Tuition Fee
£9,250.00 (UK/EU)
£14,500.00 (INT)
$38,000.00 (US)
Programme Overview
Political Science degree provides students with knowledge in three core areas of Political Science: political thought, political systems and public policy. Political Science is taught using a range of methods which reflect the international student body, whilst making the best use of emerging technologies.
The study of political ideologies, theories and ideas is balanced against the practical study of policy-making across a wide range of themes and issue-areas, and political processes in a wide range of states and regions. Students enjoy a broad study of political thinkers and theories, whilst directly engaging with a range of practical policy issues, in many different national and regional settings. The British Politics course, for example, is partially taught in the Houses of Parliament.
The degree also recognises the international dimension of political, economic and policy processes, and ensures students are familiar with the politics of the developing world. Students develop the methodological and technical skills of the social sciences, making the best use of new technologies and practices. The courses also ensure that students in other majors can gain a sufficient understanding of Political Science to help conceptualise the political dimensions of their chosen fields. The programme provides a background both for further postgraduate study and future careers, including work in government, international organisations, business, finance and the media. Students also take a range of optional courses in national, regional and globalisation studies, or addressing thematic areas of contemporary interest, allowing for specialisation within the degree according to student interest.
5 Reasons to Study Political Science
- Access to the leading non-governmental, governmental and political Institutions
- A cross-disciplinary programme that combines areas of study from the Humanities
- Senior students have the opportunity to collaborate on research and co-write papers with professors which will be desirable to employers and to higher education institutions
- Participate in exciting educational trips to Turkey, historical institutions in London, and Europe
- Gain vital work experience that is desirable to employers, by partaking in an integrated international internship
Modules breakdown
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 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
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 |
||
Political Communications | Sustainable Development |
||
Rise Of The Right: History of Fascisms | Postcolonial Theory and Development |
||
Nationalism And Conflict | Culture, Power and Empire |
||
Critical Globalization Studies | Migration and Diasporas |
||
Global Governance | Country Risk Analysis |
||
Security Studies | International Relations Theory |
||
US Grand Strategy | International Political Economy |
||
Miracle To Meltdown: East & Southeast Asia | Conflict And Peace Studies |
||
Game Theory and Decision Methods | International Human Rights |
||
Politics Of The Middle East | Diplomatic Studies |
||
Politics in the USA | Foreign Policy Analysis |
||
Politics goes to Hollywood | Global Energy Politics |
||
The European Union in New International System | Global News Analysis |
||
Islam and The West | Political Sociology: Power, State and Society |
||
Politics Of Sub-Saharan Africa | Citizenship: National and Global |
||
Russian Politics and History | Politics Of Environmentalism |
||
Modern China | Ethnicity and Identity |
||
Plus 4 FHEQ Level 5 Electives | Gender, Politics and International Relations |
||
Religion, Identity And Power |
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Democracy and Democratization |
|||
3 Year Pathway Entry Requirements
A Level: 3 C’s or equivalent*
*All other equivalent eligible transfer credits will be determined by Admissions.
4 Year Pathway Entry Requirements
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
English Language Requirements (Non Native English Speakers)
☐ IELTS 5.5 with 5.5 in each Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing
☐ TOEFL (IBT) 80+ overall with: Listening 17, Reading 18, Writing 17, Speaking 20
☐ Pearsons Test of English (PTE) 51
☐ Overall Cambridge English Scale score of no less than 168 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
☐ TOEFL (IBT) 80+ overall with: Listening 17, Reading 18, Writing 17, Speaking 20
☐ Pearsons Test of English (PTE) 51
☐ Overall Cambridge English Scale score of no less than 168 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
How to apply
You apply directly using the Common Application ($50.00) or the Richmond One Line Application. In order to submit your application you will need the following information
- Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
- A personal statement – this can either be emailed as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online
- An electronic copy of your in process or completed high school (secondary school) transcript and graduation certificate
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.
UCAS Course Code
3 year pathway
RU09
4 year pathway
L210
Full Time 3-4 Years
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
Useful Links
What our students say
“When I first stepped on to the Richmond Campus, I felt a sense of completeness. At once, the campus was large enough for all the incredible things I was going to learn and overall incredibly intimate, the sense of community is really pronounced. As a Political Science major, I have seen this institution look so clearly and with an unflinching eye on the issues that our world faces today. A huge part of my major is colouring outside the lines, there is creativity in everything that is done whether it be introducing new ideas to solve the crises of capitalism or a policy brief on child hunger in Southeast Asia, creativity is everywhere. Richmond University is a beautiful, bucolic learning experience.”
Where to find us
Richmond Hill Campus
Queen’s Road
Richmond-upon-Thames
TW10 6JP
England
+44 (0) 208 332 8200 (Main Switchboard)
