Program Overview

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BA Politics - 2026 entry

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. Opportunity to combine Politics with other subjects as part of our Combined Honours courses and our BA/BSc Flexible Combined Honours course.

Entry requirements (typical offer)

• Qualification: A-Level, IB, BTEC, GCSE, Access to HE, T-Level
• Typical offer:
  • A-Level: AAA
  • IB: 36/666
  • BTEC: DDD
  • GCSE: C or 4 (English Language)
  • Access to HE: 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade
  • T-Level: Distinction
• Contextual offers:
  • A-Level: ABB
  • IB: 32/655
  • BTEC: DDM

Course content

Year 1

• Stage 1: 60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
• Compulsory modules:
  • POL1000: Critical Skills for Politics and International Relations (15 credits)
  • POL1025: Classical Political Thought (15 credits)
  • POL1029: Introduction to Comparative Politics (15 credits)
  • POL1047: Global Sustainability Governance and Policy (15 credits)
• Optional modules: 60 credits of optional modules from all other POL1* modules

Year 2

• Stage 2: 60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
• Compulsory modules:
  • POL2046: The Economics of Politics (15 credits)
  • POL2059: Political Thought of Modernity (15 credits)
  • POL2102: Explaining Public Policies (15 credits)
  • POL2128: Introduction to Research Design in Politics and International Relations (15 credits)
• Optional modules: 60 credits of optional modules from all other POL2* modules

Placement year (if taken)

• With Study Abroad:
  • Stage 3: 120 credits of compulsory modules
  • Compulsory modules:
    • SSI3999: Year Abroad (120 credits)
• With Employment Experience:
  • Stage 3: 120 credits of compulsory modules
  • Compulsory modules:
    • SSI3020: Employment Experience (UK and Abroad) (120 credits)

Final year

• Stage 3: 60 credits of compulsory Dissertation and supporting module, 60 credits of optional modules
• Compulsory modules:
  • POL3100: Dissertation (45 credits)
  • POL3101: Futures of Politics (15 credits)
• Optional modules: 60 credits of optional modules from all other POL3* modules

Course variants

BA Politics with Study Abroad

• UCAS code: L240
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Streatham Campus
• Discipline: Politics and International Relations
• Contact: Web: Enquire online, Phone: +44 (0)
• Typical offer:
  • A-Level: AAA
  • IB: 36/666
  • BTEC: DDD
• Contextual offers:
  • A-Level: ABB
  • IB: 32/655
  • BTEC: DDM

BA Politics with Employment Experience

• UCAS code: L298
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Streatham Campus
• Discipline: Politics and International Relations
• Contact: Web: Enquire online, Phone: +44 (0)
• Typical offer:
  • A-Level: AAA
  • IB: 36/666
  • BTEC: DDD
• Contextual offers:
  • A-Level: ABB
  • IB: 32/655
  • BTEC: DDM

Fees

• Tuition fees for 2025 entry:
  • UK students: £9,535 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 applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year.

Learning and teaching

• How will I learn?
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Project and group work
  • Independent study
• How will I be assessed?
  • Exams
  • Essays
  • Projects
  • Individual and small group presentations
  • Dissertation in your final year

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:
  • Management Consultant
  • Parliamentary Caseworker and Researcher
  • Civil Servant
  • Film Production Coordinator
  • Officer Cadet
  • Analyst
  • Trainee Insurance Broker
  • Investment Assistant
  • Communications Officer
• Organisations:
  • 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:
  • 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
• Institutions:
  • University of Leicester
  • University of Exeter
  • King's College, London
  • University of Bristol

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.

Combine this subject with another through our Flexible Combined Honours course

• Shape your degree to match your interests and goals with our BA/BSc Flexible Combined Honours (FCH).
• This unique programme lets you study two or three subjects - even across departments - for example 'Archaeology and Geography' or 'English and Biological Sciences'.
• You’ll benefit from a varied learning environment, with the chance to meet and collaborate with a wide range of peers.
• You can also follow a themed interdisciplinary pathway to deepen your understanding of a specific topic.

Related courses

• Politics and International Relations BA (Cornwall)
• Politics and International Relations BSc
• Politics Philosophy and Economics BA
• Arab and Islamic Studies MArabic
• Middle East Studies BA
• Flexible Combined Honours