BA Politics

Studying politics trains you in skills that are important to any number of future careers; you learn how to argue persuasively, to analyse carefully and to make well-informed decisions. Politics is taught by a lively and committed group of teachers, who all link their teaching to their research. New interests and concerns, therefore, become part of your studies. We also review and update our teaching constantly, introducing new techniques and topics. Our aim is to provide a degree that both gives you the foundations of the subject, while allowing you to explore key developments as they happen.

Your degree is based on your choice from a wide range of options. These are grouped under different headings, so that you can, if you want, concentrate on political ideas and theories, or you may prefer to look at national and international political processes and institutions.

We offer options on the politics of America, Russian, and other European countries; on international relations and the EU; on democracy, political ideology, utopias, and the history of political thought; on mass media, political culture and identity, and popular culture.

In your final year, we offer a limited number of parliamentary internships (a chance to work with an MP) or the opportunity to do your own research.

Politics at UEA is closely linked to the teaching of sociology, economics and philosophy; and we offer a wide choice of joint degrees. Of particular note are these degree programmes: Politics and History; Politics and Sociology of Contemporary Culture; Culture, Philosophy and Politics; Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), Culture, Literature and Politics; and Politics with Media.

Our students go on to a variety of careers, helped in their choice by UEA’s excellent Careers Office, becoming lobbyists, journalists, lawyers, managers, accountants and teachers.

PSI Graduate comments

Liam Parker - BA Politics (2007)

I am currently working in the Special Adviser's office at HM Treasury. This involves assisting them in advising the Chancellor of the Exchequer on policy matters and ensuring their lives are organised and efficient. I have recently been promoted to the role of press officer, where I will be undertaking press roles for the Chancellor, dealing with the media and strategically considering the government's media agenda. Additionally, I attend a large number of ministerial evernts, including Downing Street receptions, interviews and press conferences, which involves dealing with journalists and large non government organisations.

I gained a strong understanding of the media and its involvement with politics whilst studying politics at UEA. The course offered me a fantastic range of subjects to study and my interest in political media management was strongly developed by courses such as politics and mass media and political communication. Studying politics at UEA really gave me a strong springboard to move into the civil service and interviewers have always noted the strong relevance of my studies to my chosen profession. I thoroughly enjoyed studying politics at UEA and strongly recommend the course.

Course Organiser:Prof Alan Finlayson

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Entry Requirements A Level: ABB International Baccalaureate: 32 Scottish Advanced Highers: ABB Irish Leaving Certificate: AABBBB Access Course: Please contact the university for further information. HND: Please contact the university for further information. European Baccalaureate: 75% Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in Reading and Writing with no less than 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 overall (minimum 20 in Reading and Speaking components, 19 in Writing component and 17 in Listening components.
• PTE: 62 overall (minimum 55 in Reading and Writing components with no less than 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year.

Deferred Entry

We welcome applications for deferred entry, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above, then please contact university directly for further information.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language at Grade C or above.

Assessment

For the majority of candidates the most important factors in assessing the application will be past and future achievement in examinations, academic interest in the subject being applied for, personal interest and extra-curricular activities and the confidential reference.

We consider applicants as individuals and accept students from a very wide range of educational backgrounds and spend time considering your application in order to reach an informed decision relating to your application. Typical offers are indicated above. Please note, there may be additional subject entry requirements specific to individual degree courses.

The Student Experience Survey ranks UEA third in the country - two places higher than last year's result and overtaking both Oxford and Cambridge... Read More >

The School of Political Social and International Studies (PSI) specialises in teaching and research in politics, international relations, media and culture.

We offer a wide range of courses that allow you to explore the politics of different countries and regions – for example, Russia, South-east Asia, the United States, Europe and Australia and, of course, the United Kingdom. You can learn about the key power-holders, about how parties compete to influence the public and how policies are made. Some of our students experience life in the lobby at first hand through the parliamentary internship scheme.

In the international arena there are modules dealing with security, terrorism, American foreign policy, fundamentalism, environmental issues and international players such as the United Nations. A module on the history of world politics since 1945 helps you understand how we arrived at 21st-century global patterns of power.

We offer a distinctive range of degrees specialising in media, culture and politics where topics covered may include mass media, political blogs, popular culture, new media, political marketing and 'practical media’, which enables students to make their own news documentary.

All our degrees give you opportunities to take modules from other UEA Schools which are selected to fit in with our degree programmes. Each degree includes the option of a 'free choice’ module taken from another School.

UniStats Information Fees and Funding University Fees and Financial Support: UK/EU Students

Further information on fees and funding for 2012 can be found here

University Fees and Financial Support: International Students

The University will be charging International students £11,700.00 for all full time School of Political, Social and International Studies undergraduate programmes which start in 2012.

Please click to access further information about fees and funding for International students