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Politics at University of Plymouth - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

University of Plymouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

26Apr
University of Plymouth - Open Day
Undergraduate
18Jun
University of Plymouth - Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Be a part of the next generation leading political change and tackling some of the major issues we face. Hone your skills in practical, real-world scenarios and learn how to campaign for a local constituency or represent the UK at the Earth Summit in one of our unique simulations. We place politics in a broad setting, looking beyond Westminster and Washington to both the global and hyperlocal.

  • Learn from experts. Be inspired by teaching rooted in research. Work closely with experienced and engaging staff who are leading experts in their fields; areas of expertise include popular protest in the Middle East, NATO and security studies, the politics of China, global environmental politics and the politics of the European Union.
  • Design your degree. Integrate innovative modules from across the School of Society and Culture, focusing your degree on areas that interest you and making your degree your own.
  • Boost your experience. Opportunities to study abroad, gain practical experience or work in your chosen field. Build practical skills to take into your future through varied and innovative assessments.
  • Connect with the political environment. Field trips and guest speakers will help you connect more directly with the world of politics, including a first-year trip to London where an MP gives a behind the scenes tour of the House of Commons.
  • Stay informed. Understand and analyse an ever-changing political landscape, both in the UK and the world.

Modules

In year one, you will meet and work with all members of staff in the politics and international relations group. You will develop the skills to thrive at Plymouth as an undergraduate, and be provided with opportunities to make friends with your peers on the course. You will find out what some key political thinkers have argued about democracy and its rivals. You will study the politics behind some of the most urgent environmental problems faced by humanity. You will compare different democratic systems across the world, and understand how various domestic and international political actors behave and how international systems have evolved. In your second year, you will look at the politics of the global south, study British politics as it evolves, explore different types of non-democratic regimes and find out how the EU works and how it intends to deal with the UK as its new neighbour. You can study how civil society groups shape politics, how political debate and opinion is changing via traditional and social media, and how globalisation influences our understanding of sovereignty. Alternatively, you can choose up to two modules from across our school or study abroad with one of our partner institutions overseas. You will do research on a political issue of your choice, with close support from our expert staff. You can choose from modules delivered by staff with research expertise in subjects such as the politics of the Middle East, Africa, the USA and Europe, environmental governance, the media, post-truth politics, or learn how to develop, plan and coordinate political campaigns and elections. There is also an opportunity to develop your skills with our work-based learning module. Make your degree your own, studying modules offered by other disciplines across our school. The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website.

Assessment method

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated International Student Advice (ISA) service who will support you from the day you accept an offer at the University, right through to graduation. They will offer help and advice so you can get the most out of your studies, and your time in the UK, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services/international-students/international-student-advice for more information. Once you have applied through UCAS, your conditional offer letters will also be sent to you by email, so be sure to enter your current email address on your application and to check this email regularly. You'll need your unconditional letter, and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that we'll send you, when applying for your student visa to the UK. A tuition fee deposit will be required before we'll send you the CAS. We're a licenced Sponsor under the Points Based System. To comply with our duties as a Sponsor, we're required to check other aspects of your application in addition to your academic achievements, for example any previous studies, financial status and your immigration history in the UK. For course entry requirements (inc. English requirements) please refer to the specific page for the course you are interested in (www.plymouth.ac.uk/study). A recognised English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) would be required or successful completion of one of the University's pre-sessional English Language courses. Check our country pages to find out more about application from your specific home country www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/study/international-students-country-guides. International fees, please visit our fees and funding pages www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees. If you have any questions please contact [email protected].

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 or above required.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6With 5.5 in all elements.

Full details of English Language requirements can be found on our website.

English Language Requirements

https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
60%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
75%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees * Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
Politics at University of Plymouth - UCAS