Program Overview

BA (Hons) Politics

The BA (Hons) Politics course at Manchester Metropolitan University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of politics and its various aspects. The course focuses on the dynamic power relations between individuals, social groups, and nations, making it an exciting way to unravel why the world works the way it does.

Course Overview

The course covers a wide range of social and public policy areas, exploring fundamental issues that affect communities in the UK and beyond. Students will study emancipatory political thought and theory, international politics, digital politics, and 'issue' politics such as environmentalism and climate change.

Features and Benefits

• Offers an in-depth and varied account of the nature of politics in the twenty-first century
• Staff have a variety of expertise in areas including critical international relations, digital politics, and US foreign policy
• Flexible study options, including joint honors degrees and a wide range of modules to study within BA (Hons) Politics
• The politics team is friendly, supportive, and passionate about the subject, providing an intellectually challenging environment for students
• Courses include practical skills training to ensure students are fully prepared for their future careers
• Opportunity to spend the third year on an industry placement or study overseas

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

• Teaching Excellence Framework: Overall gold status, meaning the university is rated as outstanding for its student experience
• National Student Survey 2025: 100% of students were positive about teaching staff being good at explaining things

Year 1

Year 1 provides a core grounding for students who may not have studied politics before, while extending the knowledge and skills of those who have already engaged with linked subjects at A-Level.

Core Modules

• Global Chronicles: The Making of the International Order
• Changing Nature: Perspectives from History, Philosophy, and Politics
• Political Debates and Ideologies
• The Making of Modern Britain: Political Culture and Society

Year 2

The second year offers option modules, allowing students to pursue their interests while developing the core grounding built up in Year 1.

Core Modules

• Fit for the Future
• Applied Research Methods for Politics and International Relations
• Modern Political Thought

Option Modules

• Critical Perspectives on War and Security
• Gender, Race, and Sexuality
• The Power of Protest and Popular Culture
• Global Political Thought
• Social and Public Policy
• Comparative and Regional Politics

Year 3

In the third year, students engage with the latest research in political science, with the opportunity to take part in this work. The third year also focuses on preparing students for what comes next.

Core Modules

• Politics Independent Project
• Global Political Order and Disorder

Option Modules

• The Politics of Climate Change and Sustainability
• Information and Security
• EU In Turmoil
• Postcolonial Perspectives: Decolonising Narratives
• Public and Social Policy Analysis
• Transatlantic Foreign Policy
• Critical Political Thought

Study and Assessment

• Year 1: 30% lectures, seminars, or similar; 70% independent study
• Year 2: 30% lectures, seminars, or similar; 70% independent study
• Year 3: 25% lectures, seminars, or similar; 75% independent study
• Assessment: 100% coursework for all years

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer: 104-112 UCAS tariff points
• IELTS score: 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5
• UK students: 104-112 UCAS tariff points, with specific requirements for different qualifications (e.g., GCE A levels, Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma)
• International students: IB Diploma with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalized. Information on 2025/26 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students is available.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Employed or in further study: 88.7% of UK-domiciled, full-time, first-degree graduates
• Graduate Outcomes survey 2021/22 leavers, HESA data
• Careers Service support, including Future Me and Rise, to help students get ready for further study or working life
• Opportunities to meet employers, prepare for interviews, and access services and support to start and boost careers

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) International Relations
• BA (Hons) Joint Honours History and Politics
• BA (Hons) Joint Honours History and International Relations

Disclaimers

• Programme review: Our programs undergo annual and major reviews to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology.
• Important notice: This online prospectus provides an overview of our programs of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus to ensure accurate course information.
• Confirmation of regulator: The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS).