Politics (with a year in Industry) BA (Hons)

Politics is all around us, and it’s moving fast. With our internationally renowned experts you’ll get to the very heart of political thinking.

Explore the principles of power – how it’s won and how it’s used to drive the decisions that influence our daily lives. You’ll discover how issues such as poverty, debt, terrorism, conflict and environmental change affect us all, and investigate emerging powers like China and India.

You will complete a professional placement in the third year of your course, allowing you to gain valuable personal and employability skills.

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Teaching format

You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and one-to-ones. We offer a personal approach to learning with much of our teaching conducted in small groups (typically fewer than 15 students in a seminar group). Our staff are very approachable, and our doors are always open. Your personal supervisor provides support and guidance throughout your studies, offering weekly feedback and guidance hours.

Assessment and feedback

‌Assessment varies from module to module and includes a combination of exams, written essays and project work.

Your tutors will give you feedback in a variety of forms depending on the specific needs of the module. This may consist of written feedback, in-class discussion, model answers, one-to-one discussions or online responses.

Careers and skills

A York Politics degree is recognised by employers worldwide. You'll improve your employability with opportunities to gain work experience, undertake internships or study abroad.

Many of our students organise work placements out of term time in an area that interests them. We encourage you to do this so you can gain workplace experience and get a deeper insight into issues that interest you. Previous students have spent the summer months interning at Ernst and Young, the Houses of Parliament and even the Mayor's Office in New York.