Course summary

Politics affects us all. It is about the ability to change lives, the big ideas that shape our social, economic and political worlds, and how these ideas become policies. It is about how we are governed, about politicians, parties, elections and governments, but, perhaps more importantly, it is also about the relationship between each one of us as individuals and as members of society, communities and organisations. Politics at Aberystwyth seeks to understand the institutions and practice of politics as well as the ideas and concepts that make up the big political issues of our time and shape our daily lives: ideas of justice, freedom, power, citizenship, democracy, and the morality of political decision-making. Aberystwyth University was the first to establish a department of International Politics. We have been teaching and inspiring in this subject since 1919. You will be taught and mentored by lectures who are enthusiastic, committed to providing you with an outstanding and dynamic learning environment. Employability is embedded across our teaching. We teach our students to aim for the career they want, not the job that they can get. The Department operates a prestigious Parliamentary Placement Scheme, enabling you to gain valuable experience working alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or an AM (Welsh Assembly, Cardiff) for a period of 4-6 weeks during the summer. During this time you will write reports and speeches, undertake research projects, and respond to constituency issues. There may be further opportunities for you to get involved in elections and various international issues. The Department is also home to Interstate, the oldest student-run international politics journal in the United Kingdom, providing a unique opportunity for you to publish your work (particularly advantageous if you wish to progress to postgraduate study) or gain valuable experience working as part of the editorial team. Stimulating student societies foster a strong sense of community within the department, offering a programme of political debates, visiting speakers, conferences and workshops, alongside numerous social activities such as an annual ball. Graduates from our department have pursued careers in:

• The Civil Service; Security Service;

• Government Research department;

• Public Affairs;

• Education;

• Social Research.