Politics
Politics is the systematic study of power, its origins, exercise and contestation, and of the institutions, processes and ideologies through which societies govern themselves. It asks how states are organised, how decisions are made and legitimised, how political parties and movements operate, how international relations are conducted, and how political change happens. The discipline draws on philosophy, history, economics and sociology, and it engages with some of the most pressing questions of the present moment, from the health of democratic institutions to the dynamics of globalisation and the politics of inequality.
At the University of the Highlands and Islands this four-year full-time programme is delivered through UHI's distinctive distributed campus model, combining digital and blended learning with face-to-face teaching at campuses across the Highlands and Islands and beyond. The structure allows students to study politics in a region with its own distinctive political character, shaped by devolution, island governance, land reform and the particular relationship between local communities and the Scottish and UK governments. You will engage with political theory, comparative politics, international relations, UK and Scottish politics and political research methods, developing both your analytical understanding and your ability to engage critically with political events and arguments.
Politics graduates enter a wide range of careers. The civil service at UK and Scottish levels, local government, political parties and the voluntary and charitable sector are all direct destinations. Journalism, public affairs, international organisations, think tanks, policy research and education are equally well-established paths.
The analytical and communication skills the degree develops, alongside a nuanced understanding of how political institutions work, are valued across many professional contexts. Postgraduate study in politics, international relations, public policy or law is a natural next step for those who wish to specialise.