Politics BA (Hons)
Course Code
UCAS Code: L200
International Code: AHU045
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Start date
September 2022
January 2023
Course overview
Study level: Undergraduate
Interested in how countries are governed and decisions made? A degree in Politics can help you to refine your power of judgment and your critical thinking.
- Politics is a broad discipline, concerned with governance, power, authority, citizenship and conflict resolution. Throughout your degree, the course covers political concepts around these issues and more, comparing your own government, its policies and decisions, with those of others around the world.
- Politics should appeal to you if you have an interest in power, government, policy making, social movements or debating ideas. It also concerns wars and conflict resolution, the impact of globalisation and world events. The course includes a range of modules on British, American, European, African and Middle Eastern politics.
- There are opportunities and modules throughout the course dedicated to developing your professional career*. Being able to practically apply what you have learnt is a vital aspect of the course, so there are opportunities to develop your skills needed for employment.

Global Ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
The Politics course at Coventry University is a vibrant, modern course that addresses many current political questions to help you understand the complex world we live in.
The course offers the following benefits:
- Academic staff who are actively engaged in high-quality research that informs their teaching.
- Events and conferences featuring national and international politicians and dignitaries (subject to availability and additional costs).
- An exciting and modern course that examines the key political issues of the modern world.
- Multidisciplinary teaching with experts from national and international politics, history, global security and social theory.
- An intellectually challenging course that encourages you to sharpen your analytical skills and engage with issues of vital concern for today’s world.
- You will have an opportunity to focus on specific themes such as North American, European and African politics, social movements or global security as you progress through your course.
- You will have an opportunity to apply for an international experience with international staff, an international curriculum and the options of an overseas field trip, and / or study abroad or overseas placement (subject to availability, competitive application, meeting visa requirements and additional costs).
- The opportunity to develop advanced professional skills such as the ability to think independently and creatively, to advance sophisticated arguments and to communicate ideas confidently as enquired by potential employers.
Find out more about our range of history, politics and international relations courses.
More than just a degree
The course focuses deeply on ideology, how this is implemented and an emphasis on international politics. There is also an opportunity to study abroad - which is a key aspect of advancing your learning.

What you'll study
Our course covers the history of modern political thought, comparative government and mass politics in modern Britain. You can also choose to study specialist areas like gender politics, international relations, comparative or country-specific politics in the Middle East, Africa, USA or Europe.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
Politics students will address and debate a wide range of intellectually challenging and topical questions such as: What is good and bad government? How do different political systems work? What is power and how is it used? Does ideology matter? What is democracy and human rights? Is the US a declining world power? Why is peace failing in the Middle East?
Your course is based on a series of interactive lectures, with associated seminars and workshop classes.
In addition, your personal tutor reviews and discusses your progress with you and will be available for regular one-to-one advice.
In a typical teaching week, you have up to 12 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This includes:
- Personal tutorial/small-group teaching.
- Medium-group teaching: practical classes, workshops or seminars.
- Large-group teaching: mainly in the form of lectures.
Assessment
This course is assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods have previously included coursework, podcasts, posters presentations and examinations.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Job ready
On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: influential ideas, events, institutions, processes and policies in contemporary politics and government; the origins and character of the contemporary international system and the nature of world politics; differing approaches to, and key issues of debate in 21st century politics
- Analyse and address managerial problems, take decisions and identify appropriate solutions in a creative and constructive manner
- Locate a range of information sources, to gather and marshal relevant evidence successfully
- Conduct independent research using primary and secondary sources relevant to the topic under study.
- Construct fair, coherent and convincing arguments utilising the relevant key concepts and approaches in the relevant disciplines
- Work independently with confidence and reflect upon the process of learning
- Work within a group, to negotiate, to learn from others and to lead an activity
- Manage time effectively, set objectives and evaluate the performance of oneself and others.
International experience opportunities
You will have the opportunity to take part in an overseas study trip, or a full year abroad*.
The course has current links with a variety of institutions such as the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) in Berlin, Science Po in Bordeaux, the University of Heidelberg in Germany and the University of Lund in Sweden where you can enrich your student experience.
If you do not speak a foreign language, we can arrange a study year at an institution where courses are taught in English. In the past, students on the course have spent time at the anti-mafia organisations Addio Pizzo and Libera in Sicily.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
2022/23 Tuition fees
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International | £15,300 per year | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
Facilities
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities is joining two of our school’s completely refurbished Art and Design buildings and adding a range of new facilities, set to open later in 2022. These will include a hyper studio designed for cross-disciplinary projects; immersive studios with cutting-edge virtual reality and mixed-reality technologies. Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities in a unique environment.

Library
The library offers a team of dedicated academic liaison librarians who provide specialist help and support. You’ll also have access to subject specific databases of journal articles related to criminology and forensics.

Academic support
No matter which degree you’re studying, you’ll find a lot of support on campus, including the Centre of Academic Writing and sigma, which offers mathematics and statistics support.
Careers and opportunities
The course can enable you to choose from a variety of different career pathways that meet your particular interests.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and aims to give you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university's Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
Where our graduates work
Some of our previous students have secured graduate-level jobs in the Civil Service, international organisations, local government, the media, private sector companies, the culture industry, further and higher education teaching and non-government organisations (NGOs).
Further study
You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the International Relations MA and Politics MA. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.
How to apply
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UK Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS. Part-time students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
-
International Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimer
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2021/22 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
Facilities
Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Placements and study abroad opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Additional costs
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).