Course summary

TEF Silver

University of Southampton has opted into the TEF and received a Silver award.

Our BSc Politics offers a firm grounding in the three main areas of political theory, comparative politics and international relations.

Aspire to change society for the better with a BSc in Politics from the University of Southampton. This three-year BSc course will develop your understanding of political systems, political ideas and thinkers, democracy and the modern state, and, through a wide range of optional modules, introduce you to crucial political debates such as the dilemmas of modern migration, the role of the media, and the future of the European Union.

Our BSc Politics is designed to develop skills in analytical and critical thinking, as well as highly valued independent research skills. This degree can help lead to careers in politics, national and international political institutions, the civil service, think tanks, campaign organizations, as well as careers in business and journalism.

Course details

Modules

We teach a range of core modules common to all the politics degrees in Year 1, as well as compulsory modules in Year 2 which are particular to some degrees only. Four modules are studied per semester. There are optional module choices in all three years, and in Year 3 all modules taken are optional (except the dissertation, which is compulsory).

Research methods modules are taught in both Year 1 and Year 2, in order to deliver the key research skills required on this programme, to support your research and study in your other modules and to prepare you for the dissertation in Year 3.

Students pick optional modules from a range (see our website for more details). In addition to this, our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers our students the chance to take optional modules outside their core disciplines. This allows you to personalise your education, to develop new skills and knowledge for your future.

Assessment method

Modules are examined through a combination of examinations and coursework, and the specific arrangements vary according to module. Final degree classifications are based on marks from the second and third years.

How to apply

Application deadlines

If your application is completed by the following date, it’s guaranteed to be considered:

15 January

*If you apply after this deadline, universities or colleges don’t have to consider your application if they’ve filled their spaces, so the sooner you apply, the better!

Application codes

You will need these codes when you add a choice to your application.

Course code	L200
Institution code	S27
Campus name	Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus code	-

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Qualification	Offer	Further information
UCAS Tariff	Not accepted
A level	BBB - ABB	Typical offer: ABB or BBB including Politics (minimum grade B) If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A-level offer: BBB to include grade A in the EPQ Contextual offer: BBB We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Please note, General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted for this course. The University of Southampton values the Extended Project Qualification. Applicants taking the EPQ in addition to three A Levels may also be made an alternative offer one grade below the standard offer, conditional on an A grade in the EPQ.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)	DDM	DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma
Access to HE Diploma	D: 30 credits M: 15 credits	Typical offer: 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit
Scottish Higher		Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact the Faculty of Social, Human and Mathematical Sciences Admissions Office at ugapply.fshms@southampton.ac.uk for more information.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal	D3, M2, M2	Typical offer: D3 M2 M2 in three Principal subject Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer
Extended Project	A	The University of Southampton values the Extended Project Qualification. Applicants taking the EPQ in addition to three A levels, may also be made an alternative offer one grade below the standard offer, conditional on an A grade in the EPQ. For more information on the University of Southampton’s EPQ Admissions Policy, please see our EPQ Admissions Policy webpage.
GCSE/National 4/National 5	Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme	32 points	Typical offer: Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP): Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)	H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)	DD	DD in the BTEC Diploma plus B grade from one A-level
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)	DDM	DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)	DD	DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus B from one A-level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)	D	D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB from two A levels
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)	D	D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB from two A levels
Scottish Advanced Higher		Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact the Faculty of Social, Human and Mathematical Sciences Admissions Office at ugapply.fshms@southampton.ac.uk for more information. Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)	B	Typical offer: AB from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate Alternative offer: BB from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate, Foundation Programmes. You will be expected to attain an equivalent standard to the A level applicant

English Language proficiency for international students: All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. For more information on the University of Southampton’s English Language entry requirements, please see the English Language Proficiency webpage at http://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page.

For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Admissions Team at ugapply.FSHMS@soton.ac.uk

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/politics/undergraduate/courses/l200_bsc-politics.page

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands	£9,250	Year 1
EU	£9,250	Year 1
International	£17,560	Year 1
England	£9,250	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£9,250	Year 1
Scotland	£9,250	Year 1
Wales	£9,250	Year 1

Additional fee information

Please note that the Fees shown are those charged for entry in September 2020. Fees for entry in September 2021 will be available at the end of August 2020. Please see our website for further details and updates : www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

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