Politics

Politics is the study of power: how it is organised, exercised, contested and legitimated in human societies. It examines political institutions, ideologies, democratic systems, international relations, policy-making, and the ideas and values that underpin different ways of organising collective life. It is a discipline that is simultaneously theoretical and empirical, asking not just what political systems exist but why they exist, what values they embody, and how they affect the lives of different groups of people.

At its best, political science is a demanding and morally serious discipline that equips you to engage with the most important questions facing contemporary societies.

At the University of Brighton, this three-year full-time degree gives you a strong foundation in political systems, ideologies, institutions, power and public policy. You will study comparative politics, examining how different political systems work and why they produce different outcomes, alongside international relations, British politics, political theory and the empirical analysis of political behaviour. A sandwich year placement and a work placement are built into the programme, giving you professional experience in a politically relevant context and helping you to develop the practical skills and networks that political careers often require.

Brighton's focus on preparing graduates for careers in government, policy, journalism, education and business is evident in the programme's design.

You will develop strong analytical and argumentative skills, the ability to work with complex evidence, and the capacity to communicate political ideas clearly and persuasively in writing and discussion.

Graduates from Brighton's politics degree move into the civil service, policy research, local government, journalism, business, the third sector, international organisations, education and political campaigning. The rigorous analytical training the degree provides is valued across many professional fields, and postgraduate study in politics, international relations, law or public policy is a common pathway.