Politics

Politics is the study of power, how it is organised, legitimised, challenged, and exercised in the governance of human societies. It is a discipline that demands clear analytical thinking, an empirical understanding of how political systems actually work, and a willingness to engage with the ideas and ideologies that have shaped the modern world. At a moment of widespread uncertainty about the health of democratic institutions and the direction of international order, the ability to understand politics with rigour and depth has rarely been more important.

At Aberystwyth University, which is home to the world's first Department of International Politics, founded in 1919, this three-year full-time degree draws on over a century of pioneering scholarship in the field. You will explore the key dynamics that shape political life, including ideologies, political economy, social hierarchies, and the liberal international institutions that have structured world order since 1945. The department's distinctive emphasis on international politics gives the degree a particularly global orientation, and you will be encouraged to examine British and European politics within a wider world context rather than in isolation.

The typical entry tariff of 104 points reflects the broad and inclusive character of the programme.

You will develop critical analytical thinking, research skills, the ability to evaluate political arguments rigorously, and the written and oral communication capabilities that political study demands.

Graduates pursue careers in government, the civil service, international organisations, journalism, think tanks, political parties, NGOs, public affairs, policy research, and the voluntary sector. The analytical and communication skills that a politics degree develops are valued across many professional contexts. Postgraduate study in international relations, political theory, security studies, or public policy is a natural continuation.