Politics

Description

Politics is one of the most dynamic and diverse academic subjects available and you will study everything from pressing issues of international crisis to the latest domestic political developments.

This flexible degree is an ideal choice if you have a general interest in politics. We cover all the main branches of the subject:

• international relations
• global politics
• political systems and institutions
• political philosophy

You can structure the course largely according to your own interests, choosing topics that span continents and ideologies.

You can also choose up to a sixth of your modules at each Stage from other subjects, such as a modern foreign language, history or law.

Quality and ranking

Politics at Newcastle achieved an impressive 93 per cent overall student satisfactionscore in the National Student Survey 2013.

Politics at Newcastle also ranks in the top 200 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2014.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12075 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts for an academic year and you need to complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage.

Please be aware that programme modules do change and therefore may differ for your year of entry.

Stage 1

Compulsory modules

• POL1022 Introduction to Political Thought
• POL1032 Introduction to International Politics
• POL1045 Truth, Lies and Politics

Optional modules

You choose one of the following modules:

• POL1017 Governing Under Pressure: The Politics of the UK & EU
• POL1047 Power, Participation and Democracy: Comparative Perspectives

You take 40 credits of optional modules from the following list or the above list:

• GEO1010 Interconnected World
• HIS1046 The History of the Americas
• POL1046 Order and Disorder: The Shaping of the 21st Century
• SOC1027 Comparing Cultures

Other optional modules may also be available.

Stage 2

Compulsory modules

You must take at least 80 credits from the following POL modules.

• POL2078 Critical International Politics
• POL2079 Political Thought: Hobbes to Marx
• POL2081 Research Methods in Politics

Optional modules

You choose at least one module from the following list:

• POL2012 Politics of the Middle East
• POL2022 Government and Politics of the USA
• POL2034 The Politics and Policy of the European Union
• POL2087 Contemporary Russian Politics
• POL2088 The Politics of Africa: Africa's Place in Global Politics

You choose your remaining modules to a total of 120 credits from the following list:

• GEO2047 Political Geography
• GEO2103 Globalisation, Culture and Development
• NCL2007 Career Development for Second Year Students
• NCL2100 Exploring Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Employability
• POL2080 Political Thought: Conservatism, Nationalism and Fascism
• POL2082 Political Violence and the Modern State
• SOC2041 Issues in Urban Sociology
• SOC2043 Anthropology of India

You also have the opportunity to take part in a study exchange abroad:

• POL2072 Student Exchange: Semester 2

Other optional modules may also be available.

Stage 3

Optional modules:

You must take at least 80 credits from POL modules.

You take at least 20 credits but not more than 60 credits of modules from the following:

• POL3046 Dissertation in Politics
• POL3047 Project in Politics: Semester 1
• POL3048 Project in Politics: Semester 2

You choose at least three modules from the following list:

• GEO3102 Geopolitical Thought and Practice
• GEO3106 Producing Africa: Globalisation and Representation
• NCL3007 Career Development for Final Year Students
• NCL3008 Advanced Career Development
• POL3059 Democracy and the Constitution
• POL3063 European Union: Decision Making Simulation
• POL3077 Global Poverty and Global Politics
• POL3078 Britain and the European Union
• POL3079 The Government and Politics of Italy
• POL3081 International Political Thought
• POL3082 Feminist Political Theory
• POL3090 The Rise and Fall of New Labour
• POL3092 Political Parties and Elections in the UK
• POL3095 The United Nations in a Global World
• POL3098 War, Genocide, Terror: Understanding Organised Violence
• POL3099 Power, Security and Protest in the Middle East
• POL3100 History of World Political Thought
• POL3101 Postcolonial Politics
• SOC3069 'Race', Racism and Society
• POL3071 Student Exchange: Semester 1
• POL3076 Student Exchange (Dissertation Students)
• POL3084 Student Exchange Semester 2 (dissertation/research project)
• POL3085 Student Exchange: Semester 2

Other optional modules may also be available.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test : 90

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis. If your qualifications are not listed here, please see our additional entry requirements web pages to find out which other qualifications are considered.

- A Levels

AAA-ABB including General Studies. Combinations assessed on a case-by-case basis.
At least one A level from a social science or humanities subject such as History, Government and Politics, Geography, English or Philosophy is preferred but not required.

- Scottish Qualifications

AAAAA-AABBB at Higher Grade. Combinations of Highers and Advanced Highers accepted.

- International Baccalaureate

A minimum of 34-37 points.

- Irish Leaving Certificate

A1A1A1AB-A1A1B1B1B at Higher Level.

- Access Qualifications

Units in at least one of: British Politics, Geography, Historical Studies, Sociology and Philosophy. At least 30 level 3 credits at Distinction, including one of the subjects listed above, and in addition at least 15 level 3 credits at a minimum of Merit.

- BTEC Level 5 HND

Applicants will be considered on an individual basis.

- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma)

Applicants will be considered on an individual basis.

- Cambridge Pre-U

D3, D3, D3 - D3, M2, M2 in Principal Subjects. At least one from a social science or humanities subject such as History, Government and Politics, Geography, English or Philosophy is preferred but not required. Combinations assessed on a case-by-case basis.

- English Language Requirements

For this degree you will need a minimum score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Visit our International Students webpages to find out more about our English language admission requirements and English language support courses offered by INTO Newcastle University.

- International Foundation Programmes

If you are an international student and you do not meet the academic and English language requirements specified above, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Newcastle University, which will help to prepare you for study on this degree course. INTO Newcastle University is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses including the International Foundation in Humanities and Social Sciences.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Newcastle University.