Politics BA Hons

At Lancaster, Politics is brought to life through hands-on experiences that take you well beyond textbooks. You’ll step into the shoes of policymakers, parliamentarians, and analysts, gaining practical skills that prepare you for real-world challenges. From live debates to professional placements, the course is designed so that every year adds something valuable to your CV as well as your learning.

Here’s what makes the experience unique:

• Work in policy labs and case studies, tackling issues like climate change, inequality, or migration, and learn how to design and test solutions just like a real advisor.

• Take part in mock Prime Minister’s Questions, select committees, and citizens’ assemblies, giving you a taste of how politics actually works behind closed doors.

• Choose the Parliamentary Studies module to work directly with MPs, parliamentary officials, and the Institute for Government — an opportunity very few UK universities can offer.

• Join the Policy School, where you’ll collaborate with HM Government’s Open Innovation team on real policy challenges.

• Gain professional experience through the Policymaking in the Real World placement module, applying your skills in a workplace setting.

• Apply for internships through the Richardson Institute, working with NGOs, think tanks, and charities on live research projects.

• Build a portfolio of work — from policy briefs and blogs to podcasts and research reports — that you can showcase to employers.

• Train in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, from working with large datasets to conducting interviews and critical discourse analysis.

• Meet professionals through guest lectures and visits to Parliament, where you’ll hear directly from MPs, clerks, and senior policy advisors.

• Use Lancaster’s digital learning platforms, extensive library, and research centres to support your projects and independent dissertation.

A Politics degree from Lancaster gives you the skills and confidence to step into roles that really make a difference. Many graduates move into careers in government, public affairs, NGOs, or the media — using their ability to analyse, debate, and influence change. Typical jobs include becoming a policy analyst, civil servant or diplomat, campaign or political advisor, or a journalist / public affairs specialist.

And Lancaster makes sure you’re supported every step of the way:

• The Careers and Employability Service offers personalised guidance, CV workshops, mock interviews, and access to exclusive paid internships for Politics and Social Science students.

• Lancaster is among the top 30 UK universities most targeted by leading graduate employers, showing the strength of its reputation.

• Within 15 months of graduating, around 85% of Politics students are in work or further study, with average starting salaries of £26,500, and this rises steadily in the years that follow.

• You’ll have opportunities to work directly with the UK Parliament, the Institute for Government, and HM Government’s Open Innovation team through modules like Parliamentary Studies and the Policy School.

• The Richardson Institute Internship Programme places you with think tanks, NGOs, and policy organisations, giving you hands-on experience and valuable contacts.

• Guest lectures and visits from MPs, parliamentary clerks, and senior policy advisors give you direct insight into professional pathways.

Further Academic Progression:
Many students continue their journey by studying for a Master’s in Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy, or Security Studies. Others move on to PhD research if they’re considering an academic career, while some combine postgraduate study with professional training in areas such as law or public administration to widen their career options even further.