The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements
Politics
BA (Hons)
Key facts
Start dates
September 2022 / September 2023
Location
Course length
Full time: 3 years
Part time: up to 6 years
Department
UCAS Tariff Points
104
Overview
Our Politics course exposes the links between politics and power. You will investigate:
- the roots and nature of political activity
- governments and types of governances
- power and rule under democratic and non-democratic regimes.
You will have the chance to design your own course after Year 1. We offer a flexible, modular course of study which allows you to explore specific interests in politics.
We offer fantastic work placement opportunities with MPs, Local Councillors and voluntary organisations. These help you prepare fully for today’s employment market.
Oxfordshire has one of the highest numbers of non-governmental organisations in the country. You will have an excellent chance to pursue some unique career opportunities.
At Oxford Brookes you study Politics as a combined honours degree alongside another, selected subject. Alternatively, you can study our single honours degrees:

Joint honours options
You can study this course as part of a joint honours degree. This course can be joined with:
How to apply
Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 104
A Level: BCC
IB Points: 29
BTEC: DMM
Contextual offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 88
A Level: CCD
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM
Further offer details
For combined honours, normally the offer will lie between the offers quoted for each subject.
Applications are also welcomed for consideration from applicants with European qualifications, international qualifications or recognised foundation courses. For advice on eligibility please contact Admissions: admissions@brookes.ac.uk
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, or if you would like more preparation before you start, you can take an international foundation course. Once you enrol, you will have a guaranteed pathway to this degree if you pass your foundation course with the required grades.
If you only need to meet the language requirements, you can take our pre-sessional English course. You will develop key language and study skills for academic success and you will not need to take an external language test to progress to your degree.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.
Find out more about transferring to Brookes. If you'd like to talk through your options, please contact our Admissions team.
Application process
Full time Home (UK) applicants
Apply through UCASPart time Home (UK) applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityInternational applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityFull time international applicants can also apply through UCAS
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Please note tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.
Financial support and scholarships
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
We do not expect students to purchase any compulsory course books, as they are all available in the library. If students wish to purchase additional books to supplement their reading, this is at their own discretion.
Students organise placements themselves, and are responsible for their own travel and associated costs - it is advised that they organise placements bearing this in mind. Oxfordshire based placements are accessible via public transport - often via the University’s subsidised BROOKESbus service, which is free to bus pass holders. Placements in London will incur higher travel costs; for example, a day return ticket on the Oxford Tube costs £14 (subject to change, for the latest fares see the Oxford Tube website). It is encouraged that students explore opportunities for their placement provider to cover travel costs if they opt for a placement which is not local.
Learning and assessment
On this course you will study the real world and develop the skills to make sense of it.
In Year 1 you will develop the academic skills you need to study politics. Our Introduction to Politics module encourages you to examine Politics by looking at individual, society and political ideologies. You will also study the Politics in Comparative Perspective module, which compares different types of political systems.
In Years 2 and 3 you can choose from modules in subjects including:
- political thought
- researching politics
- international relations
- counter terrorism
- conflict and peace-building
- the political sociology of crime and disorder
- identity and politics.
You can also study a module on the politics and governance of states and regions such as:
- the UK
- the USA
- Europe
- Central Asia
- Russia
- South Africa.
You can write a dissertation in your final year, as part of the honours component of our course. You will produce an extended, original piece research. This gives you the opportunity to specialise in one of your fields, or combine them both in a project.

Learning and teaching
Our teaching staff are active researchers and their research directly informs your learning.
Our teaching methods include:
- role play exercises
- group work
- video presentations
- podcasts
- placement learning
- individual tutorials
- lectures and seminars.
You can attend our Centre for Global Politics, Economy and Society seminars, where speakers from other universities discuss their research.
We host our ‘Politics at Work’ seminar series for those interested in a career in international development / humanitarian aid.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
We assess you with coursework and examinations. Coursework includes:
- essays
- group projects
- field trips
- role play
- individual and group seminar presentations.
We assess some modules through an examination, and others solely through your work during the semester.
After you graduate
Career prospects
A Politics degree from Oxford Brookes means excellent employment potential. Our graduates have made successful careers in a variety of professions, including social work, management, teaching, lecturing, publishing, journalism, advertising, local government, law and the trade unions. Career destinations also include an MP and roles within political parties or as parliamentary researchers.
Recent graduates have gone in to roles including a Constituency Caseworker, Graduate Intern, Policy analyst and Media Analyst, and many have gone on to further study in subjects such as Law, International Business, Contemporary European Studies, and Politics and Governance.
Further study
A number of our graduates have progressed to postgraduate study, and we are keen to encourage our undergraduates to undertake their own research as part of their studies.
As well as offering supervision in a range of areas for research degrees, the department also runs an International Relations master's programme, which places an emphasis on gaining critical perspectives on contemporary theory and practice. You can study either an MA in International Relations; MA in International Relations (distance learning) or an MA in International Security.
Our Staff
Dr Cristiano Bee
His area of expertise focuses on civil society studies, with a particular interest in the activities of social NGOs operating at the EU level but also in a number of countries (such as the UK, Italy, and Turkey).
Read more about CristianoFree language courses
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Programme Changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.