Politics, BA (Hons)

The BA (Hons) Politics degree is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of British and European politics, public policy, political theory, and philosophy. The program aims to develop transferable skills, highly valued by employers, and open up exciting career possibilities.

Course Overview

The three-year degree involves exploring various aspects of politics, including British and European politics, public policy, political theory, and philosophy. Students have the opportunity to take an internship with the Welsh Assembly Government and a British Parliamentary Studies module, partly taught by expert staff from the Houses of Parliament.

Key Course Details

• UK and International Fees: Ł9,535 (UK) and Ł20,150 (International) for the 2026-2027 academic year
• UCAS Code: L200 (3 Year Full Time), L204 (4 Year Full Time With a Year Abroad), L205 (4 Year Full Time With a Year in Industry)
• Mode of Study: Campus Based
• Typical Offer: BBB-BCC
• Location: Singleton Park Campus

Modules

The course is divided into three years, with a range of compulsory and optional modules.

Year 1 (Level 4)

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Politics and the People
  • Introduction to Politics
  • Disinformation, Ideology and Bias: Researching and examining political data
• Optional Modules (Semester 1):
  • Europe of Extremes
  • Living Well and Doing Good - An Introduction to Ethics
  • Critical Reasoning
  • Fundamental Issues in Philosophy
  • Introduction to International Relations
• Optional Modules (Semester 2):
  • An Introduction to American History and Politics
  • Introduction to Ancient Philosophy and Rhetoric
  • Statws y Gymraeg
  • Reading Great Works of Philosophy
  • Political Philosophy
  • War and Peace in the Nuclear Age

Year 2 (Level 5)

• Compulsory Modules:
  • The State and Political Institutions
  • The History of Political Thought
  • British Politics and Public Policy
• Optional Modules (Semester 1):
  • Disunited Kingdom? Class, Race, Gender and Social Division in Twentieth-Century Britain
  • Philosophy of the Enlightenment
  • Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations
  • Globalisation
  • America in Crisis: From the Tet Offensive to Trump
  • Investigating Gender
  • Devolution, Policy Making and Social Change
  • The Global First World War
• Optional Modules (Semester 2):
  • A Matter of Life and Death: Exploring Existential Philosophy
  • Contemporary Moral Controversies
  • International Security
  • Global Summit Simulation
  • Contemporary Wars and Conflicts
  • The Global South in International Relations: Diplomacy, Development, and Resistance

Year 3 (Level 6)

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Researching Politics 1
  • Researching Politics 2
• Optional Modules:
  • Dissertation
  • Senedd Cymru/The Welsh Parliament
• Optional Modules (Semester 1):
  • The Russian Civil War
  • Philosophy, Mental Health and Illness
  • Parliamentary Studies
  • Capitalism and Justice
  • Genocide
  • Clear and Present Danger: America and Terrorism
  • The Rise and Fall of Wales? Politics, Culture and Society
• Optional Modules (Semester 2):
  • The Philosophy and Politics of Identity
  • Digital Futures
  • Shadow Wars: US Presidents and covert action from the Cold War to Trump
  • America and the Bomb
  • Global Environmental Politics

Entry Requirements

• A level: BBB-BCC
• BTEC: DDM-DMM
• UK Access: in Humanities or Social Sciences - minimum of 21 Distinctions and 24 Merits at Level 3
• T Levels: Merit
• Mixed Qualifications: 120 UCAS tariff points from 3 highest qualifications
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points

How You're Taught

The course combines a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions. Digital learning tools, such as recorded lectures and online resources, are also used to enhance the learning experience.

Welsh Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. However, the University can provide support for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually.

Meet Your Lecturers

The course is taught by experts in the field, with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the 2026-2027 academic year are Ł9,535 (UK) and Ł20,150 (International).

Funding and Scholarships

The University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support students with their studies.

Additional Costs

Students may face additional costs, including travel to and from campus, printing, photocopying, and equipment costs.

Careers and Employability

The Careers and Employability Team provides support and guidance to help students achieve their career goals.

Academic Support

The Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops, and one-to-one support to help students develop their academic skills.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

The University offers a range of study abroad and global opportunities, including semester and year abroad programs.

How to Apply

Students can apply through UCAS or the University's online application system.

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines for the 2026-2027 academic year are available on the University's website.

Additional Information

For more information about the course, please contact the University's admissions team.

Degree Overview:

Our BA (Hons) Politics degree can open up a range of exciting career possibilities by helping you to develop transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers. The three-year degree involves exploring British and European politics, public policy, political theory and philosophy. You have the chance to take an internship with the Welsh Assembly Government and a British Parliamentary Studies module, partly taught by expert staff from the Houses of Parliament.

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Outline:

You will study in one of the select departments in the UK to offer the British Parliamentary Studies module, where you will be taught by our specialist academic staff and Members of Parliament, and you will visit the House of Commons. You will have the competitive option of undertaking a work placement module with the National Assembly for Wales, working closely with Assembly Ministers.

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Careers:

Students on this course typically develop excellent oral and writing skills and you will learn to present your ideas in a range of formats, along with strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Our graduates are truly international and are employed all around the world. They have careers in: Education Government and politics Humanitarian organisations Business Media and public relations Law Public services

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

3 Year Full Time Start Date UK International September 2023 £ 9,000 Tuition Fees 3 Year Full Time Start Date UK International September 2023 £ 9,000 £ 17,450 September 2024 £ 9,000 £ 18,300 4 Year Full Time With a Year Abroad Start Date UK International September 2023 £ 9,000 £ 17,450 September 2024 £ 9,000 £ 18,300 4 Year Full Time With a Year In Industry Start Date UK International September 2023 £ 9,000 £ 17,450 September 2024 £ 9,000 £ 18,300 Fees for full time Undergraduate UK students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government. Fees for full time Undergraduate EU/International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study. During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, year abroad or placement year) a lower fee will apply. For more information visit our tuition fees page. You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page. You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page. Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1920 as University College of Swansea
• Received its Royal Charter in 1948, becoming Swansea University
• Consistently ranked among the top 30 universities in the UK
• Home to over 20,000 students from over 140 countries
• Notable achievements include:
  • 2019 Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its work in developing and delivering innovative teaching methods
  • 2018 Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
  • 2017 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results showed that 90% of Swansea University's research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent

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Student Life:

• Over 150 student clubs and societies
• Sports teams in a variety of disciplines, including rugby, football, and basketball
• Student support services include:
  • Counseling and mental health support
  • Disability support
  • Financial advice
  • International student support
• Campus facilities include:
  • Bay Campus: Modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities, including a library, sports center, and student union
  • Singleton Campus: Historic campus with a mix of traditional and modern buildings, including the iconic Singleton Abbey
  • Tycoch Campus: Home to the College of Engineering and the School of Management

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Academics:

• Academic resources include:
  • Over 400 undergraduate and postgraduate programs
  • World-class research facilities
  • Extensive library resources
• Faculty:
  • Over 1,000 academic staff, including internationally renowned researchers and industry experts
• Teaching methodologies:
  • Focus on student-centered learning
  • Use of innovative teaching methods, such as problem-based learning and flipped classrooms
• Academic support services:
  • Academic skills workshops
  • Writing center
  • Math and statistics support
• Unique academic programs or initiatives:
  • Swansea Employability Academy: Provides students with opportunities to develop employability skills
  • Swansea University Global: Offers international study and research opportunities

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Top 30 UK university
• Excellent teaching and research
• World-class facilities
• Strong industry connections
• Vibrant student life
• Notable alumni include:
  • Michael Sheen, actor
  • Catherine Zeta-Jones, actress
  • Sir Terry Matthews, entrepreneur

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center
• Housing services
• Library resources:
  • Over 1 million books and journals
  • Access to online databases and e-resources
• Technology support:
  • Free Wi-Fi across campus
  • Computer labs and printing facilities
• Career development services:
  • Career counseling
  • Job search assistance
  • Employer networking events