Enter OTP
The BA Philosophy & Politics at Swansea University is designed for students who want to explore the big ideas that shape societies and learn how they translate into real political action. You’ll study everything from justice, power and democracy to the institutions and policies that govern our world — gaining the critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills that employers value highly.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1 – Building the Foundations
Your first year introduces you to the key ideas and methods of both disciplines. In philosophy, modules like Introduction to Ancient Philosophy and Rhetoric develop your reasoning and argumentation skills, while courses such as Disinformation, Ideology and Bias help you understand how ideas shape political realities. Alongside this, politics modules like Introduction to Politics and Politics and the People explore how political systems work and how citizens interact with power.
Year 2 – Deepening Your Knowledge
In the second year, you’ll start to think more critically and engage with deeper debates. Politics modules such as The State and Political Institutions and The History of Political Thought give you insight into how political systems evolve and how ideas like democracy, authority, and freedom have developed over time. In philosophy, courses like Philosophy of the Enlightenment and Contemporary Moral Controversies challenge you to apply ethical reasoning to modern political issues, while Anarchy and Order explores the nature of international politics.
Year 3 – Specialising and Researching
Your final year is where you bring everything together and make the degree your own. You’ll undertake an independent dissertation or research project, exploring a topic that inspires you and demonstrating your ability to think and write like a scholar. Optional modules such as Freedom, Angst and the Embodied Self, Political Culture, and War and Peace let you specialise in areas that match your interests — from political ethics and philosophy of law to global justice and conflict studies.
Focus areas (in a string):
“Political philosophy, ethics, justice and rights, governance, human rights, political institutions, public policy, global justice”
Learning outcomes (in a string):
“You’ll graduate with the ability to think critically about complex political and ethical issues, analyse arguments with precision, conduct independent research, and apply philosophical reasoning to real-world policy challenges.”
Professional alignment (accreditation):
While the degree doesn’t carry a specific external accreditation, its interdisciplinary structure is closely aligned with the needs of employers across public policy, government, NGOs, education, journalism, and research sectors — preparing you for diverse career paths or further academic study.
Reputation (employability rankings):
Swansea is ranked among the Top 250 universities in the world for Politics (QS World University Rankings by Subject).
The university is in the UK Top 40 overall (Complete University Guide 2025).
Graduates of politics-related degrees at Swansea report strong career prospects and high employment rates within 15 months of graduation.
At Swansea, studying Philosophy & Politics is much more than reading books and writing essays — it’s an interactive and engaging experience that helps you think deeply, debate confidently, and research independently. You’ll learn in small, discussion-based seminars where your ideas are challenged and refined, work closely with leading academics on real-world issues, and develop practical skills that employers look for — from public speaking and critical analysis to independent research and project management.
Here’s how Swansea makes your learning hands-on and career-ready:
Collaborative Debates & Group Projects – Many classes go beyond lectures, involving structured debates, presentations, and teamwork projects where you’ll learn how to defend arguments, negotiate perspectives, and communicate complex ideas clearly.
Independent Research & Dissertation – In your final year, you’ll design and complete your own research project or dissertation, giving you first-hand experience of managing a major piece of work from start to finish — a skill highly valued in graduate jobs and postgraduate study.
Guest Lectures & Networking Events – Regular talks by political leaders, philosophers, and industry professionals expose you to real-world perspectives and expand your professional network.
Specialist Libraries & Digital Resources – You’ll have access to Swansea’s extensive political and philosophical archives, online databases, and digital resources — all designed to support your coursework, research, and dissertation.
Active Research Community – Through the Philosophy Research Group and departmental events, you can engage with cutting-edge work in ethics, political theory, and contemporary thought, connecting classroom ideas with current global debates.
Dedicated Study Spaces & Student Hubs – Purpose-built study zones and collaborative spaces give you a comfortable environment to work with peers, prepare for presentations, and develop your ideas.
A degree in Philosophy & Politics from Swansea is more than an academic qualification — it’s a launchpad into a wide range of careers where analytical thinking, ethical reasoning, and political insight are in high demand. You’ll graduate with the skills to understand complex social issues, influence decision-making, and communicate ideas clearly — all of which employers in government, business, media, and non-profit sectors value highly.
Typical career paths for graduates include:
Policy Advisor / Political Analyst – working with governments, think tanks, or NGOs to shape policy decisions.
Ethics and Governance Specialist – advising organisations on ethical frameworks and responsible decision-making.
Political Journalist / Media Correspondent – interpreting and communicating political developments to the public.
Public Affairs or Communications Manager – leading messaging and advocacy for public bodies, charities, or corporations.
Swansea actively supports you in turning your degree into a successful career:
Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) – offers one-to-one career coaching, CV and interview workshops, internship guidance, and employer networking events to help you plan your career from the start.
Faculty Employability Hub – the School of Social Sciences has a dedicated team helping you secure work placements, internships, and graduate roles tailored to your interests.
Work experience opportunities – Swansea ranks 11th in the UK for student work experience (RateMyPlacement 2024–25), giving you access to meaningful hands-on experiences that strengthen your CV.
Strong employment outcomes – around 90% of graduates from politics-related courses are employed or in further study within 15 months of graduating.
Competitive salaries – graduates typically earn £26,000 within 15 months, with earnings rising as they advance in their careers.
Global reputation and recognition – Swansea is ranked among the Top 40 UK universities (Complete University Guide 2025) and its graduates are known for strong analytical and communication skills.
Further Academic Progression:
Many students choose to continue their academic journey with postgraduate study. Popular options include master’s degrees in Political Philosophy, Public Policy, International Relations, Ethics & Governance, or Political Communication. Others go on to complete a PhD, pursuing advanced research in areas like democracy studies, justice and rights, or political theory — leading to careers in academia, policy research, or high-level advisory roles.
A Levels BBB-BCCInternational Baccalaureate 32 pointsIndian Curriculum XII Certificate / Standard XII / HSC / Year 12 certificate From Central & State Boards Overall score: 70% American Curriculum ACT Overall score: 24 AP Complete x3 AP exams, with an overall score of 4, 3, 3. SAT 570 in Mathematics and 610 in Reading & Writing. GPA2.7 – 3.2IELTS (Academic): overall 6.0, with no component (listening, reading, writing, speaking) below 5.5TOEFL Overall Score 79, Listening 19, Reading 20, Speaking 22, Writing 20. 4 Year Full Time With a Year in Industry4 Year Full Time With a Year AbroadPolicy Advisor / Political Analyst Public Affairs / Communications Officer Civil Service / Government Role Education / Teaching Professional Journalism / Media Correspondent
Embark on your educational journey with confidence! Our team of admission experts is here to guide you through the process. Book a free session now to receive personalized advice, assistance with applications, and insights into your dream school. Whether you're applying to college, graduate school, or specialized programs, we're here to help you succeed.
Swansea University
