Politics BA (Hons)

Career prospects

Our graduates enjoy successful careers in a range of professions, including broadcasting, marketing and public relations, teaching in universities, colleges and schools, management, government (local, national and European), journalism and the civil service.

Former graduates include a member of parliament, an assistant chief constable, the secretary of the UK National Trust, a barrister, a partner in a New York-based advertising company, a Westminster-based political consultant, a features writer for The Independent and the news editor of a music weekly. They also include a human resources manager for Dell and a representative on the British Council’s mission abroad.

 

Work experience opportunities

Parliamentary Placement Scheme

We offer an exciting opportunity for students to participate in a Parliamentary Placement Scheme, a rare chance to fuse theoretical and practical knowledge of politics as well as enhancing your CV. MPs are keen to ensure that the placements are rewarding for the students. Students from BA Politics (Hons) or International Politics and Policy (Hons) can apply for the scheme and we expect to place around 7-10 students each year. As part of the scheme you will undertake a placement at Westminster in your third year, performing a range of political research and parliamentary duties that develop key skills, subject knowledge and increase employability.

Over recent Sessions students have obtained placements with MPs, including Andy Burnham, Luciana Berger, Louise Ellman, John Pugh and Gavin Williamson, amongst many others.

Postgraduate opportunities

• International Relations and Security MA
• Understanding Conflict MA

Qualifying you for life

A politics degree equips people with a wide range of transferable skills, which will be highly beneficial in any work-place setting. These include critical and analytical thinking, analysing evidence and constructing arguments, oral and written communication skills and time management. They would also encompass experience with a variety of information technologies (for the retrieval and presentation of information, including statistical or numerical data). Team working is also encouraged, as is independent study, which helps foster initiative, resourcefulness and self-reliance.