Tuition Fee
£9,250 (UK/EU)
£14,750 (INT)
$38,000 (US)
Virtual Open Event
Register for our upcoming Virtual Open Events. Learn more about our programmes, scholarship opportunities and life at Richmond.
Wednesday 2 December • 3-6pm GMT
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Duration
3 Years (Full-time)
4 Years (Full-time)
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Accreditation
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Location
Richmond Hill Campus
Programme Overview
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.
Top 5 Reasons to Study Political Science
- Acquire an analytical grasp of contemporary social, political and economic issues of concern to policy makers, business, the media and civil society
- Access to leading non-governmental, governmental and political institutions will bring your studies alive
- Gain vital work experience with an international internship, enhancing your career opportunities, while building experience with writing in a range of professional formats from project evaluations, policy briefs and policy-maker profiles to NGO campaign analyses and project grant applications.
- Take part in field trips to the European Parliament, Council and Commission and NATO in Brussels and the International Court of Justice in the Hague
- Learn from faculty academics leading research in specialist areas from ‘Politics in the USA’ to ‘Religion, Identity and Power’
After you graduate
Career Paths
Credit Suisse, Greenpeace USA, Stonewall,The United Nations Children’s Fund, World Bank
Further Education
London School of Economics and Political Science, Imperial College, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, University of St Gallen
Career paths for Political Science graduates
Research, Teaching, Law, Consulting, Museums, Galleries, Media, Communications, Advertising, Public Relations, Graduate Study/AcademiaCareer Support
We offer career support and advice through our Careers & Internships Office that will assist and guide you in your study choices to make sure you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Through internships you will gain business acumen, beneficial work experiences and transferable skills which will give you a competitive advantage in a fast-paced working environment. Work while you study across 5 continents through our partners Connect123 and CRCC Asia with destinations in Spain, Argentina, South Africa, China, Japan, Vietnam and Australia.
Study Abroad
All students at Richmond University have the opportunity to study abroad. You can either study at one of our campuses for a semester to a year or study overseas at any of our partner locations across the world giving you an unique experience.
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 |
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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 |
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|---|---|---|---|
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: |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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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)
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 |
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Cambridge Proficiency: Level C1 certificate | No Expiry |
How to apply
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
- 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
Undergraduate Prospectus
What our students say
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.
Teyah PayneBA Political Science student, 2018
“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.”
Christian AbuegBA Political Science
Where to find us
Richmond Hill Campus
Queen’s Road
Richmond-upon-Thames
TW10 6JP
England
+44 (0) 208 332 8200 (Main Switchboard)
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