Politics, BSc (Hons), with industry placement

Course summary

Be a part of the next generation leading political change and tackling some of the major issues we face. Hone your skills in practical, real-world scenarios and learn how to campaign for a local constituency or represent the UK at the Earth Summit in one of our unique simulations. We place politics in a broad setting, looking beyond Westminster and Washington to both the global and hyperlocal.

• Learn from experts. Be inspired by teaching rooted in research. Work closely with experienced and engaging staff who are leading experts in their fields; areas of expertise include popular protest in the Middle East, NATO and security studies, the politics of China, global environmental politics and the politics of the European Union.

• Design your degree. Integrate innovative modules from across the School of Society and Culture, focusing your degree on areas that interest you and making your degree your own.

• Boost your experience. Opportunities to study abroad, gain practical experience or work in your chosen field. Build practical skills to take into your future through varied and innovative assessments.

• Connect with the political environment. Field trips and guest speakers will help you connect more directly with the world of politics, including a first-year trip to London where an MP gives a behind the scenes tour of the House of Commons.

• Stay informed. Understand and analyse an ever-changing political landscape, both in the UK and the world.

In year one, you will meet and work with all members of staff in the politics and international relations group. You will develop the skills to thrive at Plymouth as an undergraduate, and be provided with opportunities to make friends with your peers on the course. You will find out what some key political thinkers have argued about democracy and its rivals. You will study the politics behind some of the most urgent environmental problems faced by humanity. You will compare different democratic systems across the world, and understand how various domestic and international political actors behave and how international systems have evolved. In your second year, you will look at the politics of the global south, study British politics as it evolves, explore different types of non-democratic regimes and find out how the EU works and how it intends to deal with the UK as its new neighbour. You can study how civil society groups shape politics, how political debate and opinion is changing via traditional and social media, and how globalisation influences our understanding of sovereignty. Alternatively, you can choose up to two modules from across our school or study abroad with one of our partner institutions overseas. You will do research on a political issue of your choice, with close support from our expert staff. You can choose from modules delivered by staff with research expertise in subjects such as the politics of the Middle East, Africa, the USA and Europe, environmental governance, the media, post-truth politics, or learn how to develop, plan and coordinate political campaigns and elections. There is also an opportunity to develop your skills with our work-based learning module. Make your degree your own, studying modules offered by other disciplines across our school.