The Department provides a lively interdisciplinary environment, specialising in the study of cultures and conflicts in a way that crosses boundaries between disciplines. You develop a broad foundation in politics in the first year, with courses covering: UK and European government and politics; key concepts in political theory, including democracy, freedom, and rights; the development of social welfare systems, combined with the main theories, concepts, problems and questions of political economy; and theories of international relations and the main developments in international politics since 1945. In the second year, you then specialise in the subjects that interest you most. The current politics options enable you to study: the evolution of European society since 1945; Chinese politics; modern political theory; art and politics; or themes and issues in British politics since 1945. The economics courses enable you to study: the modern African economy; or the main theories, concepts and problems in political economy.You can choose an approved course from another department.

Our graduates go on to a wide variety of careers. Some go on to postgraduate study or further training in law, accountancy, social work, business administration, or to specialise in one area of their academic studies, whilst others go directly into employment. Recent graduates have found employment in administration and management; in various departments of central and local government; in finance, in the media; in research and computing; in voluntary agencies; in health, education and housing management; the probation service; in company management, and as lecturers and teachers.