BA Politics
About this course
BA (Hons) in Politics is an undergraduate degree focused on political change, public policy, and the operation of domestic and international institutions. Core topics include Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Historical Research, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course is available as a standard three-year full-time option. The first year introduces foundational themes through compulsory modules such as Academic Foundations in International Relations, Politics and History, Power, Politics & Ideology in Modern Europe, The Making and Unmaking of the World Order, and Politics and Government, alongside options exploring international relations or history. The second year advances investigative skills with compulsory modules including Research Methods in Politics and International Relations and Research Design, while offering various optional subjects such as History of Political Thought, Political Economy: Capitalism, Democracy and the State, and Political Simulation. In the final year, students complete a compulsory Dissertation, complemented by specialized optional modules covering topics such as Contemporary Political Philosophy, The Politics of Terrorism, and International Conflict Management.
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: ABB IB: 34 (6,5,5 HL) BTEC: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDM BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: DD plus one A level at Grade B BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus two A levels at Grades BB Preferred BTEC: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma Applied Science, Business, Health and Social Care, IT, Sport. Other BTEC subjects may be considered when offered in combination with one A level from the following list: Biology, Business, Classical Civilisation, Chemistry, Economics, English Language/Literature, Geography, History, Languages, Law, Maths/Further Maths, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, and Sociology.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 94%: 126 offers from 134 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 75%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 35%
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 185 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 6%
- West Midlands: 8%
- East of England: 17%
- London: 37%
- South East: 19%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- The Global Cold War
- Academic Foundations in International Relations, Politics and History
- Power, Politics & Ideology in Modern Europe (20 credit)
- The Making and Unmaking of the World Order (10 credit)
- Politics and Government (20 credits)
- The Contemporary World Arena (10 credits)
- The Contemporary World Arena (20 credits)
- International Political Theory
- International Political Theory (20 credits)
- Introduction to Film
- Slavery to Black Lives Matter: African American Culture 1840 - present
- What is History?
- Families, Relationships and Communities
- University-wide Language Programme
- Research Methods in Politics and International Relations
- Research Design
- Globalization
- Social Difference
- History of Political Thought (10 credit)
- History of Political Thought (20 Credit)
- Politics of Development
- Your Future Career: Preparing for the World of Work
- Critical Security Studies
- Modern China in a Global Perspective
- Small Wars (10 credit)
- Small Wars
- The American Century: US Politics and Society in the 20th Century (10 credits)
- Political Simulation
- The Politics of Star Wars
- Political Economy: Capitalism, Democracy and the State
- Gender and Global Politics
- Modern Germany: Recovery from Ruin, 1945-present (20 credit)
- African States and Nations: Before and After Colonialism, 1850-1990
- Philosophy and Public Policy
- Digital Lives and Society
- University-wide Language Programme
- Dissertation
- The Asia-Pacific in Global Politics
- Contemporary Political Philosophy
- Feminist Philosophy
- Politics at the End of the World
- The Politics of Terrorism
- Geographies of Home and Work
- International Politics of the Middle East
- Jim Crow, Bootleggers and Okies: American Culture 1865-1940
- The Soviet Security State, 1917-present
- Gender, Intersectionality and Society
- No Gods! No Masters! Anarchism Past and Present
- War in the 21st Century
- International Conflict Management
- Environmental Thought
- Mobilities, transnationalism and diaspora
- After Empire: South Asia since 1945
- The Politics of Monsters
- 'Race', Racism and Social Justice in the Modern World
- Poverty, Pay and Living Standards
- University-wide Language Programme
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Politics at Loughborough University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £30,500 after 3 years, £38,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,500 and £55,000. The £38,000 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Politics at Loughborough University do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Politics at Loughborough University?
90% 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 Loughborough University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 137 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Politics at Loughborough University?
94% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 126 offers from 134 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
How many students continue on BA Politics at Loughborough University?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.