work placement will dramatically boost your confidence, enhance your CV and develop graduate level skills and competencies that employers are looking for.

Where will I do my work placement?

The sector you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.

How does it affect my tuition fees and funding?

For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.

Find out more

Visit our website to learn more about employment experience opportunities. 

Fees

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £24,700 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

How will I learn?

We use a wide range of teaching methods as well as encouraging independent study with an increasing emphasis on seminar discussion and project work in your second and third years

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Project and group work
  • Independent study

You will also have access to personal and subject tutors who will give you the individual help and guidance you need to succeed.

How will I be assessed?

We use a range of assessment methods including many designed to reflect the skills required by employers:

  • Exams
  • Essays
  • Projects
  • Individual and small group presentations
  • Dissertation in your final year

You must pass your first year modules in order to proceed but your performance at this level does not count towards your final degree classification.

ExeTalks

ExeTalks are a chance to discover some of the fascinating research undertaken at the University of Exeter delivered by the academics who teach on our programmes.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

  • A Foreign Language
  • Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Law (Penryn Campus only)
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Social Data Science

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

As a Politics graduate your understanding of complex political and cultural issues, often in continually changing environments, can be relevant to careers within the private, public and third sectors. Throughout your studies you will develop a range of professional, academic and personal skills including:

  • Analytical, critical and independent thinking
  • Independent research
  • Problem solving
  • Discussion and group work
  • Collecting, assessing and presenting evidence
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Researching, judging and evaluating complex information
  • Articulating ideas and constructing arguments
  • Organising, planning and time management

Career paths

Below are a few examples* of initial jobs undertaken by Politics and International Relations graduates. Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.

Job title

Management Consultant
Parliamentary Caseworker and Researcher
Civil Servant
Film Production Coordinator
Officer Cadet
Analyst
Trainee Insurance Broker
Investment Assistant
Communications Officer

Organisation

Accenture
National Health Service
Barclays Bank PLC
Ogilvy and Mather
Treehouse PR Ltd
Easton Aerospace
Orchards of London
Cornells
Arcadia Group

Further study

Further study is a popular choice for a number of students following graduation from a Politics degree in Exeter. Below are a few examples* of further study undertaken. Please note that, due to data protection, the subjects of study and institutions are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.

Subject area

MA Crisis Management
MSc Public Policy
MA EU Politics
MA Globalisation and Communications
MA International Relations in the Middle East
MA Public Policy and Administration

Institution

University of Leicester
University of Exeter
King's College, London
University of Bristol
London

Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award

Many of our students participate in The Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award. These schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.

Developing your skills and career prospects

We provide a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. You will be able to access a range of specific activities such as careers skills sessions and employer-led events, or seek bespoke advice and support from Employability Officers.

The Career Zone also organises a busy schedule of activities including careers fairs, skills workshops, and training events, and can advise on graduate opportunities and volunteering.

 

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