Politics

Politics is the systematic study of power, authority, and the structures through which societies govern themselves and resolve conflict. At its heart it asks who gets what, when, and how, and why those distributions look the way they do. It is a discipline that connects the most abstract questions about justice and legitimacy to the very concrete realities of elections, legislation, international diplomacy, and social movements.

Studying it means learning to move between those levels, bringing both theoretical rigour and empirical awareness to bear on the world's most pressing challenges.

At Loughborough University this three-year full-time degree focuses on the key issues and ideas that drive policy and political argument in a rapidly changing world. You will develop a thorough grounding in political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and policy analysis, engaging with the questions that shape contemporary democratic life. The typical entry tariff of 136 points reflects the academic standard expected of students on the programme.

You will develop strong analytical and research skills, the ability to evaluate competing arguments critically, and the capacity to communicate complex ideas clearly in written and oral formats. Loughborough's wider campus environment, with its strong emphasis on employability and professional development, adds a practical dimension to the degree.

Graduates of politics degrees go on to careers in government and the civil service, journalism, public affairs and lobbying, international organisations, policy research, think tanks, the charitable sector, law, and international business. The analytical and communication skills that political science develops are valued across a wide range of professional contexts, and many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in politics, international relations, law, public policy, or security studies.