Politics

Politics is the study of power: how it is organised, exercised, contested and legitimised across different kinds of society and at different levels, from local councils to international organisations. It examines the institutions through which collective decisions are made, the ideologies that shape political argument, the social movements that challenge existing arrangements, and the processes of democracy, authoritarian rule and everything in between. At a time when political systems around the world face significant pressure, the capacity to analyse politics rigorously has never been more important.

At the University of Edinburgh, this four-year full-time programme benefits from Scotland's distinctive political context, Edinburgh's position as a capital city with active legislative and government institutions, and the university's strong tradition in political research. The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study at a partner institution in another country and develop an international perspective on political systems and processes. You will study political theory, comparative politics, international relations, research methods and the politics of specific regions and issues, building both theoretical frameworks and the capacity to apply them to real political phenomena.

Politics graduates enter careers across government, the civil service, political organisations, campaigning, journalism, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks, public affairs, business and law. The analytical skills and contextual knowledge that the discipline develops are valued wherever organisations need people who can understand complex political environments and communicate clearly about them. Edinburgh's location in a politically active city, combined with the international experience of the year abroad, gives graduates a particular awareness of political process at multiple scales.

Postgraduate study in political science, public policy, international relations or law is a natural route for those who wish to develop their expertise further or pursue academic careers.