Course summary
Our politics degree will give you the tools to think critically about how power is exercised, how political decisions are made, and who makes these decisions, while developing your knowledge and practical skills.
Our Politics BA combines academic rigor with dynamic, hands-on learning. You’ll explore campaigns, elections, protests, policy debates, sharpening your skills in analysis, research, and debate. Unique opportunities like Model NATO—where you’ll simulate high-level diplomacy and crisis management in Washington, London, and Lisbon—enhance your expertise. With expert teaching and diverse module options, this course prepares you for a successful career in politics, diplomacy, and beyond.
Reasons to study this course?
-
Build transferable skills in critical analysis, research, and debate through a curriculum covering campaigns, elections, policy debates, and protest movements, preparing you for diverse careers in today’s competitive job market.
-
Engage in real-world diplomacy at Model NATO events in Washington DC, London, and Lisbon, developing your global perspective and decision-making skills in an international setting.
-
Tailor your degree by choosing from a wide selection of optional modules, allowing you to specialise in areas that align with your interests and career goals.
-
Learn from renowned academics in politics, international relations, and political economy, enhancing your critical thinking and supporting your academic and professional development.
Modules
For a full list and detailed description of modules on offer, please visit the course page on our website.
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:
- L200
- Institution code:
- B32
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
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
Application codes
- Course code:
- L200
- 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 accepted but subjects are considered on a case by case basis - contact us for further guidance.
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
The most common grades on entry for this course are below our standard offer. These include 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.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
* 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.
Related courses
At University of Birmingham