Philosophy with Politics BA

Studying Philosophy with Politics at Royal Holloway isn’t just about essays and lectures — it’s about learning to think, question, and apply ideas to the real world. A lot of your learning happens through conversations, debates, study trips and research, where you actively test your ideas rather than memorise theories. You’ll also have access to one of the UK’s best humanities libraries and get personal academic support as you grow into an independent thinker.

Here’s what experiential learning actually looks like on this course:

• Real-world philosophical learning – even in Greece: Philosophy students recently travelled to Athens to visit Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum — turning ancient philosophy into a real, lived experience.

• Debate-driven classes, not passive lectures: Most teaching happens in small seminars where you discuss moral dilemmas, political systems and challenge opinions openly with classmates and professors.

• World-class library and digital resources: You’ll constantly work with the Founder's Library, political journals, philosophical texts and online research platforms to support essays and group discussions.

• Final-year dissertation with personal supervision: In your final year, you choose a topic you care about — whether it's ethics, feminism, democracy or human rights — and work one-on-one with an academic to produce original research.

• Student societies and research groups: If you enjoy debating or exploring new ideas, you can join the Philosophy Society, Debating Society, or attend sessions by the Contemporary Political Theory Research Group.

• Academic and writing support: From essay-writing workshops to logic training and research skills, the department supports you in developing clear thinking and strong communication — skills highly valued in law, diplomacy and public policy.

A Philosophy with Politics degree from Royal Holloway opens doors to careers where analytical thinking, ethical judgment, and political awareness are essential. Graduates don’t just understand theories — they know how to apply them to policy, society, media, and global decision-making. That’s why alumni progress into roles such as:

• Policy Officer / Public Affairs Consultant – shaping policy for governments, NGOs, or think tanks

• Diplomatic Service / Civil Service roles – contributing to government departments, foreign policy, or public administration

• Research Analyst / Political Risk Consultant – working in research firms, financial companies, or international organisations

• Journalist / Communications & Media Executive – reporting, campaigning, or managing public communication strategies

Now, let’s break down how the university prepares students for these paths:

Career Preparation & Employability Support

Royal Holloway doesn’t wait until the final year to talk about careers — employability is embedded throughout your degree.

• Careers & Employability Service – offers personalised career coaching, CV and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, and employer networking fairs for politics, government, law, media, and NGO sectors.

• Exclusive Placement Scheme – "Politics in Action" – students can spend one day a week gaining practical experience in real political environments, such as:

  • Local government councils

  • Parliament, political parties, or MPs’ offices

  • NGOs, charities, and campaign groups

  • Embassies, policy think tanks, or media outlets.

• Employer Links & Guest Speakers – departments frequently host talks from civil servants, public policy experts, journalists, ethicists, politicians, and legal professionals.

Graduate Success & Rankings

• 85% of graduates in Politics/Philosophy-related degrees are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (DiscoverUni official data).

• Politics at Royal Holloway is ranked Top 15 in the UK (Times & Sunday Times 2025).

• Philosophy students recorded 98% satisfaction with teaching clarity in student feedback surveys.

• RHUL is part of the University of London, giving graduates strong recognition and long-term credibility in academic and professional sectors.

Career Fields Graduates Commonly Enter

• Government & Civil Service (Home Office, Foreign Office, Local Government)

• Law (via PGDL conversion courses or training contracts)

• Journalism, broadcasting, public relations

• NGOs, humanitarian agencies, and human rights advocacy

• Research and consultancy (public policy, ethics, political risk, social research)

• Corporate sectors – communications, leadership development, corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Further Academic Progression:

Students who want to specialise academically or professionally often go on to:

• Master’s Degrees (MA/MSc) in:

  • Public Policy, International Relations, Global Politics

  • Philosophy (Ethics, Political Philosophy, Mind, Logic)

  • Human Rights, Diplomacy & Global Governance

  • International Security or Peace & Conflict Studies

• Law Conversion Courses:

  • PGDL / GDL leading to Solicitor/Bar training

• Postgraduate Research (MPhil/PhD) in Philosophy, Political Theory, or Ethics

• Civil Service Fast Stream / Diplomatic Service training programmes