Politics

Politics is the study of power: how it is obtained, exercised, contested, and constrained. It asks why governments make the choices they do, how international relations shape the lives of people who never meet a diplomat, and what democratic participation actually means in practice. A politics degree develops your ability to construct and evaluate arguments, to read complex texts carefully, and to understand the historical and institutional context that gives current events their meaning.

At Durham, one of the UK's leading universities for the social sciences, this three-year full-time degree begins with a foundation year, opening the programme to students who have the intellectual potential to thrive but who benefit from a supported transition into degree-level study. The main programme covers political theory, British and comparative politics, international relations, and political economy, and you will engage with debates that span the full spectrum of the discipline. A sandwich year and work placement activity give you the opportunity to connect your academic learning to professional environments, whether that is in government, policy organisations, think tanks, NGOs, or the private sector.

A year abroad is also available, allowing you to study political systems in a different country and to bring that comparative perspective to bear on your final year work.

Politics graduates are among the most versatile in the job market. The analytical, research, and communication skills developed on the degree transfer well to almost any professional context. Graduates go into politics and public administration, the civil service, journalism, law, finance, consulting, international development, and the charity sector.

The foundation year route means that the programme serves students from a wide range of starting points, and Durham's reputation adds further weight to the qualification at a competitive entry tariff of 152 points. Postgraduate study in politics, international relations, public policy, or law is a common next step.