Politics (Placement Year) BA Hons

At Lancaster, your Politics degree is designed to move far beyond lectures and essays — it’s about learning by doing. From the very beginning, you’ll be encouraged to test ideas in real political settings, practice the skills used by policymakers, and build a CV that shows real experience. With a placement year built into the course, you’ll graduate not only with academic knowledge but also with the kind of professional confidence employers notice right away.

Here are some of the practical opportunities you’ll benefit from:

• Placement Year – You’ll spend your third year in a full-time placement with a government department, NGO, think tank, or private organisation, applying your learning in real workplace settings and gaining invaluable professional contacts.

• Policy Labs and Simulations – Take part in activities like mock select committees, citizens’ assemblies, and Prime Minister’s Questions sessions, where you’ll step into the shoes of politicians and advisors.

• Parliamentary Studies Module – Delivered in partnership with the UK Parliament and the Institute for Government, this gives you direct access to MPs, parliamentary officials, and policy experts.

• Research Internships – Through the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies, you can work on live projects with NGOs, charities, and policy organisations, sometimes even seeing your research published.

• Final-Year Dissertation – Undertake an independent research project on a political issue that matters to you, with close guidance from Lancaster’s expert academics.

• Guest Lectures & Visits – Meet Ambassadors, policymakers, and senior advisors through special talks, and take part in visits to key political institutions.

• Digital Tools & Resources – Access Lancaster’s extensive library collections, political science databases, and IT support, ensuring you have the tools you need to explore issues in depth.

• Supportive College System – Lancaster’s collegiate structure means you’ll be part of a close community, with extra opportunities for engagement and growth beyond the classroom.

By combining these experiences with your core modules, you’ll leave Lancaster with the ability to analyse politics critically, influence debates, and contribute confidently to the world of policy and governance.

Graduating with Politics from Lancaster gives you more than just a degree — it gives you a real head start. Because you’ll have a full year of professional placement experience behind you, you’ll stand out when applying for jobs in government, consultancy, or the non-profit sector. Many graduates go straight into roles such as policy adviser, civil servant, public affairs consultant, or political risk analyst, while others branch out into journalism, diplomacy, or international organisations.

Here’s how Lancaster helps you take that next step with confidence:

• Careers & Placement Support – From your very first year, Lancaster’s Careers and Placements Team is on hand with CV clinics, interview workshops, and tailored guidance. They also support you throughout your placement search, meaning you graduate with both experience and a professional network.

• Employment Success & Salaries – Around 83% of Lancaster Politics graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, and average salaries are about £26,500, with many earning over £30,000 soon after graduating.

• Professional Links – Through initiatives like the Richardson Institute internships and the Parliamentary Studies module, you’ll work directly with NGOs, think tanks, and even the UK Parliament, building contacts that often lead to job offers.

• Employer Reputation – Lancaster is consistently ranked among the top 30 UK universities most targeted by graduate employers, so your CV carries real weight.

• Long-Term Value – The placement year means you’ll finish with proven workplace experience, giving you an edge in highly skilled fields across politics, public service, and consultancy.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to keep exploring politics at a deeper level, Lancaster offers a range of master’s degrees in areas such as International Relations, Public Policy, and Conflict Studies. Many graduates also go on to doctoral research, combining academic study with policy work or consultancy — keeping the door open to both academic and professional futures.