BA Politics

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Lincoln

Program Overview

If you’ve ever wondered why governments make certain decisions, how global conflicts unfold, or what really drives political change, Lincoln’s Politics degree gives you the space to explore those questions in depth. It’s designed for students who want to understand the world around them, challenge ideas, and develop the skills needed for careers in government, policy, international organisations, or research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Your first year introduces you to the foundations of political life. Through modules such as People, Power and Politics, Who Runs Britain?, and Comparative Politics in the 21st Century, you’ll explore how political systems operate in the United Kingdom and across the world. You’ll also develop essential academic skills through Skills for Social and Political Sciences, helping you confidently analyse, debate, and write about political events.

Year 2

In your second year, you begin building a deeper understanding of political ideas, institutions, and research. Modules like Political Parties, Thinking Politics, and Researching in Social & Political Sciences help you examine the role of political thought, understand how political institutions work, and learn how political scientists conduct real research. You can also choose specialist modules such as Governing America, Foreign Policy Analysis, or Migration and Borders in the UK and Europe, allowing you to explore areas that genuinely interest you.

Year 3

Your final year is where everything comes together. You’ll work on an independent research project through Independent Study (Social Science) and study advanced modules like Parliamentary Studies and Politics and its Discontents. This is your chance to dive into the issues you care most about—whether that’s global security, political leadership, or democratic challenges—and produce work that feels professionally meaningful. You’ll also have the flexibility to tailor your final-year experience with optional modules and placements.

Focus Areas

“Comparative politics; political theory; political institutions; global issues including migration, security, gender and inequality; policy analysis; qualitative and quantitative research.”

Learning Outcomes

“Develop strong analytical thinking, independent research skills, policy-writing ability, effective communication, and a deep understanding of political systems, behaviours, and global challenges.”

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is designed around the skills needed for roles in government, public policy, advocacy, and research, and benefits from Lincoln’s established links with the UK Parliament, local government bodies, and external practitioners.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Politics graduates from Lincoln progress into central and local government, policy development, political research, journalism, lobbying, think-tanks, and charitable organisations. The university highlights strong graduate outcomes in social sciences and a growing reputation for practical political engagement.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the best things about studying Politics at Lincoln is how much of the world you actually get to experience beyond the classroom. Instead of only reading about how governments work, you’ll visit the places where decisions are made, meet the people who shape policy, and use digital tools to analyse real political debates. The programme is designed to help you grow your confidence, sharpen your communication skills, and see politics from multiple angles — local, national, and international.

To give you a sense of what your learning will look like day-to-day, here are some of the standout hands-on opportunities built into the degree:

Visits to the UK Parliament, where you can see government in action and understand how debates, committees, and parliamentary processes work in real time.
The Parliamentary Studies module, co-taught with actual UK Parliament staff, gives you a rare opportunity to learn directly from people who work inside the system every day.
Media-rich teaching, including weekly screenings of documentaries, political films, or news analysis, plus the use of blogs and platforms like “X” for real-time political discussion.
Study abroad options, where you can spend part of your degree in another country and explore international politics from a global perspective.
Placement and internship support, with guidance from the Careers and Employability team and access to opportunities through CareerLinc — ideal if you want experience in government, policy, research, or campaigning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Politics degree from Lincoln opens doors to a wide range of exciting careers, because you finish the programme with strong analytical skills, confidence in communication, and a deep understanding of how decisions are made in the real world. Many graduates move into roles such as Policy Officer, Public Affairs Consultant, Political Risk Analyst, or Research Associate in think tanks. The degree is broad enough to give you choice, but focused enough to give you a clear professional identity.

To support you in building that future, Lincoln offers a strong ecosystem of guidance and employability resources:

You’ll have access to the Careers and Employability team, where you can get one-to-one advice, attend employer networking events, and secure internships or part-time roles in politics-related fields.
According to national data, around 90 percent of Politics graduates from Lincoln are in work or further study within fifteen months, with average earnings of around £28,500 — a strong indicator of career traction.
Modules such as Professional and Employability Engagement in Politics bring in external speakers and give you a chance to practise real workplace skills, from political communication to project planning.
Because the programme develops widely transferable skills — research, public speaking, data interpretation, policy writing — it has long-term value whether you choose a role in government, NGOs, media, or international organisations.

Further Academic Progression:

If you’re interested in continuing your studies, this degree sets you up perfectly for a Master’s in Public Policy, Master’s in International Relations, political communication, diplomacy, or even a PhD in Political Science. Lincoln’s strong academic foundation means you’ll be ready to take on postgraduate work with confidence.