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Politics and Philosophy

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 22/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
University Park Campus
More about University of Nottingham

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Are you curious about the ideas and ideals that underpin governments? Would you like to better understand the pressing philosophical debates of our day? Do you want to think more clearly about contemporary political issues?

Our BA Politics and Philosophy gives you the chance to learn new things, challenge yourself beyond what you know, and tackle the real issues and practices around the world. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of current affairs and learn how to apply critical thinking and effective problem-solving skills to contemporary political issues.

Our degree will equip you with a broad range of skills and knowledge that will open doors to a variety of career paths. You’ll explore a variety of political areas, including comparative politics, political theory, and global security. You’ll learn how to apply philosophy to contemporary issues, enabling you to think critically and effectively about the world around you.

By combining politics with philosophy, you will open a world of possibilities for your future career across the private, public or charitable sectors. Whether you're interested in working as a parliamentary assistant, councillor, civil servant, researcher, or policy analyst, our course can help you achieve your career goals. Our school alumni have secured jobs at top organisations such as AON, the BBC, Citibank, Civil Service, House of Commons, and Unison.

Modules

In year one, you will typically take modules that are designed to introduce you to key concepts and theories across the broad field of politics and philosophy.

You will explore political theory, comparative politics and start to learn about philosophical thinking. Optional modules cover gender, justice, and society; history of philosophy; metaphysics, science and language; and philosophy of religions.

In year two, you choose 60 credits from each politics and philosophy modules. You could choose to look at national identity or global security, ethics or European philosophy.

In year three, you will have the option to write a dissertation based on a topic of your choice under the supervision of a member of staff. You may also choose from a wide range of modules related to our research areas.

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

  • University Park Campus

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 22/09/2025

Apply by
29 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:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Nottingham 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
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:
VL52
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAB

Excluding General Studies, Citizenship and Critical Thinking.

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

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Scottish Higher - AABBB

Scottish Advanced Highers at AA are also required

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

Considered with an A level at grade A

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

Please contact the school for further information.

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

Considered with two A levels at grades AB

Scottish Advanced Higher - AA

Scottish Highers at AABBB are also required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

or 6,6,5 in three Higher Level Certificates

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

Considered with two A levels at grades AB

Extended Project - A

If you have already achieved your EPQ at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower. If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ. If you qualify for a contextual offer, your EPQ will be taken into consideration and the appropriate adjustment will be made to your offer. Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer, your EPQ will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M1, M2

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English grade 4/C required

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) - A

If you have already achieved your Core Maths qualification at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower. If you are still studying for your Core Maths qualification you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower if you achieve an A grade in your Core Maths qualification. If you qualify for a contextual offer, your Core Maths qualification will be taken into consideration and the appropriate adjustment will be made to your offer. Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer, your Core Maths qualification will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

European Baccalaureate - 80% Overall

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.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham 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.

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

LocationFeeYear
Republic of Ireland£9535*Year 1
Channel Islands£9535*Year 1
EU£23000*Year 1
England£9535*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535*Year 1
Scotland£9535*Year 1
Wales£9535*Year 1
International£23000*Year 1

* 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

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202526/undergraduate.aspx

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