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Politics

BA (Hons)

Key facts
Overview
How to apply
Tuition fees
Learning and assessment
After you graduate
Student profiles
Our Staff
Free language courses

Key facts

Start dates

September 2020 / September 2021

Location

Headington

Course length

Full time: 3 years

Part time: up to 6 years

Department

Department of Social Sciences

UCAS Tariff Points

104

Order a Prospectus

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Attend an open day or webinar

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:

Students having a discussion

Combine this course

You can study this course as part of a combined honours degree. This course can be combined 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

What is a contextual offer?

UCAS Tariff Points: 88

A Level: CCD

IB Points: 27

BTEC: MMM

Further offer details

If you accept a Conditional offer to this course as your Firm choice through UCAS, and the offer does not include a requirement to pass an English language test or improve your English language, we may be able to make the offer Unconditional. Please check your offer carefully where this will be confirmed for each applicant.

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 language requirements

Please see the University's standard English language requirements.

International qualifications and equivalences

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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 with credit for prior learning. Each application is individually assessed by our credit entry tutors. 

If you would like more information about whether or not you may be eligible for the award of credit, for example from an HND, partly-completed degree or foundation degree, please contact our Admissions team.

We operate the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.

Application process

Full time Home / EU applicants

Apply through UCAS

Part time Home / EU applicants

Apply direct to the University

International applicants

Apply direct to the University

Full time applicants can also apply through UCAS

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home/EU full time
£9,250
Home/EU part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£13,900
Home/EU full time
£9,250 (subject to agreement of Office for Students)
Home/EU part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£14,300
International part time
£1,785 per single module

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Tuition fees

2020 / 21
Home/EU full time
£9,250
Home/EU part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£13,900
2021 / 22
Home/EU full time
£9,250 (subject to agreement of Office for Students)
Home/EU part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£14,300
International part time
£1,785 per single module

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Please note tuition fees for Home/EU 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 and EU students at the maximum permitted level.

Financial support and scholarships

For general sources of financial support, see our Fees and funding pages.

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.

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.

Student studying

Study modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Introduction to Politics

An investigation of the nature of politics and political study, through examination of political behaviour (processes of political socialisation, the nature of political culture and the ways in which individuals participate in a democratic society) and the role of ideas and ideologies in informing individual and collective behaviour.

Politics in Comparative Perspective

This module examines and compares the nature of democratic politics; such as governmental institutions and political processes in a number of systems, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the USA and the European Union.

Academic Literacy in Politics and International Relations

This module aims to develop and enhance Students' academic literacy skills through an exploration of the art, craft and science of Politics and International Relations. Students are invited to explore the nature and scope of these two disciplines via practical and analytical activities and content. This includes a focus on critical issues, questions they seek to answer, and what the academic, educational and social value of these disciplines are.

Optional modules

Introduction to International Relations 2: Themes and Issue (Recommended)

This two-part module examines some of the key themes and issues in contemporary world politics. Part one introduces the actors, structures, and processes of world politics; outlining core themes such as the international system of states and international society, transnational and global society, the global political economy, international organisations, institutions and transnational actors. It analyses concepts such as anarchy, order, sovereignty, conflict and co-operation among states and non-state actors. Part two goes on to examine a number of immediate and chronic issues in world politics to demonstrate a) how they are managed and b) what they tell us about the nature of governance in the international system.

Foundations of Social Theory

This module offers a general introduction to the principle themes and concerns of social theory; starting with the works of classical sociological theorists Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber. It considers how their work has shaped the discipline of sociology, as well as different sociological traditions. The module also explores a number of contemporary developments, debates and approaches in social theory, and considers their contributions to understanding social relations today.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Political Thought 1

A historical and critical examination of political thought and international theory, beginning with Machiavelli and concluding with Bentham. Students will reflect on how historic theories of international and national politics are to be understood and assessed conceptually.

Researching Politics and International Relations

The aim of this module is to locate political science and international relations with reference to debates about the nature of social science, so that students may begin to make informed choices about their own modes of inquiry. Students will be introduced to debates about the nature of ‘the political’ (ontology), what we can know about it (epistemology) and how different modes of inquiry are derived from these debates

Optional modules

Dilemmas of Governing

Nationalism and Regime Change

Political Thought 2

This develops from Political Thought 1, beginning with Kant and concluding with de Beauvoir. Specific theorists such as Kant, Hegel, Marx, Mill, Nietzsche and de Beauvoir will be examined and general themes such as gender, sovereignty and the end of history in relation to the politics of states and the international arena will be investigated.

State and Society: Europe and the United States

This module offers an exploration into the social and political foundations of European states and societies. It looks at the processes of nation - and state-building and the relationship between the state, market and society, consolidation of European models of capitalism and the construction of European approaches to citizenship. The future of European states and societies and their ability to respond to contemporary social and political challenges is evaluated through a historical and comparative perspective.

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Dissertation in Politics or Interdisciplinary Dissertation

This module provides the opportunity for independent research under supervision. Students choose a dissertation topic under advice from staff in the International Relations field.

Optional modules

Democratic Challenges in Russia and the EU

Violence, and the Politics of Peace and Identity

This course probes the links between identity as a localised practice and globalised forms of domination, exclusion and violence. It explores a wide range of foundational and contemporary literature from international relations, feminist, postcolonial and poststructural theory to ask questions about the ways in which particular bodies are raced, classed, gendered and sexualized, and the personal/political implications of this.

Freedom and Justice in Contemporary Political Theory

An examination of key political concepts, freedom, justice, and the community, taking account of affiliated concepts including rights and equality. In considering these concepts, differing theoretical treatments of them will be related to the roles they play in the practical world of politics.

South African Politics: From Apartheid to Democracy

This module will provide students with a detailed examination of the political economy of South Africa. It begins with an analysis of the legacy of South Africa’s history before surveying some of the key issues in the political economy of post-apartheid South Africa. It assesses the links between the historical legacies of apartheid and the unique nature of some of the problems encountered in South Africa today.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

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.

Student profiles

Imy K. Awan

"Oxford Brookes is very accommodating to its students, and enables you to tailor your degree to your own needs"

Read more about Imy K.

Clarissa Fennell

"The lecturers were very passionate about their subjects and always very generous with their time. They were always available, if I needed some clarification or wanted to talk more generally about a particular module. Also, having access to the Bodleian library in my final year was a great help when researching for my dissertation"

Read more about Clarissa

Janie Armitage

"It is fascinating to study how the political and economic world interacts, and all the factors that influence it. I also think that the lecturers are fantastic. They are all engaged with their subjects and the teaching is first class"

Read more about Janie

Laura Natara Malave

"I love Oxford because despite being a small city it makes such a big impact in the world. As a student here you will have access to opportunities that students from other parts of England can only dream of having"

Read more about Laura Natara

Marcin Iwankiewicz

"Oxford is the perfect place to engage in extracurricular activities: Blackwell's Bookshop organises some great public lectures on challenging topics, especially in Philosophy"

Read more about Marcin

Philly Alway

"It was important to me that I could tailor my degree to my interests, in order to get the most out of my time studying. The opportunity to study Politics combined with Communication, Media and Culture was not offered at many other universities"

Read more about Philly

Our Staff

Dr Christiano 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 Christiano

Dr Christiano 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 Christiano

Free 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.

More about free language 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.