BA Politics
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BA in Politics and International Relations. Core topics include Research Methods and Policy Analysis. Students may undertake a Politics in Action placement in the third year, working one day per week in settings such as Parliament, local government, NGOs, media organisations, and political parties. The course culminates in an independent dissertation researched and written under one-to-one supervision.
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-BBB (Required subjects: We require English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade 4 (C)) IB: 6,5,5 at Higher level or 32 points overall.
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 80%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 95 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 40%
- South East: 38%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Politics and Government
- Introduction to International Relations
- Classic and Contemporary Readings in Politics and International Relations
- Researching Politics and International Relations: Methods, Techniques and Analysis
- Researching Politics and International Relations: Analysis, Design and Practice
- Contemporary Political Theory
- Democracy in Britain
- Modern Political Thought
- Introduction to Political Communication
- International Political Economy
- War and Security in World Politics
- Government and Politics of the United States
- Politics Outside the West
- Politics and/or International Relations Dissertation
- European Union Public Policy
- Politics in Action: The Politics and International Relations Experience Placement
- Radical Political Theory I: Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche
- The Politics of Russia and Eastern Europe
- US Foreign Policy - History
- The Politics of Africa
- Political Theories of Freedom
- Politics of the Law and Rights
- Comparative Political Leadership
- Military Change in the 21st Century
- Young People's Politics
- Leadership, Power and the British Prime Ministership
- American Political Development
- Global Health Policy
- Politics of South Asia
- Social Diversity and Political Representation
- Parliamentary Studies
- Freedom of Expression: Concepts and Controversies
- Latin American Politics
- Defence and Security Governance
- The Political Economy of Racial Injustice
- Narrative in World Politics
- Radical Political Theory II: Critical Theory and Poststructuralism
- Why and How People Vote
- Identity, Emotions and Trauma in International Politics
- Ethnic Politics and Ethnic Conflict
- Global Environmental Politics
- Issues in Democratic Theory
- Gender and Nationalism in the Middle East and South Asia
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £35,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £45,500. The £35,500 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London?
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 Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 117 UCAS points.
Does BA Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.