Politics

Politics is the academic discipline that examines how governments function, how power is exercised, and how the relationship between states, institutions, and citizens plays out across the full range of political contexts, from local communities to the global stage. It asks why some countries are governed democratically and others are not, how international organisations manage or fail to manage collective problems, what drives conflict and cooperation between states, and how social movements and citizens can shape political outcomes. A politics degree trains you to think clearly and rigorously about these questions, using theory, evidence, and comparative analysis.

At the University of Westminster, this three-year, full-time degree gives you an understanding of the relationship between government and society in regions all over the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America, and South America. A year abroad is incorporated into the programme, giving you the chance to study politics in a different national and institutional context, which significantly deepens your comparative analytical perspective. A typical entry tariff of 88 points reflects the accessible and inclusive standard of entry for this programme.

Graduates go on to work in government and public policy, the civil service, journalism and broadcasting, international organisations, think tanks, political parties, NGOs, law, public affairs, research, and a wide range of other fields where analytical thinking about politics and society is valued. The skills developed in a politics degree, including the ability to interpret complex information, to reason about contested questions, and to communicate clearly and persuasively, are genuinely transferable. Postgraduate study in politics, international relations, public policy, or law is a well-supported further step for those seeking to specialise.