Political Science: University of Birmingham

A knowledge of politics helps you to understand and explain what governments do. It also teaches you a great deal about human nature. Politics is not only what political scientists study, but also an activity in which professional politicians, civil servants and ordinary citizens take part.

This programme helps you acquire important analytical skills. You learn to find your way among different arguments, rival theories and alternative explanations. You also learn about campaigns, elections, protest movements, policy issues and political ideals.

About the department

The Department of Political Science and International Studies, which teaches this programme, is one of the largest and best departments of its type in the UK. It received a score of 5 in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise (maximum 5*/6) and the maximum score of 24 in the 2001 Teaching Quality Assessment. The department has also enjoyed a consistently high place in the Guardian league tables (never outside the top 10) since these were first published in 2000.

The department has a balance of expertise that covers all areas of the discipline and has long-established strengths in the fields of political theory, European politics, international relations theory, security studies, diplomatic studies, political sociology, political economy, Pacific Asian politics and British politics. It contributes to a wide range of undergraduate teaching programmes ranging from Political Science Single Honours to International Studies with a Language, as well as a range of Joint Honours degree schemes.

First year

You are provided with the basic knowledge and skills to study politics. You also have the opportunity to take other introductory social science courses.

Second year

You now have the opportunity to develop specialised knowledge in areas that you find of greatest interest, such as political theory and analysis, European integration, British politics, American politics, comparative European politics, and political economy.

Third year

In addition to choosing modules from a wide range of options, students undertake an independent research project on a topic of their own choosing.

Career opportunities

Employers are well aware of the value of our politics degrees. Our students have little difficulty in finding interesting jobs in a variety of fields; some in local government and the Civil Service, others in commerce, finance and the law. There are also opportunities in specialist journalism and the media.

Joint Honours

Politics can also be studied as part of a Joint Honours programme (see Political Science Joint Honours BA ).

Entry requirements

• Number of A levels required: 3
• Typical offer: ABB
• General Studies: accepted
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 34 points

Other qualifications are considered – see the entry requirements section for full details

Contact details

• Admissions Tutor: Dr Nicola Smith
• Telephone enquiries: +44 (0)121 414 7569
• Email: n.j.smith.1@bham.ac.uk

For general information about open days

• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3374
• Website: http://www.undergraduate.bham.ac.uk/visitsopendays/

Main University Switchboard

• Postal address: The University of Birmingham
  Edgbaston
  Birmingham
  B15 2TT
  United Kingdom
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3344
• Fax: +44(0)121 414 3971

Admissions

• Email: admissions@bham.ac.uk
• Tel: +44 (0)121 415 8900
• Website: www.marketing.bham.ac.uk/admissions_recruitment

Student Recruitment

• Email: schools-liaison@bham.ac.uk
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3374
• Website: www.marketing.bham.ac.uk/recruitment

International Relations

• Email: international@bham.ac.uk
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 2894
• Website: www.international.bham.ac.uk