Politics (BA)

At Cardiff, studying politics goes far beyond lectures and textbooks — it’s about experiencing how politics really works in the world around you. From the very start of your degree, you’ll apply what you learn through real-world projects, placements, and interactive teaching. Whether it’s working alongside parliamentary staff, getting involved with local community initiatives, or undertaking your own research project, you’ll build practical skills that employers truly value.

Here’s how Cardiff helps you put your learning into action:

• Learn directly from the experts – Several modules are co-taught by staff from the UK Parliament and feature guest lectures from politicians, civil servants, and campaigners, giving you first-hand insight into how decisions are made.

• Take part in professional placements – You’ll have opportunities to gain real-world experience with organisations involved in Welsh governance, public policy, or community development, applying your classroom knowledge in practical settings.

• Join Cardiff’s On-Campus Internship Scheme – Work up to eight weeks in paid internships on university research projects or within academic departments, helping you build your CV before you even graduate.

• Engage in simulations and group projects – Experience how political processes work through practical exercises like political simulations or collaborative community projects designed to boost democratic participation.

• Tailor your experience with a placement year – If you want to go further, you can add a professional placement year to your degree, working in government, NGOs, think tanks, or political consultancies.

• Access cutting-edge digital tools – Cardiff’s virtual learning environment supports interactive discussions, collaborative projects, and multimedia learning, helping you develop digital communication and research skills.

• Use world-class research resources – Explore Cardiff’s specialist libraries, archives, and research centres, and use them to support your dissertation or independent political research.

These opportunities mean that by the time you graduate, you’ll not only understand political theory — you’ll also know how to use it in real-world contexts.

A Politics degree from Cardiff is more than just a qualification — it’s a launchpad for an exciting and varied career. Our graduates go on to shape policy, influence change, and make a difference in society, working in roles such as policy officer, parliamentary researcher, public affairs consultant, and NGO or civil society manager. Whether you dream of working in government, international organisations, media, or the charity sector, this degree opens doors in the UK and beyond.

Here’s how Cardiff sets you up for success:

• Personalised career support – Throughout your degree, you’ll benefit from Student Futures, Cardiff’s dedicated careers service, offering one-to-one guidance, workshops on CV writing and interviews, employer networking events, and exclusive access to internships and graduate jobs.

• Excellent employment outcomes – Around 95% of Cardiff graduates are working or continuing their studies within 15 months of finishing their degree, and Politics graduates earn an average salary of about £27,000 shortly after graduation.

• Strong links with political institutions – The course has formal connections with the UK Parliament through the Parliamentary Studies scheme and close partnerships with the Welsh Senedd, giving you opportunities to engage directly with policymakers and gain valuable real-world experience.

• A degree with lasting value – Even though Politics isn’t formally accredited, Cardiff’s strong reputation, academic excellence, and close ties to government and industry make your qualification widely respected and highly valuable.

• Real-world graduate destinations – Alumni from this programme work across government departments, policy think tanks, NGOs, international organisations, media outlets, and political consultancies — many even influencing decision-making at national and global levels.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your BA, you could deepen your expertise with a master’s degree in areas like Public Policy, International Relations, Political Theory, or Development Studies. Many graduates also pursue MRes or PhD research to move into academia or policy research, while others branch into related professional fields such as law, public administration, or global governance.