BA in Politics
Queen's University Belfast - Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 18,800 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* England, Scotland or Wales: £4,710 | Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: £9,250 | EU Other and International: £18,800
Introduction
The academic study of politics is concerned with the sources of conflict, cooperation, power and decision-making within and between societies, how differences are expressed through ideology and organisation, and how, if at all, disagreements and problems are resolved.
You will develop an in-depth understanding of politics, political theory, how states are governed, and the place of citizens in politics.
Politics is a very dynamic subject area, and Queen’s Politics and International Relations staff study such topical issues as environmental politics, Brexit, democratic reforms (such as Citizens’ Assemblies and other democratic innovations), migration, citizenship, conflict, and security.
Politics Degree Highlights
Various serving politicians have studied in the School, including Ian Paisley Jr (MP), the Green Party Leader, Stephen Agnew, and ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive.
Global Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to spend part of the course studying in other European universities, through our Erasmus programme, and also in the USA and Canada.
Professional Accreditations
The study of politics is not directed towards any one professional pathway but rather provides the generic skills for success in a number of professional fields, including the civil service, media, the charity sector, education, etc.
Industry Links
The School offers a range of employment placements where students can gain real-world work experience, which is invaluable in terms of employment after graduation. Given that Belfast is a regional capital with devolved powers, we can offer students placements in the high-profile political and related institutions on our doorstep – for example, the Department of Justice, Equality Commission, and Police Ombudsman’s Office, or BBC Northern Ireland.
Admissions
Curriculum
The degree programme does not presuppose any prior training in Politics and can profitably be taken by those who have studied the subject at school – as well as those who have not.
Stage 1
You will choose six modules from a range of introductory modules, including the following:
- • Comparative Politics
- • Contemporary Europe
- • Issues in Contemporary Politics
- • Perspectives on Politics
- • World Politics.
- • What is to be done? Sustainability, climate change and just energy transitions in the Anthropocene.
You may take up to two modules from across the Faculty.
Stage 2
You will take two modules that will provide you with a solid grounding in political theory (Modern Political Thought) and research methods (Studying Politics), along with four optional modules, including:
- • American Politics
- • British Politics in crisis?
- • Irish Politics
- • International Organisations
- • Politics and Policies of the European Union
- • Security and Terrorism
- • International Relations
- • The Politics of Deeply Divided Societies
- • Apocalypse! The End of the World
- • The Northern Ireland Conflict and paths to Peace
- • Identity Politics in Diverse Societies
- • Theory Counts
Note: Modules at Stages 2 and 3 are subject to change based on availability.
Stage 3
You can choose to:
- (1) take six taught modules,
- (2) take five taught modules and do a placement,
- (3) take four taught modules and do an internship, or
- (4) take four taught modules and write a dissertation.
Here are some of the modules available at level 3:
- Arms Control
- Asylum and Migration in Global Politics
- Contemporary Political Philosophy
- Global Political Economy of Energy
- Politics of the Global Economy
- European Cultural Identities
- National and Ethnic Minorities in European Politics
- Northern Ireland: A Case Study
- Political Parties and Elections in Northern Ireland
- Challenges to Contemporary Party Politics
- Politics, Public Administration and Policymaking
- Security and Technology
- The Far Right in Western Europe and North America
- The Politics of Irish Literature
- Earth, Energy, Ethics and Economy
- Radical Hope: Inspiring Present-day Sustainability Transformations
- Social Identity
- Modelling the Social World
- Internship
- The Placement
- Dissertation
Dissertation: in their final year, students can write a dissertation based on a research topic of their choice and under one-to-one supervision by an academic with specialist knowledge in the chosen field.
Note: Modules at Stages 2 and 3 are subject to change based on availability.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates from this degree at Queen‘s are well regarded by local, national and international employers, and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including International Politics and Conflict Studies. Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in the public and voluntary/community sectors, significant numbers develop careers in the private sector, working in industries from management consultancy to law and journalism.
Employment after the Course
A degree in Politics provides a stimulating programme of study and intellectual training useful in many walks of life and future career paths. Graduates are 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 areas such as marketing, journalism, broadcasting, education, Civil Service, equal opportunities, banking, business, public relations, local government, and even politics itself.
Employment Links
We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers, including NI government departments and the North/South Ministerial Council, who provide sponsorship for our internships.
In addition, the School offers a range of employment placements where students can gain real-world work experience, which is invaluable in terms of employment after graduation. Given that Belfast is a regional capital with devolved powers, we can offer students placements in the high-profile political and related institutions on our doorstep - for example, the Department of Justice, Equality Commission, and Police Ombudsman’s Office, or BBC Northern Ireland.
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's, you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.