Politics

Politics is the study of power: who has it, how it is acquired, how it is used and whether those who exercise it are accountable to those over whom they exercise it. These are questions that matter in every society, and the analytical tools that political science provides for addressing them are among the most important in the social sciences. At Brunel University London, this three-year full-time degree includes a year abroad and develops your understanding of political systems, ideologies, institutions and movements through a combination of empirical study and theoretical analysis.

You will study comparative politics, examining how different countries organise their political systems and what the consequences of different choices about electoral systems, constitutions and party systems are. International relations introduces you to how states interact, how conflict and cooperation emerge between them and how international organisations and regimes attempt to govern global problems. Political theory engages with the foundational ideas of liberalism, democracy, justice, rights and legitimacy, asking what political arrangements are defensible rather than simply describing what exists.

The year abroad places your political education in an international context, giving you direct experience of another political system. A typical entry tariff of around 104 points is expected.

Politics graduates enter careers in the civil service, journalism, think-tanks, political parties and organisations, international bodies, the voluntary sector, law, management consulting and the full range of policy-relevant professions. The analytical and communication skills the degree develops are valued wherever complex problems require clear thinking and persuasive argument, and many graduates proceed to postgraduate study in politics, international relations, law or public policy, or into professional political life itself.