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Constant political change and upheaval dominate our lives today. Go behind the headlines to discover the structures and ideas that shape global politics, and open up a wide range of exciting career possibilities with this BA.
Whether it’s doing postgraduate study or working in government, international organisations, NGOs, business, social enterprises, finance, law, or the media, the choice will be yours.
You’ll focus on three core areas of Political Science: political thought, political systems and public policy, going from the theory of each to real world political situations.
Like our other programmes, our BA in Political Science is based on the American liberal arts tradition, which offers a multi-disciplinary approach, combining areas of study from the Humanities. That’s why your first year will include Scientific Reasoning and Creative Expression, as well as The Global Cold War and Comparative Political Systems.
You’ll enjoy a broad study of political thinkers and theories, going beyond the classroom to experience practical policy issues. Discover British politics in the setting of the Houses of Parliament.
From Global Development Politics to Policy Making in a Globalised World, our students gain a truly international understanding of politics and its processes.
Research plays an important role, so that you’ll acquire important skills using the latest technology which will be invaluable for any career. Some of our senior students have the opportunity to collaborate with academic staff on research.
A number of fascinating electives are on offer, giving you the chance to specialise in topics which appeal to you, such as ‘Gender, Politics and IR’, ‘Democracy and Democratization’, ‘Politics of Environmentalism’, and ‘Religion, Identity and Power’.
You can also take courses which allow you to specialise in the politics of different regions, including the USA, Latin America, the EU, Asia, Russia, Africa and the Middle East.
Many of our students also gain international political experience through an accredited internship, which helps shape their education and career choice.
3 Years pathway
Core Modules & Electives
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 |
|---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Fall Semester | Fall Semester |
Foundations of Politics | Evolution of International Systems | Senior Seminar I |
The Global Cold War | Major Political Thinkers | Policy Making Globalized World |
Comparative Political Systems | Intro to Macroeconomics | Elective |
Research & Writing I | Elective | Elective |
Creative Expression | Elective | Elective |
Spring Semester | Spring Semester | Spring Semester |
Rich World Poor World | British Politics | Senior Seminar II |
Introduction to IR | Global Dev Politics | Liberty, Justice, Equality |
Probability and Statistics I | Research Methods and Practices | Elective |
Research & Writing II | Political Economy | Elective |
Scientific Reasoning | Elective | Elective |
4 Years pathway
Core Modules
CORE SUBJECTS |
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|---|---|---|---|
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 |
The Global Cold War | Rich World/Poor World | Global Development Politics | Liberty, Justice, Equality: Contemporary Political Theory |
Foundations of Politics | Introduction to Macroeconomics | Political Economy: Capitalism and its Critics | Policy-Making in a Globalized World |
Comparative Political Systems | Introduction to International Relations | British Politics | Senior Seminar in Political Science 1 |
Transitions I | Evolution of International Systems | Research Methods and Practices: Social Sciences | Senior Seminar in Political Science 2 |
Transitions II | Probability and Statistics I | ||
Scientific Reasoning | Major Political Thinkers | ||
Creative Expression | 4 FHEQ Level 4 Electives | ||
Research and Writing I | |||
2 QCF Level 3 Electives | |||
Electives
ELECTIVE MODULES |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 |
Plus 2 of the following: | Plus 6 of the following OR Internship and 4 of the following: |
||
Power in the Americas | The American Presidency |
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Political Communications | Sustainable Development |
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Rise Of The Right: History of Fascisms | Postcolonial Theory and Development |
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Nationalism And Conflict | Culture, Power and Empire |
||
Critical Globalization Studies | Migration and Diasporas |
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Global Governance | Country Risk Analysis |
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Security Studies | International Relations Theory |
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US Grand Strategy | International Political Economy |
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Miracle To Meltdown: East & Southeast Asia | Conflict And Peace Studies |
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Game Theory and Decision Methods | International Human Rights |
||
Politics Of The Middle East | Diplomatic Studies |
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Politics in the USA | Foreign Policy Analysis |
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Politics goes to Hollywood | Global Energy Politics |
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The European Union in New International System | Global News Analysis |
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Islam and The West | Political Sociology: Power, State and Society |
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Politics Of Sub-Saharan Africa | Citizenship: National and Global |
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Russian Politics and History | Politics Of Environmentalism |
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Modern China | Ethnicity and Identity |
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Plus 4 FHEQ Level 5 Electives | Gender, Politics and International Relations |
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Religion, Identity And Power |
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Democracy and Democratization |
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A Level: 3 C’s or equivalent*
*All other equivalent eligible transfer credits will be determined by Admissions.
A Level: 96 UCAS points
US High School Diploma (or equivalent): 2.5 GPA minimum (on 4.0 scale)
International Baccalaureate: 24 IB points (year 1) BTEC National Diploma: MMM.
Completion of Year 12-13 International equivalent secondary school qualification with a minimum grade average of grade of C including mathematics and English
Qualification | Undergraduate | Validity Period |
IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 with 5.5 in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing | 2 Years |
TOEFL IBT | 72 with 17 Listening, 18 in Reading, 17 Writing, 20 Speaking | 2 Years |
Pearson Test of English | 51 with 51 in each component | 2 Years |
First, Advanced, Proficiency – taken after January 2015 | 162 overall (no less than 162 in each component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge First: Advantage, Proficiency – taken before January 2015 | Cambridge First: Grade B overall (No less than B in any component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge Advanced: Grade C (no less than C in any component) less than C in any component) | No Expiry |
|
Cambridge Proficiency: Level C1 certificate | No Expiry |
You apply directly using the Common Application ($50.00) or the Richmond online Application. In order to submit your application you will need the following information
When to apply
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you are completing your undergraduate programme of study. In this case you will be offered a place that is conditional on successfully completing a specified qualification and English language qualification if applicable. If you would like your application to be considered for a Richmond bursary, an early application is strongly recommended
Application process
Admission is by interview unless you live outside the UK when we may interview you via Skype or by telephone. We may also determine your suitability on the basis of their application and qualifications alone. Find out more about applying.
3 year pathway
4 year pathway
Including one year at QCF Level 3
(subject to credit transfer)
Contact our admissions team for more details:
admissions@richmond.ac.uk
Please note: Non US students are eligible
My experience of studying Political Science at Richmond has been wonderful. Politics can at times be a sensitive and complex subject. Having such a diverse, unique student body, and professors receptive of that, has been the best part. By studying here, I feel confident that I can use what I have learned to foster the future I want to see.
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