European Politics BA

From your very first year, this degree is about learning politics by experiencing it firsthand. You won’t just read about European institutions—you’ll be analysing them, debating their decisions, and developing the tools to research and present your own findings. King’s central London location, just minutes from Parliament, puts you right at the centre of Europe’s most vibrant political conversations, while world-class facilities and international links ensure your studies are immersive and practical.

Here’s how experiential learning takes shape throughout the programme:

• Year One Foundations
  Begin with an intensive introduction to European politics and government. You’ll gain hands-on training in political research methods and essay-based analysis, while working with a multi-national faculty drawn from politics, law, international development, and war studies. Expect interactive seminars, small-group debates, and presentations that develop your confidence and public speaking skills from the very first year.

• Research Methodology & Skills Training
  From the start, you’ll be taught how to design and carry out your own research projects—building a toolkit for evidence-based political analysis that you’ll apply in essays, group work, and your final dissertation.

• Group Work & Presentations
  Assessments go beyond exams: you’ll collaborate with peers on group projects and oral presentations, sharpening your ability to debate, persuade, and communicate ideas effectively.

• Interdisciplinary Engagement
  Your degree is enriched by close ties with the Department of War Studies, the Department of Political Economy, the Department of International Development, and the Dickson Poon School of Law—giving you a wider lens on European and global political questions.

• Study Abroad in Year Two
  Spend a semester at a prestigious partner university such as Sciences Po (France), University of Copenhagen, University of Oslo, Luiss (Italy), UBC (Canada), University of Michigan, UNC Chapel Hill, Maastricht, or the National University of Singapore—immersing yourself in another academic and cultural environment.

• London as a Living Classroom
  Located at the Strand Campus, you’ll be steps away from Parliament, embassies, think tanks, and NGOs—giving you unmatched access to political events, guest lectures, and networking opportunities.

• World-Class Resources
  Tap into the Maughan Library’s political science collections, use King’s digital tools and IT support for research, and connect with King’s Careers & Employability team to explore internships, placements, and graduate opportunities in organisations such as the European Parliament, UK Civil Service, and international NGOs.

Here’s how King’s actively supports European Politics BA students’ transition from study to career, with concrete outcomes:

University services supporting employability

• King’s hosts over 500 employers on campus each year, offering a packed calendar of careers fairs, workshops, and networking events.

• The Employer Engagement Team and the King’s Skills for the Future digital suite help students develop and evidence transferable skills such as negotiation, digital literacy, innovation, resilience, and AI fluency.

Employment stats and salary figures

• Around 85% of European Politics BA graduates go on to work and/or further study within 15 months of graduation.

• Average salaries for politics-related degrees from King’s are approximately £27,000 (15 months after graduation), rising to £29,500 after 3 years and £36,000 after 5 years.

• Employment is typically at a professional level: 80% are in highly skilled roles, and 60% report their work as meaningful and closely linked to what they studied.

University–industry partnerships

• Graduates move into respected organisations such as the UK Civil Service, European Parliament (Schuman Traineeships), the House of Commons, Credit Agricole CIB, and the État-Major de l’Armée de Terre.

• King’s is also among the most targeted universities by top UK employers, with over 90% of graduates in highly skilled employment within 15 months.

Long-term accreditation value

• In the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework, King’s earned a Gold rating for graduate outcomes, underlining the career impact of its degrees.

• King’s also ranks 7th in the UK for Graduate Employability in the Times Higher Education Global Employability Ranking.

Graduation outcomes

• Many graduates move into professional roles in public service, journalism, consultancy, EU institutions, NGOs, and finance.

• Common job titles include Campaign Strategist, Parliamentary Assistant, KYC Analyst, Chargée de Mission, and Schuman Trainee.

• Importantly, 60% of graduates say they are applying what they learned in their degree to their current roles.

Further Academic Progression

After completing the European Politics BA, you’ll be well-prepared for advanced study. Popular options include:

• A Master’s in Public Policy at King’s, leading to careers such as Policy Advisor in the Civil Service, Research Assistant at Boston Consulting Group, Policy Analyst at Homes England, or Press Officer for an MEP.

• Postgraduate research at King’s or internationally, building on your foundation in European politics and policy analysis.

• Interdisciplinary Master’s degrees in International Relations, Political Economy, or EU Governance, which open doors to senior policy and research careers.