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Study level:
Undergraduate

Course summary

BA Politics at Royal Holloway invites you to explore the ideas and ideologies, as well as the processes, institutions and issues that are fundamental to understanding the politics of our times.

You will gain a solid foundation in politics and political theory, studying subjects such as democracy and democratisation, elections, power, migration, ethnicity and human rights. As you progress through the degree, the flexible nature of the course allows you to specialise in fields such as European integration, democratic theory, British and American politics, political communication and young people’s politics.

The study of politics is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, drawing on insights from economics, history, philosophy and sociology. You will develop your understanding of power relations at all levels of social life and gain insight into the role of identity, ideology, interests and institutions in shaping the modern world.

We examine and compare governments, party politics, political behaviour and citizen movements in countries throughout the world. We will introduce you to the growing impact of the internet and new forms of social media that are changing how politics are conducted in the UK, Europe, North America and elsewhere.

The Department of Politics and International Relations has a strong commitment to high-quality, cutting-edge research, all of which informs our teaching. We are a research community that applies various theories and methods to the study of domestic, transnational, regional and global politics. We have expertise in African, British, Chinese, European, Middle East, North American and South Asian politics, and our research covers areas such as security, democratisation, youth politics, international diplomacy and political communication, as well as contemporary and radical theories of democracy and power.

Examine governments, party politics and political behaviour throughout the world.

Work with experts who have advised governments and international organisations.

Active student societies that field Model UN teams, visit London embassies, and bring ambassadors, NGO officials, and others on to campus to speak.

The flexibility to specialise in what interests you.

Research placement opportunities with political parties and organisations.

Modules

Please refer to our website for information https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/pir/politics.aspx

Assessment method

Your course will be assessed by a combination of examinations and in-course assignments in the form of essays or presentations.

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

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

Course code:
L200
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB - BBB

- Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required. - Socio-economic factors which may have impacted an applicant’s education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

BTEC must be in a related subject

Access to HE Diploma - D: 27 credits M: 18 credits P: 0 credits

Access must be in a related subject area. Please note that the Access to Higher Education Diploma will only be acceptable if the applicant has had a considerable break from education

Scottish Higher - AABBB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

BTEC must be in a related subject plus one A-Level grade B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

Plus two A-Levels graded B,B

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DDM

BTEC must be in a related subject

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD

BTEC must be in a related subject plus one A-Level grade B.

Scottish Advanced Higher - ABB - BBB

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

Grades 6,5,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H3, H3, H3

At Higher level.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We require at least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9 - 4 including English and Mathematics.

Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us at study@royalholloway.ac.uk to discuss your situation.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.

Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course and 9 other politics courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

98% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£25900Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
International£25900Year 1

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

The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. The fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £9,535.

This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding and the terms and conditions.

These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.

Sponsorship information

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studyhere/undergraduate/feesandfunding/bursariesandscholarships/home.aspx

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