Government & Politics
Every aspect of political decision‑making, from how governments are formed to how laws shape society, affects our everyday lives.
By studying Politics, you’ll gain the knowledge to understand how the UK and US political systems work, how power is exercised, and how citizens influence change. This course equips you with the analytical, written and debating skills needed to thrive in a wide range of careers.
What you will study
UK Politics: Paper 1
- Democracy and participation
- Political parties
- Electoral systems
- Voting behaviour and the media
- Core Ideologies
- Liberalism
- Conservatism
- Socialism
UK Government: Paper 2
- The Constitution
- Parliament
- The Executive
- Relationships between branches of government
- The EU
- Non-core Ideology
- Nationalism
USA Politics: Paper 3
- US Constitution and federalism
- Congress
- The Presidency
- The Supreme Court and civil rights
- US Democracy and participation
- Comparative politics: key similarities and differences between the UK and US systems
Next steps - where might it lead?
Studying Politics can lead to degrees such as:
- Politics/International Relations
- Law
- Journalism
- Sociology
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
- Social Policy and Criminology
What experience and skills will you gain?
You'll develop a powerful mix of academic, analytical and communication skills:
- A strong understanding of how political institutions operate in the UK and USA
- The ability to construct clear, persuasive arguments in debates and essays
- Improved public speaking and confidence
- Critical thinking skills that will help you analyse political events, media coverage and data
Future careers - where might this take you?
Graduates can pursue careers such as:
- Law (£28,000-£80,000)
- Journalism (£20,000-£50,000)
- Public Relations & Communications (£27,000-£70,000)
- Civil Service & Government (£23,000-£81,000)
- Diplomacy (£41,000-£59,000)
- Charity, NGO and Non-Profit (£25,000-£80,000)
- Management Consulting (£35,000-£170,000)