Politics

Politics is the study of power: how it is acquired, organised, exercised and contested in societies, states, and across the international system. From the founding of political institutions and the making of constitutions to the management of democratic decline, the dynamics of populism, the causes of conflict, and the governance of global challenges such as climate change and migration, politics as a discipline provides the analytical tools to understand some of the most consequential forces shaping the world.

At Queen Mary University of London, this four-year full-time programme engages with both the theoretical traditions of political science and the empirical study of political systems and behaviour. You will study political theory and philosophy, comparative politics, political institutions, international relations, and policy analysis, developing both the conceptual frameworks and the research skills needed to engage seriously with political questions. Queen Mary's location in London places you close to the institutions of British government and politics, to international organisations and think tanks, and to a diverse civil society that is itself a subject of political study.

Graduates of Politics degrees are among the most broadly employable in any discipline. The civil service, diplomatic service, political parties and campaigns, think tanks, journalism, law, international organisations, NGOs, financial services, public affairs, and consultancy are all well-established career destinations. The analytical, research, and communication skills that politics develops are valued across any professional context that involves making sense of complex information and persuading others.

Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in politics, international relations, law, or public policy, and some develop academic careers as political scientists.