BSocSc Politics and International Relations (3 Years)
Entry requirementsSelected entry requirements A level: Grades AAB. This must include one social science (eg. Politics, Economics, Sociology) or a Humanity (eg. History, Human Geography). General Studies is welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer. Two AS-levels accepted in place of one A-level. Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications. Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes. GCSE: Minimum grade C in English Language. Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University. International baccalaureate: 35 points overall including 6,6,5 at Highers including a social science. Additional entry requirements Additional entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Academic titleBSocSc Politics and International Relations
Course descriptionCourse description
The study of Politics entails five intersecting realms: Area Studies, Comparative Politics and Political Behaviour; International Relations; Political Theory and Policy Making. At The University of Manchester, there are internationally recognised experts working in all these areas of politics. We also have a long-standing reputation for teaching and research in politics. As well as securing a '5' in the 2001 Reseach Assessment Exercise, the quality of our teaching was also recognised when the department received the highest possible marks (24/24) for teaching quality. We have a long tradition of teaching the subject for over 50 years, with some 35 academic political science members of staff and constitute the largest unit of its kind in the country. Therefore, we can offer a wide choice of modules in areas such as Britain and American Politics; the European Union; Comparative European Politics; Political Theory; Third World Politics; International Relations; Globalisation; Gender and Ethics. The BSocSc (Politics and International Relations) is a single honours specialist degree course designed for those who wish from the outset to specialise in the study of Politics and International Relations. The degree course is constructed to enable you to develop your interests and academic capabilities through course units drawn from six sub-areas.
Course content for year 1
You take core course units in Comparative Politics, Political Theory and International Relations. In addition, there is a compulsory course unit covering Reseach and Study Skills that culminates in a group project. A first year student may also choose to take optional courses on European Politics and Social Policy. In the first year you must take 80 politcs credits, but may take up to 120.
Course content for year 2
You continue to study the three core sub-fields intoduced in Year 1, write an extended essay (or independent project) of 5-6,000 words, on a topic of your choosing, and have the opportunity to take 'gateway' courses in four other sub-fields: British Politics; U.S Politics; Policy Making and Third World Politics. A second year student must also take a minimum of 80 credits, but may take up to 120. Hence, over the first two years, you take from up to 80 free choice credits outside Politics, either in other Social Sciences (such as Sociology or Economics) or in an appropriate subsidiary subject such as a language, History or Philosophy.
Course content for year 3
By the final year you will have acquired a background in political science that has prepared you for the whole range of more specialised options offered and for the final year dissertation on a topic of your choosing. In addition to completing a dissertation (worth 40 credits) final year students take Comtemporary Political Analysis, which examines the methodology of political science, and 60 optional credits in Politics and International Relations. Hence, as a final year student you may choose to maintain a broad coverage of the topics on offer or to specialise in a sub-field. Though not all may be available in one year, there are more than twenty final year Politics course units currently available.
Accrediting organisations
We are affiliated to the European Consortium for Political Research and a corporate member of the University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES). We also play an active part in both the Political Studies Association and the British International Studies Association.
Career opportunities
A degree from Manchester is recognised as a mark of quality and our external examiners frequently comment on the high quality of our teaching and written work of our students. Previously, graduates have gone on to become trainee journalists, human rights campaigners, financial consultants, teachers, lobbyists, parliamentary researchers, graduate trainees, editorial assistants and project management co-ordinators.