European Politics BA

Key information

• Course type: Single honours
• Delivery mode: In person
• Study mode: Full time
• Required A-level: AAA
• Full entry requirements, including contextual requirements
• Duration: Three years
• Application status: Open
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline: 29 January 2025
• Optional study abroad
• Apply via UCAS

Course essentials

• Introduction to Politics (30 credits)
• The Making of Modern Europe (30 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • British Politics (15 credits)
  • Introduction to International Economics (30 credits)
  • The Emergence of the Modern German State (15 credits)
  • French Political Thought (15 credits)
  • Revolution & Reaction in Modern France: An Introduction to Modern French History (15 credits)
  • Making the Modern World, 1900-present (15 credits)
  • Principles of Economics (15 credits)
  • Public Law (30 credits)
  • European Law (30 credits)
  • Understanding Russia (15 credits)
  • Global Iberias Perspectives: An Introduction to the Spanish and Portuguese Speaking Worlds (15 credits)
  • The Causes and Consequences of War (30 credits)

Entry requirements

• Subject requirements: None
• Preferred subjects: None
• A-Levels:
  • Required grades: AAA
  • Notes: A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills, and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma:
  • 36 points overall or an aggregate score of 18 from three Higher Levels
  • Note: The total point score of 36 includes TOK/EE
• Alternative accepted qualifications:
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • BTEC Nationals/CTECs
  • Cambridge Pre-U
  • European Baccalaureate
  • Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Teaching methods - what to expect

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Independent Study
• Face-to-face teaching complemented and supported with innovative technology
• Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work

Assessment

• Assessed Essays
• Coursework
• Examinations
• Individual & Group Presentations

Structure

• Courses are divided into modules
• Each year, you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits
• This is a three-year degree course in which you will take a combination of required and optional modules to total 360 credits

Employability

• Your European Politics BA will give you a firm grounding that opens up a range of careers, including in EU institutions and national governments, in journalism or public relations, or in consultancies, think tanks, and charitable organisations or NGOs
• Recent European Politics BA graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:
  • UK Civil Service
  • Schuman Trainee, European Parliament
  • Campaign Strategist, Shape History
  • Parliamentary Assistant, House of Commons
  • KYC Analyst, Credit Agricole CIB
  • Chargée de Mission Section Euratlantique, chez Etat-Major de l’Armée de Terre

Tuition Fees

• Full time tuition fees UK: £9,535 per year
• Full time tuition fees International: £30,000 per year
• Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions
• All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 against their first year's tuition fee

Funding

• To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's, please visit the Fees and Funding section.

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Degree Overview:

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European Politics BA

This intensive program provides an in-depth exploration of politics and governance, with a particular focus on Europe. Over three years, students delve into the domestic policies of European countries, gain detailed knowledge of the European Union's integration and its impact on member states, and analyze Europe's position within the international system.

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Objectives:

• Equip students with a comprehensive understanding of politics and government.
• Foster expertise in European politics, including domestic policies, EU integration, and the international role of Europe.
• Develop critical analysis skills and research capabilities.
• Prepare graduates for diverse career paths in various fields, including public service, international organizations, research, and more.

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Unique features:

• Taught by a multinational faculty with diverse expertise in political science, international relations, and international political economy.
• Offers students the flexibility to pursue their own interests by choosing from a wide range of optional modules covering various countries and thematic areas.
• Provides an in-depth perspective of European governments, politics, and histories.
• Fosters close collaboration with departments and institutes across King's College London, including the Department of International Development, War Studies, and the Department of Political Economy.
• Enhances the learning experience by equipping students with key research methodology skills.
• Offers an optional study abroad program in Europe, Canada, the USA, and South-East Asia during the second semester of the second year.
• Ranked 4th in the UK for Politics by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

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Outline:

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Year 1:

• Introduction to Politics
• The Making of Modern Europe
• A range of optional modules to focus studies, such as:
• The modern German state
• Understanding Russia
• Global Iberian perspectives
• British politics
• International economics
• The causes of war

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Year 2:

• Political Analysis and Research Methods in Political Science
• The Integration of the European Union
• A variety of thematic modules, including:
• Resisting racial capitalism
• Comparative European politics
• Foreign Policy Analysis
• International Political Economy
• Modules focusing on specific countries, including:
• Nationalism in Spain
• Politics and society in France
• Institutions, identity and society in Russia

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Year 3:

• Entirely composed of optional modules for tailored specialization.
• Potential modules include:
• The Political Economy of the Financial Crisis
• European Public Policy
• The Middle East in the Global Political Economy
• Contemporary French, German, or Spanish politics
• Authoritarianism
• EU-Africa relations
• European gender politics
• Corporate social responsibility
• The political economy of inequality
• Completion of a 10,000 word dissertation on a chosen research topic.

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Assessment:

• Coursework: Essays, assignments, and projects demonstrating understanding and application of learned concepts.
• Examinations: Written assessments testing knowledge and analytical skills.
• Individual & Group Presentations: Opportunities to showcase research findings, critical thinking, and communication abilities.

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Teaching:

• Teaching methods: A mix of lectures, seminars, and independent study to cater to diverse learning styles and engage students actively.
• Faculty: Experienced and renowned academics with expertise in European politics and related fields.
• Delivery: Face-to-face teaching complemented by innovative technology to enhance the learning experience.

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Careers:

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Potential career paths:

• EU institutions and national governments
• Journalism and public relations
• Consultancies, think tanks, and NGOs
• Recent graduates have secured roles in:
• UK Civil Service
• Schuman Trainee, European Parliament
• Campaign Strategist, Shape History
• Parliamentary Assistant, House of Commons
• KYC Analyst, Credit Agricole CIB
• Chargée de Mission Section Euratlantique, chez Etat-Major de l’Armée de Terre

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Resources:

• On-demand content, taster lectures, and talks with staff and students available on the program's hub page.
• Access to King's College London's extensive alumni network and dedicated career services.

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Other:

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Optional Study Abroad:

King's partners with universities around the globe, offering students the opportunity to study abroad and broaden their horizons.

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Full time tuition fees UK: The UK tuition fee for the 2024-25 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap. Full time tuition fees International The International tuition fee for the 2024-2025 academic year is £27,996 per year. Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions. All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2000 against their first year's tuition fee.