The School of Politics runs a diverse and dynamic set of UG degree programmes, each designed to ensure that our students emerge as politically knowledgeable, confident, articulate, and skilled graduates.

Our degree programmes equip students with the necessary theoretical knowledge to analyse developments in domestic and international politics and to make sense of what can seem to be random, unconnected events. All students on the Single Hons programmes follow the same first year of study in order to establish a core knowledge base. Differentiation between degree pathways comes in years 2 and 3 of study, where students have a number of module options open to them, which allow them to follow their interests and play to their intellectual strengths. All students (except those on the Combined Hons programmes with Economics and Sociology) take a heavily weighted final year dissertation.

Students on all our degree programmes (with the exception of Combined Hons Languages) can take a 3 or 4 year degree programme. Our 4 year degree programmes, include a year spent on study exchange and/or on a work placement . We believe that a year out on study and/or work placement can make a profound difference to the student experience, their final  and to their career prospects

Academic staff in the School of Politics are distinguished not only by their excellent research but by their commitment to best practice in pedagogy. We have a diverse student body and this is reflected in our teaching, where students will be exposed to a wide range of sources and opinions, challenged to rethink their pre-conceptions and required to become skilled in a wide variety of assessments, including essays, seen and unseen exams, individual and group presentations, policy briefings, policy critiques, literature reviews and dissertation writing. This rich and innovative approach to pedagogy ensures that students are equipped to undertake any manner of tasks after graduation but also ensures that all students can excel somewhere during their time with us.

Naturally, our students are a central and vital part of the School of Politics. We pride ourselves on helping students to understand and appreciate difference.  In addition to British students, we have European and international students. This brings a range of perspectives into the classroom and thus enriches the learning experience. Diversity extends beyond mere nationality however, and into differing levels of maturity, skills, previous experience and learning needs.

While we value the acquisition of knowledge for its own sake, we also understand that students come to university in order to improve their employment prospects. As such, we place an emphasis on helping students understand how their degree equips them for the workplace. Intellectual development is naturally a large part of this, however, students will also be presented with opportunities to acquire new and maintain and improves existing transferable skills. Thus skills are embedded into the forms of teaching and assessment that we employ, including teamwork, presentation skills, critical argumentation. In addition to this, we help students with their personal development by helping them to connect to key campus support services. Examples of the types of activities we run include Careers “Speed Dating” events, workshops on critical thought and CV writing. Additionally, we encourage students to take advantage of the numerous and diverse extra-curricular activities on offer at the university, including working with the Students’ Union and its societies, volunteering, part-time paid work, mentoring, journalism etc. As a result, many of our students graduate not only with an impressive academic record but also a rounded CV.

In what is seemingly an increasingly pressured world and in recognition that with diversity often comes challenge, we operate a rigorous policy of personal tutoring. Students are encouraged to build up strong one to one relationships with a member of academic staff, with whom they can discuss matters relating to their academic development and any welfare issues that may impede their progress. We want our students to become independent learners but simultaneously understand that this is best achieved in dialogue with others.

    - Dr Maxine David, Undergraduate Programme Coordinator, School of Politics.