Politics

Politics is the study of power: how it is organised, exercised, contested, and distributed within and between societies. It asks who gets to make the decisions that affect collective life, on what basis those decisions are made, and what kinds of institutions and norms can promote justice, accountability, and democratic participation. Political science provides the analytical tools to engage with these questions at the level of theory and to investigate the behaviour of governments, parties, voters, and international organisations with empirical rigour.

At Coventry University, this part-time degree makes political science accessible to students who need to balance their studies with work or other commitments. You will study the dynamics of power and authority, examining how political systems function at national and international levels, what drives political behaviour, and how major political issues of the present day can be understood through the lenses that political science provides. The programme draws on comparative politics, political theory, international relations, and public policy, developing both your analytical skills and your knowledge of how different political systems operate around the world.

A sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement are all available, giving you the opportunity to gain professional experience in relevant settings and to study politics in a different national context.

Politics graduates enter a wide range of careers. Government, the civil service, local authorities, political parties, journalism, think tanks, international organisations, the charity sector, and public affairs are all common destinations. The analytical, research, and communication skills that the degree develops are valued in business, finance, and management roles as well.

Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in politics, public policy, international relations, or law, developing greater depth in areas of particular interest or pursuing academic careers in political science.