Political Studies Degrees 2013

A Politics degree from the University of Surrey gives you the opportunity to study how power operates in the real world and to develop the skills to make sense of that world – all while studying at a world-class, research-intensive institution. During your time in the School of Politics, you will learn about mainstream political institutions and theories alongside more critical approaches. Therefore you will be encouraged to learn about identity, citizenship, social movements and change. On top of this, you will also be exposed to a number of international issues and theories, as we consider these to be central to the study of politics in the twenty-first century.

Degree programmes

Political Studies Degrees 2013 Degree Programmes
Degree	UCAS code	Duration
BA (Hons) International Politics and English for International Communication	LQ23	4* years
Our four new joint and four new combined International Politics with/and Languages degrees (German, French, Spanish and English for International Communication), which started in September 2009, offer you the opportunity to gain expertise in politics, develop your command of one of the above foreign languages and acquire an understanding of intercultural communication. The joint degrees offer equal weighting of both International Politics and your chosen language. In the combined degree, International Politics accounts for two thirds and the language of your choice accounts for one third of the programme. The programmes are designed for post A-level (or equivalent) full-time students who are interested in politics and hold A-levels in German, French or Spanish. In addition international students with a high level of proficiency in English can select a pathway in English for International Communication. The programmes allow you to enhance your study of political phenomena while studying a language in its socio-political and cultural contexts during a placement year at an institution in the country related to your focus of study.
BA (Hons) International Politics with English for International Communication	L2Q3	4* years
Our four new joint and four new combined International Politics with/and Languages degrees (German, French, Spanish or English for International Communication), which started in September 2009, offer you the opportunity to gain expertise in politics, develop your command of one of the above foreign languages and acquire an understanding of intercultural communication. The joint degrees offer equal weighting of both International Politics and your chosen language. In the combined degree, International Politics accounts for two thirds and the language of your choice accounts for one third of the programme. The programmes are designed for post A-level (or equivalent) full-time students who are interested in politics and hold A-levels in German, French or Spanish. In addition international students with a high level of proficiency in English can select a pathway in English for International Communication. The programmes allow you to enhance your study of political phenomena while studying a language in its socio-political and cultural contexts during a placement year at an institution in the country related to your focus of study.
BA (Hons) International Politics and French	LR21	4* years
Our four new joint and four new combined International Politics with/and Languages degrees (German, French, Spanish and English for International Communication), which started in September 2009, offer you the opportunity to gain expertise in politics, develop your command of one of the above foreign languages and acquire an understanding of intercultural communication. The joint degrees offer equal weighting of both International Politics and your chosen language. In the combined degree, International Politics accounts for two thirds and the language of your choice accounts for one third of the programme. The programmes are designed for post A-level (or equivalent) full-time students who are interested in politics and hold A-levels in German, French or Spanish. In addition international students with a high level of proficiency in English can select a pathway in English for International Communication. The programmes allow you to enhance your study of political phenomena while studying a language in its socio-political and cultural contexts during a placement year at an institution in the country related to your focus of study.
BA (Hons) International Politics with French	L2R1	4* years
Our four new joint and four new combined International Politics with/and Languages degrees (German, French, Spanish or English for International Communication), which started in September 2009, offer you the opportunity to gain expertise in politics, develop your command of one of the above foreign languages and acquire an understanding of intercultural communication. The joint degrees offer equal weighting of both International Politics and your chosen language. In the combined degree, International Politics accounts for two thirds and the language of your choice accounts for one third of the programme. The programmes are designed for post A-level (or equivalent) full-time students who are interested in politics and hold A-levels in German, French or Spanish. In addition international students with a high level of proficiency in English can select a pathway in English for International Communication. The programmes allow you to enhance your study of political phenomena while studying a language in its socio-political and cultural contexts during a placement year at an institution in the country related to your focus of study.
BA (Hons) International Politics and German	LR22	4* years
Our four new joint and four new combined International Politics with/and Languages degrees (German, French, Spanish and English for International Communication), which started in September 2009, offer you the opportunity to gain expertise in politics, develop your command of one of the above foreign languages and acquire an understanding of intercultural communication. The joint degrees offer equal weighting of both International Politics and your chosen language. In the combined degree, International Politics accounts for two thirds and the language of your choice accounts for one third of the programme. The programmes are designed for post A-level (or equivalent) full-time students who are interested in politics and hold A-levels in German, French or Spanish. In addition international students with a high level of proficiency in English can select a pathway in English for International Communication. The programmes allow you to enhance your study of political phenomena while studying a language in its socio-political and cultural contexts during a placement year at an institution in the country related to your focus of study.
BA (Hons) International Politics with German	L2R2	4* years
Our four new joint and four new combined International Politics with/and Languages degrees (German, French, Spanish or English for International Communication), which started in September 2009, offer you the opportunity to gain expertise in politics, develop your command of one of the above foreign languages and acquire an understanding of intercultural communication. The joint degrees offer equal weighting of both International Politics and your chosen language. In the combined degree, International Politics accounts for two thirds and the language of your choice accounts for one third of the programme. The programmes are designed for post A-level (or equivalent) full-time students who are interested in politics and hold A-levels in German, French or Spanish. In addition international students with a high level of proficiency in English can select a pathway in English for International Communication. The programmes allow you to enhance your study of political phenomena while studying a language in its socio-political and cultural contexts during a placement year at an institution in the country related to your focus of study.
BA (Hons) International Politics and Spanish	LR24	4* years
Our four new joint and four new combined International Politics with/and Languages degrees (German, French, Spanish and English for International Communication), which started in September 2009, offer you the opportunity to gain expertise in politics, develop your command of one of the above foreign languages and acquire an understanding of intercultural communication. The joint degrees offer equal weighting of both International Politics and your chosen language. In the combined degree, International Politics accounts for two thirds and the language of your choice accounts for one third of the programme. The programmes are designed for post A-level (or equivalent) full-time students who are interested in politics and hold A-levels in German, French or Spanish. In addition international students with a high level of proficiency in English can select a pathway in English for International Communication. The programmes allow you to enhance your study of political phenomena while studying a language in its socio-political and cultural contexts during a placement year at an institution in the country related to your focus of study.
BA (Hons) International Politics with Spanish	L2R4	4* years
Our four new joint and four new combined International Politics with/and Languages degrees (German, French, Spanish or English for International Communication), which started in September 2009, offer you the opportunity to gain expertise in politics, develop your command of one of the above foreign languages and acquire an understanding of intercultural communication. The joint degrees offer equal weighting of both International Politics and your chosen language. In the combined degree, International Politics accounts for two thirds and the language of your choice accounts for one third of the programme. The programmes are designed for post A-level (or equivalent) full-time students who are interested in politics and hold A-levels in German, French or Spanish. In addition international students with a high level of proficiency in English can select a pathway in English for International Communication. The programmes allow you to enhance your study of political phenomena while studying a language in its socio-political and cultural contexts during a placement year at an institution in the country related to your focus of study.
BSc (Hons) Politics	L200	3/4* years
A distinctive feature of our Politics programme is its applied nature and its emphasis on bringing about political and social change, whether at a local, national or international level. You will be introduced to a range of concepts, approaches and methods in the areas of political, international and policy studies, and will be able to explore the ways in which the meaning of concepts such as ‘justice’, ‘equality’ and ‘liberty’ are hotly contested. You will learn about the causes of war and peace, as well as how different societies are governed and how international relations between states can be organised. As your knowledge and understanding of theory and analysis in politics become more sophisticated, you will be encouraged to relate your academic study to questions of public concern, and to think critically about events, ideas and institutions in contemporary society. Indeed, by the end of the programme, you will be well prepared to engage positively and effectively in the full range of political activities. The structure of the optional elements of the programme is left open, so that you can follow your own study path, making connections between subjects as diverse as political theory, terrorism, comparative government and political psychology.
BSc (Hons) International Politics	L290	3/4* years
On this programme you build further on the core modules in political, international and policy studies by focusing on the study of political relations and structures in an international context. The programme introduces you to a variety of social and political issues that drive debates about international affairs. You will explore national, regional and transnational trends through international relations theory and the analysis of a wide range of case studies. You will have the opportunity to examine questions of international security, globalisation, environmental policy and international governance, among others. In particular, your dissertation at Level 3 will allow you to explore an aspect of international politics in significant depth, while also demonstrating your use of research and presentation skills. The programme takes an interdisciplinary approach throughout, serving as a bridge for students from different disciplines and raising awareness of current socio-political trends. This approach – along with the opportunity to take a Professional Training year – will help to prepare you for work and research in an international setting.
BSc (Hons) Politics with Policy Studies	L2L4	3/4* years
If you choose this degree, you will gain a good grounding in political studies, but will focus more specifically on the welfare of people and explore how society deals with social needs and problems. In particular, you will have the opportunity to investigate how government action (and inaction) affects us all at some time or another. You will be encouraged to engage critically with key ideas underpinning policy debates, and to consider relations between society, social problems and policy responses. You will gain an understanding of key welfare state institutions in the UK and how these compare to their counterparts in other European countries. Building on the foundations in political, international and policy studies, you will explore the nature of inequalities and the distribution of power locally, nationally and internationally. You will also analyse various methods of ‘making a difference’ and promoting beneficial change in society. A close focus on social action and the opportunity to spend a Professional Training year working with an organisation in the policy field will ensure that you are prepared for employment in this area and are capable of participating effectively in the policy process.
BSc (Hons) Politics and Economics	LL12	3/4* years
The latest addition to our portfolio of programmes brings together two of the most relevant social sciences, to help you make sense of the world around us. At a time when the economic and political spheres of public life not only take centre stage in shaping our lives, but also very clearly interact with each other at a very fundamental level, you will be developing the tools and the knowledge to engage with these debates. Your time will be split equally between modules from the School of Politics and the School of Economics, which will provide a specifically tailored programme to pull together the two disciplines at each level and draw out the linkages in both the theoretical and the applied fields of study. The programme will give you a full grounding in core political and economic concepts, theories and methodologies, before allowing you to focus on particular areas of specialisation, from political economy and financial markets, through to public policy and international trade. Together, these elements build a programme that offers you a guide to some of the most pressing questions that confront us today, from the role of markets in civic life to the existence of rationality in decision making.
BSc (Hons) Politics and Sociology	LL23	3/4* years
Another exciting new addition to our portfolio, this programme will be of interest to students seeking to understand the interactions between social and political trends. At a time of growing inequalities and increasing social and political unrest, it is important to figure out how political institutions can address some of the more deeply rooted problems in society. This programme will provide students with extensive knowledge of the interactions between ideology, policy making, power and social structures. Looking at social policy from the perspective of political institutions, as well as the sociology of political structures, students will engage in a range of debates about the nature and impact of ‘social problems’. Moreover, the study of policy making in practice will provide students with an overview of opportunities and constraints affecting the way policy is formulated and implemented. Students will split their time equally between Politics and Sociology, therefore acquiring a sound understanding of both disciplinary traditions and cultures.
* Programme includes a professional training year

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

Politics and Sociology A-level grades ABB
Politics and Economics A-level grades AAA (or AAB if A-level Mathematics is included)
All other Politics programmes AAB

We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking in our offers.

Conditional offers from Surrey will be made in grades or marks, and not listed in points from the UCAS tariff.

Required subjects

GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent).

For Politics and Economics, GCSE Mathematics at grade A or above (or equivalent) is required.

One social science or humanities subject preferred. There is no requirement for an A-level in Politics. Grade B is required for the appropriate language at A-level or equivalent.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

Other suitable qualifications

Cambridge Pre-U
Politics and Sociology M1, M1, M2
Politics and Economics D3, D3, M1 – M1, M1, M1
All other Politics programmes M1, M1, M1

European Baccalaureate
Politics and Sociology 74%
Politics and Economics 76 – 75%
All other Politics programmes 75%

International Baccalaureate
Politics and Sociology 34 points
Politics and Economics 37 – 35 points
All other Politics programmes 35 points

BTEC (QCF Level 3) Extended Diploma
Politics and Sociology DDM
Politics and Economics DDD
All other Politics programmes DDD

Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.

In addition, we accept a wide range of qualifications, including other Level 3 QCF Level 3 qualifications, Scottish qualifications, the Irish Leaving Certificate, Access Diplomas and foundation courses. Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.

It is important to check whether the qualifications you are taking are suitable for your chosen degree. If you are uncertain whether your qualification meets our entry requirements, please contact us.

If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year.

Selection process

Offers are made on the basis of grades. Suitable applicants are invited to visit the School of Politics during our UCAS days. This visit is a great opportunity for you to find out more about our programme and interact with our academic staff and students. Applicants based overseas, who are unable to visit, can make individual arrangements with our admissions tutor.

Tuition fees

UK/EU students

Tuition fees are currently set at £9,000 per year for UK/EU undergraduates starting in 2012.

The tuition charge will be accompanied by a generous financial support package, underlining our continued commitment to widening access for those students who come from low income households.

Overseas students

The fee for students classed as overseas for fees purposes is £12,130.

The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.

Professional Training Year Fees

Programmes marked with an asterisk (*) in the table above include a professional training year.

Currently fees of £1,050 (based on an inflation assumption of 2.5%) are charged for the Professional Training Year. Fees will not have to be paid up front for those students who decide to take up the Government’s loan for higher education fees. The Professional Training year is a key factor in the high employability rates achieved by students with Surrey degrees.

Our degrees

The distinguishing feature of our degrees is their applied nature. Students are taught how to apply theoretical understandings of politics and international relations to world events and issues. Additionally, as part of the University strategy, we endeavour to offer placements to all students. The aim of the placement year is to provide students with a chance to experience first-hand how politics operates in the ‘real world’, at a voluntary sector organisation, a government or local authority department, an MP or MEP’s office, or an international organisation.

Politics is about people and power: who gets it, how they use it and what makes a society fair. Our innovative degrees focus on the active role that citizens can play in shaping politics internationally, nationally and locally.

You will explore why some people are ‘more equal than others’, how power is organised in different societies, and why some issues become the target of policies. You will discover how you can ‘make a difference’ in your organisation or community, and about the social and political movements which change societies. Our programmes have a strong international flavour – you will learn about politics in other countries and about why states and nations sometimes go to war but often manage to co-exist in peace.

As a Politics student at Surrey you will be able to choose from a number of programmes to match your developing interests. You can choose to study: Politics, International Politics, Politics with Policy Studies, Politics and Economics, Politics and Sociology or International Politics with/and Languages (German, French, Spanish or English for International Communication). The School is also involved in the delivery of the LLB Law with International Studies.

The Politics degree is broad-based and allows you to pick up options from a wide range of different areas. The two more specialised degrees in International Politics and Politics with Policy Studies ensure that you develop a solid foundation in political ideas, principles and methods, and in addition give you the opportunity to follow more optional modules in your area of particular interest.

These three degrees share a common first year, and you will be able to change your pathway up until the end of your first year of study. The Politics and Economics degree brings together these two social sciences, allowing students to study political economy, financial markets, public policy and international trade. International Politics with Languages allows students to study politics while advancing their language skills in German, Spanish, French or English for international communication.

Politics and Sociology provides students with extensive knowledge of the interactions between ideology, policy-making, power and social structures.

Programme content

Programme overview

Our BSc/BA degree programmes are designed to make sure that, along with your chosen specialisation, you get a full grounding in the discipline as a whole. In addition, we also take great care to provide you with a wide set of practical skills that will serve you well, whatever you decide to do after your degree.

In year 1, whichever degree you choose, you will study a number of compulsory modules. These will provide you with a solid background in political, international and policy studies, and in fundamental academic skills.

In year 2 you will build on year 1 by studying a number of compulsory modules, and you will also choose a number of optional modules where you begin to develop your own interests.

All our BSc programmes have the option of a Professional Training year after year 2, where you can either take a politics-related work placement or study politics overseas. In both cases, this placement will allow you to apply and develop your understanding, as well as discover new approaches and elements. For our four joint and four combined International Politics with/and Languages BA degrees (German, French, Spanish or English for International Communication), the placement year is a requirement and takes place at an institution in the country related to your focus of study.

In year 3 you will have much more choice in the modules you study and you will be encouraged to follow your own interests. You will be required to undertake a compulsory dissertation and study compulsory modules related to your pathway.

By the end of the programme, you will have a deep understanding of your chosen field and the skills to use that knowledge to best effect. With our broad range of learning and teaching strategies, you will find that you gain a well-rounded and coherent appreciation of the key questions and approaches to this vital and vibrant subject.

Programme structure

Our BSc/BA (Hons) degree programmes are divided into three academic levels of study, which chart the development of learning and mark important stages of progression.

Each year (excluding the Professional Training year) is sub-divided into units of learning called ‘modules’, each equated to 15 credits and a notional 150 study hours.

Structure for: BSc (Hons) Politics, BSc (Hons) International Politics, BSc (Hons) Politics with Policy Studies

Year 1 (FHEQ Level 4)

Modules include:

Introduction to Politics
Introduction to International Relations
Introduction to Social and Political Theory
Introduction to Study and Research Skills
Introduction to Social Policy
British Politics and Elections
Introduction to European Integration
Contemporary International History

Year 2 (FHEQ Level 5)

Modules include:

Approaches to Research
Research Methods
Comparative Government and Politics
2030 International Relations Theories
Foreign Policy Analysis
Policy Analysis
Politics of the European Union
International Organisations
Political Ideologies
Security Studies
Intermediate Social and Political Theory
International Political Economy

Professional Training year

Optional Professional or academic Training year

Year 3 (FHEQ Level 6)

Modules include:

Compulsory modules (60 credits)
Dissertation (45 credits – year-long)
Green Politics
Case Studies in Globalisation
Policy Making in Practice
American Foreign Policy
Critical Terrorism Studies
Engendering World Politics
Politics of the Middle East
Political Communication and Media
Negotiating Politics
Cosmopolitanism, Global Justice and Democracy
States and Markets
Defence in the Post-Cold War World

Structure for: BSc (Hons) Politics and Economics

Year 1 (FHEQ Level 4)

Modules include:

Introduction to Politics (Politics)
Introduction to International Relations (Politics)
Introduction to Social and Political Theory (Politics)
Intro to Study & Research Skills (Politics)
Principles of Microeconomics (Economics)
Principles of Macroeconomics (Economics)
Mathematics for Economics (Economics)
Introductory Economics (Economics)

Year 2 (FHEQ Level 5)

Modules include:

International Political Economy (Politics)
Statistical Models for Understanding Politics: Introduction to Econometrics (Politics)
Comparative Government & Politics (Politics)
Political Ideologies (Politics)
International Organisations (Politics)
Intermediate Microeconomics 1 (Economics)
Intermediate Macroeconomics 2 (Economics)
Intermediate Microeconomics 2 (Economics)
Intermediate Macroeconomics 1 (Economics)

Professional Training year

Optional Professional or academic Training year

Year 3 (FHEQ Level 6)

Modules include:

Green Politics (Politics)
Case Studies in Globalisation (Politics)
Policy-Making in Practice (Politics)
American Foreign Policy (Politics)
Critical Terrorism Studies (Politics)
Engendering World Politics (Politics)
Politics of the Middle East (Politics)
Political Communication & Media (Politics)
Negotiating Politics (Politics)
Cosmopolitanism, Global Justice & Democracy (Politics)
States & Markets in East Asia (Politics)
Defence in the Post-Cold War World (Politics)
Advanced Readings in Global Policies (Politics)
Operations Research (Economics)
Energy Economics (Economics)
Labour Economics (Economics)
Industrial Organisation (Economics)
International Trade (Economics)
Games, Markets & Information (Economics)
Money and Banking (Economics)
Public Economics (Economics)
International Finance (Economics)
Law and Economics (Economics)
Natural Resource & Environmental Economics (Economics)
Project (Economics)

Structure for: BSc (Hons) Politics and Sociology

Year 1 (FHEQ Level 4)

Modules include:

Introduction to Politics (Politics)
Introduction to Social Policy (Politics)
Introduction to European Integration (Politics)
Introduction to International History (Politics)
Sociology of Contemporary Societies (with study skills) (Sociology)
Introduction to Classical Sociological Theory (Sociology)
Introduction to Research Methods (Sociology)
Popular Culture and Everyday Life (Sociology)

Year 2 (FHEQ Level 5)

Modules include:

Comparative Government and Politics (Politics)
Policy Analysis (Politics)
International Relations Theories (Politics)
Foreign Policy Analysis (Politics)
Politics of the European Union (Politics)
International Organisations (Politics)
Political Ideologies (Politics)
Security Studies (Politics)
Intermediate Social and Political Theory (Politics)
International Political Economy (Politics)
Statistical Models for Understanding Politics and Society: Introduction to Econometrics (Politics)
Survey Research (Sociology)
Sociology of Political Systems (Sociology)
Analysing Media (Sociology)
Sociology of Gender (Sociology)
Sociology of Environmentalism (Sociology)
Sociology of Religion (Sociology)
Poverty and the Welfare State (Sociology)
Theories of Deviance and Social Control (Sociology)
Sociology of Health and Illness (Sociology)
Migration and the Politics of Identity (Sociology)
Sociology of Work (Sociology)
Media, Audiences and Identity (Sociology)
Media, War and Terrorism (Sociology)
Children and Violence (Sociology)

Professional Training year

Optional Professional or academic Training year

Year 3 (FHEQ Level 6)

Modules include:

Green Politics (Politics)
Case Studies in Globalisation (Politics)
Policy-making in Practice (Politics)
American Foreign Policy (Politics)
Critical Terrorism Studies (Politics)
Engendering World Politics (Politics)
Politics of the Middle East (Politics)
Political Communication and Media (Politics)
Negotiating Politics (Politics)
Cosmopolitanism, Global Justice and Democracy (Politics)
States & Markets in East Asia (Politics)
Defence in the Post-Cold War World (Politics)
Advanced Readings in Global Policies (Politics)
The Sociology of Sociology (Sociology)
Sociology of Sexualities (Sociology)
Theorising the Environment (Sociology)
Cultures of Race and Racism (Sociology)
The Family and Social Reproduction (Sociology)
Sociology of Childhood (Sociology)
Humans and Animals (Sociology)
Contemporary Theories in Deviance and Social Control (Sociology)
Work and Workers in the 21st Century (Sociology)
Sociology of Mental Health (Sociology)
Medicine and the Body (Sociology)
Understanding Youth Culture (Sociology)
Media and Cultural Globalisation (Sociology)

Structure for: BA (Hons) International Politics with/and Languages (German, Spanish, French, or English for International Communication)

Modules include a combination of courses offered in our BSc (Hon) International Politics degree and courses offered by the School of English and Languages. For the Combined Honours degree programmes in International Politics with Languages students take 2/3 of their courses from Politics and 1/3 from English and Languages. For the Joint Honours degree programmes in International Politics and Languages students take an equal number of Politics and Languages courses. Professional Training is mandatory as professional or academic training year. A selection of available modules is provided below.

Politics Modules Include:

Introduction to Politics
Introduction to International Relations
Introduction to Study & Research Skills
Introduction to European Integration
Contemporary International History
Approaches to Research
Research Methods
International Relations Theories
International Organisations
Foreign Policy Analysis
Politics of the European Union
Political Ideologies
Security Studies
Intermediate Social and Political Theory
International Political Economy

English and Languages Modules include:

German Language I
German Language II
Contemporary German Speaking Countries
Translation German - English I
German Language III
Introduction to Sociolinguistics
Translation English-German I
Introduction to TEFL
Languages in Education
Translation German-English II
Spanish Language I
Spanish Language II
Contemporary Spanish-speaking countries I
Translation Spanish-English I
Spanish Language III
Contemporary Spain
Introduction to Sociolinguistics
Translation English-Spanish
Translation Spanish – English II
French Language I
French Language II
Contemporary France I
Translation French-English I
French Language III
Contemporary France II
Introduction to Sociolinguistics
Translation English-French I
Translation French-English II
Written English for Academic and Professional purposes
Oral English for Academic and Professional purposes
English for Legal and commercial purposes I
English for political and Economic Purposes I
English Language I
Skills for Language Specialists
English Language II
Contemporary Britain I

Professional training

You are encouraged to enrol on one of our BSc/BA four year degrees and spend your third year on professional placement in the UK or abroad (for example, in the voluntary sector, a government or local authority department, working for an MP or MEP, or participating in an internship offered by international or European organisations). Your period of Professional Training is closely linked to the content of your degree and also enables you to develop a range of relevant transferable skills which will enhance your employability.

Recent students have spent their placements helping to develop London transport policy at Transport for London, gaining experience of political lobbying through public relations agencies in London and Brussels, working at the Office of the London Mayor and at the local branch of political parties.

Current and previous providers of professional placements include Chelgate Limited (a lobbying/PR agency in London), South West Surrey Conservative Party, the London Assembly, Harvey Grammar School, the South East England Development Agency (Brussels Office), Weber Shandwick (a PR/lobbying agency in Brussels), the Shadow Defence Secretary’s Office and GlaxoSmithKline.

Career opportunities

Graduate prospects

Graduates over the last few years entered employment in roles such as:

YMCA – PA to Business Development Manager
Houses of Parliament – Researcher
International Institute for Strategic Studies – Researcher
Surrey County Council – Care Worker

Additional information

Teaching

The School’s excellence in teaching has been recognised with a number of awards and fellowships.

As part of the SCEPTrE scheme – which aims to promote excellence in Professional Training (placement learning) and enhance students’ experiences through enquiry-rich approaches – the School has been awarded fellowships to develop negotiation-based learning (Simon Usherwood, 2007), to incorporate survey design in teaching political psychology and electoral behaviour (Tereza Capelos, 2008), to develop enquiry-based learning (Jason Abbott, 2008) and to establish an enquiry-based learning group (Maxine David and Roberta Guerrina, 2008).

As part of the Teaching with New Technologies (TeNT) scheme – which encourages teachers to experiment with emerging technology – the School of Politics has received awards to work with interactive whiteboards (Simon Usherwood, 2007), to use Second Life to collect public opinion data (Tereza Capelos, 2008), to use social networking websites (Jason Abbott, 2008) and to develop a wiki for EU self-study (Roberta Guerrina and Maxine David, 2008).

Study placement and Erasmus

It is possible to spend your third year on study exchange with one of our European partner universities. These include: Aarhus University, Denmark; the University of Copenhagen, Denmark; the University of Cyprus; and the University of Łód´z, Poland (partners offer courses or allow for directed study taught in English and have no impact on your overall degree classification). For more information, visit our website.

The advantages of participation in the Erasmus exchange scheme are numerous. They include exposure to a different culture and the challenges of living in a new country, and the opportunity to learn a new language and experience new teaching practices and approaches to political science/international relations.

These challenges and experiences ensure that students emerge from the Erasmus year with increased self-confidence and widened employment opportunities that derive from their improved language competencies and communication skills. Students also acquire a fresh perspective on their subject matter that significantly improves performance in their final year.

Politics research seminars

The School of Politics sponsors a regular research seminar series, which meets every two weeks during term-time and brings together academic staff and postgraduate and undergraduate students from the University. The purpose of the research seminars is to provide a forum for the presentation of cutting-edge research papers and to increase awareness among our students about developments in diverse themes of research in the field today.

We invite high-profile UK and international scholars to present their work and encourage discussions with the audience. All members of the University community are welcome to participate.

Student support advisor

Students might be faced with any number or type of issues unrelated to their academic work, which nevertheless have repercussions for their academic performance. Our professional student advisor staff provide a listening ear, co-ordinate a response or put in place a practical programme of action when necessary.

Personal tutors and peer mentoring

For some students, entering their first year at university and the prospect of starting a degree in a new environment may seem daunting. In a bid to ease this transition, all students are allocated a personal tutor from amongst the permanent staff in the School during Induction Week. Most students see the same personal tutor throughout their degree programme. The personal tutor’s role is primarily one of giving advice and support regarding personal or work-related difficulties. The School of Politics also offers a peer mentoring scheme where current students provide support to new arrivals.

Natalie de Freitas (Year 3 student) comments: “The student mentors aim to offer advice about studying and settling into university life as an alternative mode of support in a relaxed and relatable fashion. We mentors aim to advise our peers using our own experiences, mistakes and successes, in order to provide an alternative form of support for new students who are starting their own exciting university experience, just as we did.”

Active in outreach

The School of Politics is engaged in several stimulating outreach projects and opens its doors to students of local schools and colleges.

Regular activities involve: giving research-related talks to secondary education institutions and neighbouring universities; contributing to the Education Liaison programme; hosting a politics conference for schools; AS and A2 revision lectures and a Question Time event incorporating an essay competition with a prize; organising a Politics Month which includes a number of politics events; and launching a survey of British politics and electoral preferences in the wider Surrey community.

Research in the School of Politics

Members of the School of Politics conduct research and publish on a range of topics, covering areas such as citizenship and policy studies, defence and security, terrorism studies, international intervention, European politics, political communication and the media, political psychology, electoral behaviour, political theory and social exclusion. Your studies will therefore incorporate the latest thinking and research, with teaching delivered by leading experts.

Sir Mike Aaronson looks at why and how states intervene in the affairs of other states, and Dr Cristiano Bee is a specialist in European citizenship and public and political communication. Professor Marie Breen- Smyth researches political violence and international intervention, while Dr Tereza Capelos does research on reputation management, political scandals and accountability, voting behaviour, mass media and civic competence. Dr Laura Chappell focuses on EU Common Security and Defence Policy, and Dr Maxine David is a specialist in foreign policy analysis whose published work includes research into Russia as a marginal state.

Dr Tom Dyson is a specialist in defence, security and foreign policy analysis, while Dr Theofanis Exadaktylos focuses on EU common security and defence policy, and Professor Chris Flood has carried out theoretical and empirical work on political ideology and mythology. Dr Roberta Guerrina is a specialist in European Union government and politics, while Dr Jack Holland examines foreign and security policy, specialising in American, British and Australian foreign policy during the War on Terror. Dr Holland also focuses on foreign and security policy, while Dr Malte Kaeding is a specialist in international politics with a regional focus on East Asia and the Greater China region. Dr Luca Mavelli specialises in religion and Middle Eastern politics, and Professor Peter Jarvis investigates issues of European Union policy on lifelong learning, active citizenship and globalisation.

Professor Mark Olssen’s recent articles have addressed the political philosophy of liberalism, while Dr Simon Usherwood has published on various aspects of opposition to the European Union in France and the United Kingdom, and Professor Alex Warleigh- Lack investigates issues of European integration, comparative regional integration and green politics. He is also the executive director of the CRONEM centre which generates and facilitates collaborative research on EU studies, hosts an annual conference and provides a venue for workshops and visiting scholars.

Why Surrey?

Political Studies degrees 2013 at Surrey

The Guardian University Guide 2013 ranks Surrey fourteenth for its politics programmes. The Complete University Guide 2013 also ranks us in the top twenty
Benefit from the opportunity to spend a Professional Training year with an organisation committed to social or political change
You will learn to apply political ideas to real-world concerns – international, national, local
Gain from the strong focus placed on international politics
Excellent teaching and research quality ratings
Innovative teaching methods – including simulations of political negotiations
Enjoy excellent support in preparing for a wide range of graduate careers

The optional third-year placement was the perfect opportunity to put my acquired skills into practice and hone them further.

Roxanna Nazemi
BA Politics

When attending Surrey, the campus really did help ease me into university life. Everything is easily accessible and there are always people about to direct you to the right building. There are several bars and restaurants as well as the all-important Union Club, which occasionally plays host to famous DJs and bands.

Although I was among the first students to be taking a straight Politics degree at Surrey, the reputation of its predecessor, European Studies, was very positive. The prospect of a small department also appealed; with less than 30 people in the Department for my particular year, there was a real sense of familiarity between students.

Perhaps my favourite aspect of the course was the fortnightly seminars that took place for each module; with no more than 15 students per seminar, it was the perfect opportunity for debate and discussion in an intimate, informal setting.

The optional third-year placement was the perfect opportunity to put my acquired skills into practice and hone them further. I would strongly recommend undertaking a Professional Training year; it is as important to learn that you do not wish to pursue a career in a particular field as it is to establish that you do.

In addition to my studies, there were many ways in which I filled my time: attending theatre performances and live music shows; travelling as far and often as possible; reading, sports and, last but by no means least, socialising with the many people I met at Surrey!

The teaching experience was really good, with our lecturers having a wonderful breadth of knowledge within their area of expertise.

Steve Cottingham
BA Politics

I chose Surrey because it has a good reputation for graduate employment and the fact that I could travel to the University by local public transport.

The campus is compact enough to reach all of its parts within a reasonable time by walking, yet diverse enough to have a lake, a large expanse of green area and facilities that you would expect to find in a ‘village’ atmosphere – yet it’s in the county town of Surrey!

As a mature student, I thought that I might not fit in with my young classmates, yet I should have had no worries at all. The teaching experience was really good, with our lecturers having a wonderful breadth of knowledge within their area of expertise. The Department is friendly, with approachable and helpful staff.

During my time at Surrey I was involved in the University’s football club and was elected chair of the Students’ Union sports executive. I also wrote articles for the student newspaper and graced the radio studios of BBC Southern Counties and the University station GU2, to talk about being a mature student at Surrey.

I aim to put my Politics degree to good use and would like to work for a local charity or an NGO. The course has given me some advantages in marrying together my past experiences in work with the skills I have gained from the degree programme.