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Politics and Philosophy

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 28 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Birmingham

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Challenge your thinking, shape your understanding, and explore the world’s most pressing political and philosophical questions Joint Honours degree that prepares you for both intellectual growth and real-world impact. Engage critically with key thinkers, develop essential skills and gain valuable opportunities through placements and global experiences for high employability.

Through this course, you’ll develop critical skills in analysis, debate, and problem-solving, enabling you to evaluate complex ideas and make informed decisions. These transferable skills will prepare you for a wide range of careers, from policy analysis and international relations to law, business, and public service, ensuring you’re ready to thrive in today’s dynamic world.

Apply your learning to real-world contexts with hands-on experience in global challenges.

Our Politics and Philosophy BA offers a unique blend of political theory and philosophical inquiry, with opportunities for tailored research, a professional development module, and international study experiences. Gain hands-on experience in diplomacy, decision-making, and crisis management through prestigious Model NATO simulations in Washington, London, and Lisbon. Study under world-class academics, with access to exceptional extracurricular and career support to help you stand out in a competitive global landscape.

Why study this course?

  • Develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills, preparing you for careers in policy, law, international relations, and business with highly transferable, in-demand skills.

  • Engage in Model NATO events globally, enhancing diplomacy and crisis-management skills. The opportunity to complete a Professional Development module enables you to apply your learning in practice to significantly boost your employability.

  • Shape your studies with a unique mix of political theory and philosophical inquiry, alongside independent research projects.

  • Engage with world-class academics who offer personalised guidance, fostering skill and career development through seminars, supervision, and strong departmental support throughout your studies.

#1 in the UK for being most frequently targeted by the country's top employers (High Fliers Research 2024)

8th for Philosophy in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

9th in the UK for research power in Politics and International studies, REF 2021

Modules

First-year modules cover a broad base of the subject and are designed to introduce you to ways of studying at university. By the final year the modules you take will become more specialised and reflect the research expertise of the academic staff. More detailed module information can be found on the course page.

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

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
VL52
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

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

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 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:
VL52
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level AAB

3 A Levels required

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

BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are all considered on a case by case basis.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 32 points

The entry requirements are 6,6,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall.

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

Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)

T Level

All subjects considered; Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component.

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.

The historic entry grades range shown below includes students admitted with alternative offers through our contextual admissions schemes. These are typically 1 or 2 grades below the standard offer. You can find information on these schemes using the link below.
You can check your eligibility to receive an offer for this course using our Offer Calculator using the same link.

Learn more on the University of Birmingham website

Historical entry grades data

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.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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 Government has yet to confirm the tuition fees payable by Home students for 2026/27 and subsequent years. The provisional tuition fee shown above relates to the academic year 2025/26. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees without delay.

For details of the annual tuition fee for International Students please see the course web page listed in the 'course details' section above.
If you are made an offer to study by the University, the yearly tuition fee will be stated in your offer letter.

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