Politics with Philosophy BA

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Royal Holloway University of London

Program Overview

If you’re the kind of student who loves debating real-world political issues but also enjoys questioning how we think, what’s right or wrong, and how we know what we know—this course is made for you. Royal Holloway’s BA Politics with Philosophy blends 75% politics and 25% philosophy, giving you the best of both worlds: understanding how power and governments work while learning to think deeply and critically like a philosopher.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building the Foundation

Your first year gives you the core tools to study both politics and philosophy. Through modules like Introduction to Politics and Government, you’ll explore how power works, why ideologies like liberalism or socialism shape nations, and how institutions—parliaments, courts, governments—function.
You’ll also take Classic and Contemporary Readings in Politics and International Relations, exploring influential thinkers from Socrates to Karl Marx. In philosophy, modules such as Problems of Knowledge introduce you to questions like: What is truth? Can we ever be certain? Is knowledge personal or shared by societies?

Year 2 – Thinking Deeper

In second year, you begin connecting ideas more intellectually. Philosophy modules like Mind and World tackle big questions about human consciousness and what it means to experience the world. You’ll also study European Philosophy: Kant to Hegel, where you engage with ethics, freedom, identity and modernity.
On the politics side, you can take modules like Democracy in Britain or Contemporary Political Theory, exploring topics such as human rights, freedom of speech, protest movements and political resistance.

Year 3 – Specialisation and Independent Research

Final year is where you make the course your own. You’ll write a Politics or International Relations Dissertation, choosing a topic you genuinely care about—such as global inequality, ethics in war, social justice or free speech.
You can also pick specialist modules like European Union Public Policy, Politics in Action (a placement module), or Freedom of Expression: Concepts and Controversies, where you debate real-world legal and moral issues around censorship and social media.

Focus Areas

Political theory, democracy and power, ethics and morality, consciousness and mind, European philosophy, public policy, freedom of expression and global governance.

Learning Outcomes

By graduation, you'll know how to analyse political systems like a policymaker, argue like a philosopher, research independently, and communicate complex ideas clearly and confidently—skills that employers genuinely value.

Professional Alignment

There’s no formal accreditation, but the course is highly respected for developing analytical thinking, ethical reasoning and advanced communication skills—ideal for careers in politics, diplomacy, law, journalism, public affairs, NGOs and international organisations.

Reputation & Rankings

2nd in the UK for research in Politics and International Relations – REF 2021
11th in the UK for Politics – Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
98% of Philosophy students said staff explain things clearly – NSS 2024

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Royal Holloway, you don’t just study political theory and philosophy from textbooks — you get to see how these ideas work in the real world. From your first year, you’ll start using research tools, debating real political issues, and learning how to build strong arguments. As you move through the degree, you’ll have chances to work with organisations, contribute to real research projects, and even design your own dissertation topic with a supervisor.

To make your learning practical and career-focused, the course offers hands-on experiences such as:

“Politics in Action” Work Placement Module (Year 3):
You can spend one day a week working with an organisation such as a government office, political party, NGO, media, or policy group, and three days during reading weeks. This earns academic credit while giving you real-world political experience.
Independent Dissertation Project:
In your final year, you choose a political or philosophical question you care about, research it using real data or theory, and work one-to-one with an academic mentor to produce your dissertation.
Research & Data Skills Training (Year 1):
Through modules like Researching Politics and International Relations, you’ll learn how to use political data, evaluate sources, conduct interviews/surveys, and understand how real political research is done.
Student Societies and Real-World Exposure:
Many Politics students take part in Model United Nations, attend talks by diplomats and political speakers on campus, visit institutions like Parliament or embassies, or get involved in political campaigns and debate societies.
Exceptional Campus Resources:
You’ll study in the Emily Wilding Davison Library, which has over 600,000 books, journals, study rooms, media equipment, PC labs, and philosophy/politics collections — open daily from 8 am to midnight.
Philosophy in Practice:
Philosophy modules such as Logic and Reasoning, Mind and World, and Social and Political Philosophy help you apply philosophical thinking to ethics, policy, human rights, and global politics.
Research-Led Teaching:
The Department of Politics and International Relations is ranked among the UK’s best for research, meaning you’re learning from academics actively involved in global politics, ethics, democracy, and human rights research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Studying Politics with Philosophy at Royal Holloway opens doors to careers where people value your ability to think deeply, argue logically, and communicate clearly. Graduates from this course often go into fields like public policy, journalism, political consultancy, civil service, and even roles in major organisations and global NGOs.

Where this degree can take you:
Typical career paths include:

Policy Analyst or Political Researcher
Civil Service (UK Fast Stream, government ministries, local government)
Public Affairs or Communications Officer in NGOs, charities, or international organisations
Think-tank and research fellow roles

What helps you get there?

Royal Holloway gives students real, practical career support — not just theory:

Careers & Employability Service offers one-to-one coaching, CV reviews, mock interviews, and LinkedIn profile building.
Exclusive employer events, insight days, and internship fairs on campus — students have connected directly with the Civil Service, the BBC, NGOs, and consulting firms.
Work experience placements and summer skills programmes are built into the degree to help you apply classroom learning in real-life scenarios.
Strong alumni and industry links — graduates have gone on to work for:
- UK Ministry of Defence
- Ipsos MORI (public opinion research)
- UK Parliament (MP offices)
- Global companies like Amazon and Nestlé

Employment & Graduate Outcomes

Royal Holloway degrees are recognised globally and are part of the University of London, which boosts your CV internationally.
Politics and Philosophy graduates from Royal Holloway gain roles in government, journalism, advocacy, consulting, and international organisations.
Graduates from similar humanities and social sciences programmes see median earnings of around £27,000–£30,000 a few years after graduation.
Royal Holloway ranks in the top 25% in the UK for research quality (REF 2021) — which means what you study is trusted, relevant, and respected by employers.

Further Academic Progression:

If you choose to continue your studies after your Bachelor’s degree, you could pursue:

Master’s degrees (MA/MSc) in: International Relations, Public Policy, Political Theory, Philosophy of Mind, or Ethics.
Law conversion (PGDL/Common Professional Exam) if you're considering politics + law or international human rights.
PhD or academic research in political philosophy, ethics, public policy, or contemporary political thought.
Professional pathways like diplomatic training, civil service graduate schemes, journalism qualifications, or NGO/fellowship programmes.