Politics BA

Studying Politics at Durham goes far beyond the lecture hall. You’ll learn how to research, debate, and analyse complex political issues while developing the skills that employers truly value — critical thinking, teamwork, and independent project management. The School of Government and International Affairs gives you opportunities to put theory into practice, whether through research projects, international study, or professional work placements.

Here’s how you’ll gain real-world experience as part of your degree:

• Placement Year Option – Switch to the Politics with Placement Year pathway and spend a year working in a professional political, governmental, or NGO role in the UK or overseas.

• Year Abroad – Study for a year at a partner university around the world, experiencing politics in a different culture and context first-hand.

• Research Projects – From second year onwards, you’ll take on independent research, building up to a final-year dissertation where you explore a political topic of your own choice in real depth.

• Small Group Seminars & Team Projects – Many modules are taught in interactive seminars and workshops, where you’ll debate ideas, present arguments, and sometimes work on group projects with classmates.

• Guest Lectures & Research Centres – Engage with visiting experts, diplomats, and academics through Durham’s research institutes, and see how political theory connects with real-world policy challenges.

• Global Internships – Take advantage of summer internship opportunities arranged by Durham to work with international organisations, charities, or think tanks.

• World-class Resources – Access Durham’s libraries, archives, and digital databases — from parliamentary papers to global political datasets — to support your studies with primary sources and advanced research tools.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have more than just academic knowledge: you’ll have built a portfolio of experiences that prepare you for careers in government, policy, law, journalism, and beyond.

A Politics degree from Durham opens doors across government, diplomacy, media, and beyond. Graduates step into roles where they can shape policy, influence international relations, or lead in public affairs. Typical destinations include becoming a policy analyst, civil service fast-streamer, journalist or media specialist, or even working abroad as a diplomatic or political officer. Employers value Durham graduates for their critical thinking, research, and communication skills — all highly transferable to a wide range of careers.

And the best part is that Durham actively prepares you for this next step:

• Specialist career support – you’ll benefit from tailored careers events for Politics students, including networking with visiting speakers from government, NGOs, and the media. Alumni also return to mentor students, especially for highly competitive schemes like the Civil Service Fast Stream.

• Impressive outcomes – 88% of Politics graduates were in work or further study within 15 months of finishing, and 96% of those employed were in skilled professions. The average salary is around £32,425, reflecting strong earning potential.

• Real-world connections – through guest lectures, research links, and optional placement or year abroad opportunities, you’ll build valuable networks with employers in government, NGOs, and international organisations.

• Reputation that lasts – Durham ranks among the top universities for Politics in the UK, and its graduates have gone on to senior positions such as Chief Operating Officer of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Head of Defence Inquests at the Ministry of Defence, and Political Officer at the British Embassy in Mogadishu.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies, you’ll have a solid foundation for a Master’s in Politics, International Relations, Public Policy, or Diplomacy. Research pathways like an MRes or PhD are also open to you, and the degree provides excellent preparation for interdisciplinary postgraduate study in areas like law, sociology, or economics.