BA Politics
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Politics BA, a politics and international relations degree centred on political systems, governance and global affairs. Core topics include Research Methods and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course is studied over three years. The first year covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Understanding Politics, Understanding International Relations, Introduction to Political Theory and Global History. The second year introduces deeper analytical methods and specialised subjects with modules including Comparative Politics, Research Design, International Political Economy and Global Governance. The final year allows students to explore advanced thematic areas through options such as Global Security, Parliamentary Studies and Conflict and Peace in Deeply Divided Societies, culminating in an independent Dissertation project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAB. IB: 6,6,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall. BTEC: BTEC options considered
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 75%
- Learning opportunities: 76%
- Assessment and feedback: 71%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 59%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 90%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 25%
- Natural and social science professionals: 15%
- Finance Professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Customer service occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 295 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 7%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 20%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 33%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Debates in World Politics I
- Debates in World Politics II
- Pathways to Political Research I
- Pathways to Political Research II
- Global History
- Introduction to Political Theory
- Understanding International Relations
- Understanding Politics
- Comparative Politics
- History of Political Ideas: power, revolution and the state
- Research Design
- AI Essentials and Geopolitics
- Challenges to Liberal Democracy in Europe
- Digital Democracy
- Global Governance
- Feminist Political Ideas
- Globalisation, Capitalism and Welfare
- International Political Economy
- International Relations of Theory
- International Politics of East Asia
- International Relations of the Middle East
- International Security
- Parties and Voters across the Globe
- Political Ethics
- Politics of Sex and Sexuality
- Politics of Sustainable Development
- Post-Colonial Britain: Race, Identity & Belonging
- Russian Politics: From Revolution to Putin
- Sexuality and Identity Politics
- The International Law and Politics of Armed Conflict
- The Politics of the European Union
- UK Politics in a Time of Crisis
- US Politics
- Dissertation
- American Foreign and Security Policy
- China: State and Society
- Conflict and Peace in Deeply Divided Societies
- Contemporary International Political Economy
- Corruption and Clientelism: Global Perspective
- Environment and climate politics: from global to local
- Global Capitalism and Migration
- Global Security
- Identity in Middle East International Politics
- International Cooperation among Developing states
- International Negotiation
- Media, Politics and Public Opinion
- Nuclear Crises
- Parliamentary Studies
- Political Theory and Social Criticism
- Politics of South Asia
- Racism, Empire, and Political Thought
- Rising Powers & Global Order
- Social Justice and Politics
- Statelessness and Citizenship
- Strategy, Leadership and Foreign Policy
- The Diplomacy of the Arab-Israeli Conflict
- The Politics of Gender, Sex and Sexuality
- The Politics of Memory
- The Politics of Protest and Dissent
- Topics in British Politics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Politics at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £31,000 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £36,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £47,500. The £36,000 median after five years is £2,000 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Politics at University of Birmingham do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Politics at University of Birmingham?
75% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Politics at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 127 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Politics at University of Birmingham?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.