Politics is the study of power and how power operates in all its forms: through individuals, structures, internationally and domestically. Its principal focus is on power relations among individuals, social groups and nations. Philosophers specialise in critically making sense of ourselves and everything around us. Their currency is rigorous argumentation about subjects from consciousness to the nature of power relations themselves.

The Joint Honours degree will provide you with the skills to explore the philosophical and political landscape of human consciousness throughout time and place. You will gain a critically-informed grasp of political and current affairs, seeing beyond the news headlines to the real issues of politics. By studying this course, you will be strongly equipped to understand ideologies and be in a better position to comment upon and understand what the politicians are really saying.

A wide variety of options means that you can pursue your own interests - with things becoming increasingly flexible as you progress through the course. We also offer opportunities to learn with a language from your second year of study. With practical skills training, including advanced analytical approaches, as well as possible opportunities to study abroad - with all the experience that brings - this degree opens doors to a range of interesting and rewarding career possibilities and provides the skills to progress to higher research programmes.

Placement options

You may have the chance to spend a year getting a taste of professional life. It is an opportunity to develop core skills and explore how this course can relate to the graduate world, and it shows employers that you’re ready to get to work.

You are free to choose placement opportunities from a wide range of roles both in the UK and abroad. Students choosing this option are supported by a dedicated placement team who provide links to employers through presentations, events, and fairs, and provide a specialist programme of guidance on recruitment procedures including CV and interview preparation, as well as work readiness and working overseas.

Studying a Joint Honours degree gives you the opportunity to improve your employability by developing skills and knowledge in two subjects.

We’ll equip you with the vital tools and techniques to be a critical agent, so that you can positively influence others and play a leading role in driving progressive change – developing key skills in communication, analysis and presentation. These skills are transferable to a wide range of careers including roles in business and management, central and local government, international institutions, voluntary organisations, political parties, the media, publishing, research and teaching.

There is also the opportunity to engage in further study and professional training, for example some of our graduates go on to study MA International Relations and Global Communications, where we have a growing, innovative research cluster focusing on digital society and culture, or MA Philosophy, which focuses on a rich and varied tradition of philosophical theory across Anglo-American and the continental European traditions.