Politics

Politics is the study of power: how it is acquired, exercised, contested, and distributed in societies at every level from local communities to global institutions. It is a discipline with immediate practical relevance, addressing questions about who makes decisions, how governments are held to account, why conflict arises between nations, and how international cooperation is organised and sustained. Political science draws on history, philosophy, economics, sociology, and law to make sense of the institutions and dynamics that shape collective life.

At York St John University, this three-year full-time degree engages directly with the pressing questions of contemporary politics, covering issues from climate change to international state security and asking you to think carefully about the power structures that shape how societies respond to challenges of this kind. A foundation year is available for students who would benefit from additional academic preparation before the main programme, and a sandwich year placement gives you the opportunity to gain professional experience in a political, public, or voluntary sector organisation. A year abroad allows you to study political systems and institutions in a different national context, while work placement activity throughout the programme connects academic learning to practical understanding.

A typical entry tariff of 104 points applies.

You will develop skills in critical analysis, research, argumentation, and written and verbal communication. Political science teaches you to evaluate evidence, engage with competing perspectives, and construct well-reasoned positions on complex questions. These are capabilities valued across a wide range of professional contexts.

Graduates go on to work in politics and government, the civil service, international organisations, journalism, think tanks, the voluntary sector, law, public relations, and business. Many continue to postgraduate study in politics, international relations, public policy, or law, particularly those aiming for research or specialist advisory roles.