Politics BA

At Leicester, studying Politics is all about connecting theory with real-world experience. You won’t just learn how political systems work — you’ll actively engage with them through projects, debates, research, and hands-on opportunities that prepare you for a career in government, policy, media, or beyond. The course is designed to help you build essential skills like communication, teamwork, research, and critical thinking in settings that mirror the professional world.

Here’s how Leicester ensures your learning is practical, engaging, and career-focused:

• Politics in Action – Work Experience Module – In your second year, you can choose this specialist module that places you in a real political or policy environment, helping you apply your classroom learning in practice.

• Collaborative Projects & Presentations – Many modules include group work, debates, and policy briefings where you’ll sharpen your communication and negotiation skills and learn how to work effectively in teams.

• Independent Research & Dissertation – Your final year culminates in a major research project where you’ll investigate a topic you’re passionate about and showcase your analytical and writing skills.

• Year Abroad or Year in Industry – You have the option to spend a year gaining professional experience in industry or studying abroad, expanding your global perspective and boosting your employability.

• Careers & Employability Support – Leicester’s dedicated careers team helps you find internships and placements, improve your CV, and connect with employers, giving you a head start in your career.

• Guest Lectures & Expert Insights – Throughout the course, you’ll hear directly from politicians, policy experts, and guest speakers, and benefit from the department’s research networks, bringing real-world politics into the classroom.

A Politics degree from Leicester opens doors to a wide range of exciting and impactful careers. You’ll graduate with strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as a deep understanding of how political systems work — all of which are highly valued by employers in government, policy, business, media, and beyond. Whether you want to shape public policy, work in government, advise political organisations, or lead strategic communications, this degree gives you the skills and confidence to succeed.

Typical career paths for graduates include:

• Policy Advisor / Political Analyst – helping shape decisions in government departments, NGOs, or think tanks.

• Civil Servant / Government Officer – working directly on policy implementation and public service delivery.

• Public Affairs or Communications Specialist – managing campaigns, media strategy, and public messaging for organisations.

• Researcher or Consultant – analysing political trends and advising on strategy in consultancy or academic settings.

Here’s how Leicester sets you up for success:

• Careers & Employability Service – offers one-to-one career coaching, CV and interview workshops, internships, and lifetime access to the MyCareers platform connecting you with employers around the world.

• Politics in Action Module – an optional second-year module that places you in a real-world political or policy environment, giving you valuable work experience while you study.

• Unitemps Work Scheme – gain paid work experience on campus or in local organisations to build your CV during your degree.

• Strong employment outcomes – 100% of Leicester Politics graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months, earning an average of £23,500, with salaries typically rising to £26,500 after three years.

• Powerful employer links – connect with employers through career fairs, networking events, and Leicester’s partnerships with major organisations like PwC, Deloitte, and public sector bodies.

•  Recognised reputation – Leicester is ranked among the Top 30 in the UK for Politics (Guardian University Guide 2025) and holds a Gold rating in the UK Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023).

Further Academic Progression:
Many graduates choose to continue their studies with a master’s degree in Politics, International Relations, Public Policy, or Political Theory, while others go on to complete a PhD and build careers in academia, policy research, or international organisations.