BA Hons Politics

At Queen Mary, studying Politics isn’t just about reading theories—it’s about living them. You’ll get to practice the skills of a real political analyst through debates, simulations, group projects, and research training. And since you’ll be based in London, you’ll be right next to Parliament, think tanks, NGOs, and embassies—so the classroom and the city work hand in hand.

Here’s how you’ll learn by doing:

• Parliamentary and Civil Society Internships – In your final year, you can spend two days a week working either in Parliament or with a civil society organisation in London. It’s a direct chance to see how political offices and NGOs really operate.

• Debates and Role-Play – Many classes include simulations and role-play activities that put you in the shoes of policymakers, campaigners, or negotiators, helping you sharpen your problem-solving and communication skills.

• Research Methods Training – You’ll actually use both qualitative and quantitative methods—whether that’s interviews, surveys, or data analysis—so you graduate with practical research skills that employers value.

• Independent Dissertation – In your final year, you’ll carry out your own research project on a political issue you care about most, guided by academic experts.

• Year Abroad Option – If you choose the Year Abroad track, you’ll spend a year at a partner university in Europe, North America, Asia, or Australia, gaining international experience and a global outlook.

• Mile End Institute & Public Events – You’ll join debates, book launches, and talks by high-profile speakers, giving you a direct line to policymakers and practitioners.

• Specialist Research Centres – The Centre for European Research and other institutes connect you with cutting-edge work on global and regional politics.

Your Politics degree here will feel less like “studying from a textbook” and more like stepping straight into the world of politics, gaining experiences that make you career-ready from day one.

Studying Politics at Queen Mary opens the door to a wide range of careers. Most of our graduates move quickly into meaningful roles—over 80% are working or continuing their studies within just 15 months, with an average starting salary of around £30,500. Many go into jobs in government, policy research, journalism, consultancy, and education, using the strong analytical and communication skills developed during the degree.

To help you get there, Queen Mary offers a lot of practical support and opportunities:

• A dedicated Politics Careers Liaison Tutor to guide you with CVs, applications, and interview prep.

• Access to the Careers & Enterprise team (even up to 2 years after graduation) for internships, mentoring, and job search support.

• The Aspire programme, which offers short micro-internships, consultancy projects, and enterprise bootcamps, aims to give you hands-on experience.

• Direct connections with employers—our graduates have gone on to work with organisations like the House of Commons, UK Home Office, PwC, and leading NGOs.

• The Mile End Institute, right on campus, brings politicians, journalists, and policymakers into your lectures and events, helping you network while you study.

Being in London gives you an extra edge: you’ll be close to Westminster, Whitehall, and a range of think tanks, charities, and global businesses.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue studying, Queen Mary offers a range of postgraduate options in International Relations, Public Policy, Political Theory, and Comparative Politics. Many students also go on to postgraduate study in areas like law, public administration, or business. For those considering research, Queen Mary also offers pathways to PhD funding through the ESRC.