Politics

Description

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the Politics degree programme we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
• E-Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.
• Seminars/tutorials: Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. Students should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
• Self-directed study: This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Supervised projects: In final year, students may choose a year-long double-weighted dissertation module in Politics which requires them to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic that they have chosen.Alternatively, students can apply for an internship (a double-weighted module) where they will produce a learning journal and a 12,000 word project that relates directly to their placement.They will receive support from a supervisor in both cases who will guide them in terms of how to carry out your research and who will provide feedback throughout.
• Personal Tutor: Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor at the start of Level 1 for the duration of their degree programme. The Personal Tutor meets with their tutees on several occasions during the year to discuss and support a student’s academic progression and development.

Careers

A degree in Politics is not a passport to a particular career, but provides a stimulating programme of study and intellectual training useful in many walks of life. Transferable skills such as team-working, analytical understanding, debating and presentation skills, and increasingly information technology and communication skills are embedded in the curriculum. Graduates are thus equipped with the necessary attributes for graduate employment or postgraduate education and training, and are able to ‘make a difference’ in whatever future career they choose. Graduates in politics enter careers in, for example, marketing, journalism, broadcasting, education, the civil service, equal opportunities, banking, business, public relations, local government, even politics itself.
For those wishing to pursue further study after their first degree, the School provides a range of MA programmes, each of which can be taken either full-time in one year or part-time over two years. The MA programmes, each of which consists of four taught courses and a dissertation, are: Politics; Irish Politics; Comparative Ethnic Conflict;; Violence, Terrorism and Security; European Union Politics; Gender and Society; Legilsative Studies and Practice. There are also opportunities to do an MRes in Politics, and an MPhil or PhD by thesis.
Degree Plus and other related initiatives: Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s. Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports.

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students). Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts. As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plus in particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies. These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 4160 Year (EEA)
• EUR 13380 Year (Non-EEA)

England, Scotland and Wales £9,000; EU £3,575; International: £11,500

• English

Course Content

Students who intend to study Politics at Levels 2 and 3 must choose between two and six of the introductory modules available in the first year.

Level 1 modules

• Britain and Ireland in Comparative Perspective
• Contemporary Europe
• Foundations of the Modern State
• Perspectives on Politics
• Politics in a Media Culture
• World Politics

Thereafter, Politics may be studied at Levels 2 and 3 as a Single Honours subject (12 modules) on its own, or as a Major (eight modules), Joint (six modules), or Minor (four modules) component along with another subject. The Politics element of LLB Law with Politics comprises four modules, two at each of Levels 2 and 3. At each Level there is a mix of compulsory and optional modules, depending on the mode of study.
Students select the appropriate number of modules from the following indicative list:

Level 2 modules

• American Politics
• International Relations
• Irish Politics
• Modern Political Thought
• Politics and Policy of the European Union
• Skills and Methods in the Study of Politics
• The Politics of Deeply Divided Societies

Level 3 modules

• Contemporary Theories of Justice
• Ethnicity, Multiculturalism and the Nation State
• EU Enlargement and Wider Europe
• Irish Political Thought
• Islamic Politics
• Negotiations and Conflict Resolution
• Political Identity in Ireland: 1900-2000
• Politics and Power of the Global Economy
• Politics of Southern Africa
• Scotland and Northern Ireland
• The Ethics and Politics of Foreign Policy
• The Politics of Irish Literature
• The Politics of Sustainable Development
• The Religious and Secular in Modern Political Thought
• Theory and Practice of International Security
• War and Visual Culture
• Women and Politics
• Internship
• Project
• Dissertation

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

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

Requirements

• A-level: ABB for Single Honours and Joint Honours with English, History and International Studies.
  BBB or BBC + B (AS-level) for other options.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: B2B2B2B2B2B2/AB2B2B2B2 for Single Honours and Joint Honours with English, History and International Studies.
  B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 for for other options.

BA Joint and LLB Requirements

For BA Joint Honours the requirements are stated separately under each programme. For entrance requirements for Law with Politics please refer to Law entry.

For students whose first language is not English

An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

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 Queen's University Belfast.