Politics BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Four students sat at a table with laptops talking

Interested in how countries are governed and decisions made? A degree in Politics can help you to refine your power of judgment and your critical thinking.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Flexible part-time

Course code

L200

Start date

September 2024
January 2025 - condensed

Available through Clearing


Course overview

The Politics course at Coventry University is a vibrant, modern course that addresses many current political questions to help you understand the complex world we live in.

  • Politics is a broad discipline, concerned with governance, power, authority, citizenship and conflict resolution. Throughout your degree, the course covers political concepts around these issues and more, comparing your own government, its policies and decisions, with those of others around the world.
  • Politics should appeal to you if you have an interest in power, government, policy making, social movements or debating ideas. It also concerns wars and conflict resolution, the impact of globalisation and world events. The course includes a range of modules on British, American, European, Chinese and Middle Eastern politics.
  • There are opportunities and modules throughout the course dedicated to developing your professional career. Being able to practically apply what you have learnt is a vital aspect of the course, so there are opportunities to develop your skills needed for employment.
  • The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.
A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • An exciting and modern course that aims to sharpen your analytical skills and engage with political questions that are of vital concern for today’s world.
  • On successful completion of this course, you could go on to pursue a range of careers in the public, private and voluntary sectors in areas like the Civil Service, local government, the media, education, management, publishing, development, international organisations or follow postgraduate study.
  • Based on diverse forms of assessments, including essays, presentations, book reviews, reports, and blog posts. There are no formal written exams.
  • A vibrant and internationalised learning environment, in which students may have the opportunity to go on field trips and spend an additional year abroad or on a work placement in the UK2.
  • Taught by a friendly and skilled teaching team, many of whom are respected authors and expert media commentators. (Staff subject to change.)
  • If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

School of Humanities Showcase

Presenting two dedicated events, our student conference and an interactive online learning experience exploring global climate change.

Find out more
Humanities showcase banner

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements). 

Common first year courses

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

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field. 

Modules

In year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with: liberal democracy, the far right in contemporary Europe, and political thinkers, amongst others.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor. In your third year you will have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules, to total 120 credits overall. 

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants.

Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.


Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 10-12 contact hours per week in the third and final year as you become a more independent learner.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 15 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods can include:

  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Individual assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

You may have the opportunity to take part in an overseas study trip, or a full year abroad2.

If you do not speak a foreign language, we can arrange a study year at an institution where courses are taught in English. In the past, students on the course have spent time at the anti-mafia organisations Addio Pizzo and Libera in Sicily.


Entry requirements

Clearing places available on this course

See if you have enough points (UCAS tariff 2024)

Don't know your points total? Work it out
Additional requirements may apply

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Request fee information
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £16,800 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Condensed course – January start date

If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.

If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Students will benefit from studying on our well-equipped, modern campus 4.

Close up shot of an tablet screen being held by a student

Academic support

No matter which degree you’re studying, you’ll find a lot of support on campus, including the Centre of Academic Writing and sigma, which offers mathematics and statistics support.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

The Library

You will benefit from our support designed to help you succeed and our industry-relevant teaching and resources. These include our modern library and computing facilities, dedicated careers advice and Students’ Union.

Four sat in a pod looking at a laptop and talking

Confucius Institute

The School of Humanities is home to the Confucius Institute. This is a collaboration created through a partnership with Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, which aims to promote an understanding of the Chinese language and culture.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to: 

  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of influential ideas, ideologies, concepts, and theories used in the study of politics.
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of institutions, processes and policies utilised in contemporary government.
  • Demonstrate advanced awareness of the origins and character of the contemporary international system and the nature of world politics.
  • Identify and critically engage with differing approaches to, and key issues of debate within, the study of politics.
  • Critically assess, analyse and synthesize evidence collected through research from a range of diverse UK and non-UK sources.
  • Conduct independent research using primary and secondary sources relevant to the topic under study.
  • Work independently and in groups with increasing self-confidence and reflect upon the process of learning.
  • Demonstrate advanced communication skills, both written and oral, that can be transferred to a wide variety of professional contexts.

The course can enable you to choose from a variety of different career pathways that meet your particular interests.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and aims to give you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University's Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Where our graduates work

Some of our previous students have secured graduate-level jobs in the Civil Service, international organisations, local government, the media, private sector companies, the culture industry, further and higher education teaching and non-government organisations (NGOs).

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the International Relations MA, History MA and Politics MA. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study. 

Graduate Immigration Route visa

Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.


How to apply


Discover Uni stats