Politics

Politics is the study of how power is organised, contested, and exercised, and why it matters for the way we live. It examines the ideas that justify or challenge authority, the institutions through which decisions are made, the processes by which governments rise and fall, and the domestic and international forces that shape policy. In an era of rapid political change, the ability to think clearly about power has never been more valuable.

At Royal Holloway, University of London, you will explore the ideas and ideologies, as well as the processes, institutions, and issues that are fundamental to understanding politics in our times. The three-year full-time degree offers considerable flexibility: you can pursue a placement year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, all of which allow you to test and extend your academic learning in professional and international contexts. These structural features mean you can graduate with direct experience of political, public, or private sector environments alongside your degree.

You will develop skills in rigorous analysis, persuasive written and oral argument, the critical evaluation of evidence, and the ability to engage with complex problems from multiple perspectives. Politics trains you to question assumptions, to understand how interests shape outcomes, and to think carefully about competing visions of justice, freedom, and equality. These are capabilities that serve you well across a wide range of careers.

Graduates from politics degrees go on to work in government, public administration, the civil service, political campaigning, journalism, think tanks, NGOs, international organisations, law, business, and the media. The combination of analytical rigour and communication skills that the subject develops makes politics graduates attractive to employers across sectors. Postgraduate study in political science, international relations, public policy, or law is a further option for those who wish to specialise or pursue research, and many graduates find that a master's degree opens doors to more senior policy or academic roles.