BA (Hons) Politics

Studying Politics at Liverpool isn’t just about lectures and reading theory – it’s about getting hands-on experience with how politics really works. From your very first year you’ll be learning practical research skills, analysing real political data, and presenting your findings in different formats. Small seminars mean you’ll get personal feedback and learn how to debate, defend, and challenge ideas just like professional policymakers do. You’ll also be taught in a faculty packed with resources: modern media rooms for recording podcasts and video projects, specialist labs for research, and one of the best university libraries in the UK.

And the course builds in opportunities to take your learning outside the classroom too:

• Parliamentary Placement Scheme – in your final year you can apply for a placement that puts you directly into the world of UK politics, shadowing MPs or working in political offices.

• Work placement year – some students choose to spend an entire year working in a relevant organisation, adding real experience to their degree.

• Research-driven modules – early on you’ll take “Skills and Methods” where you get hands-on training in political research, while later modules let you apply this in case studies, simulations, and crisis analysis.

• Creative assessments – not everything is an essay; you might prepare a group presentation, record a podcast, or even produce media content to communicate your ideas.

• Study abroad – you can choose to spend a year overseas, or even study in China at Liverpool’s partner university, giving you a global view of politics.

• Research centres and events – the department runs regular talks, seminars, and workshops where you can engage with leading researchers and policy experts.

• Facilities – you’ll have access to digital media rooms, seminar and computer labs for data analysis, as well as museums and collections across campus that enrich your learning.

All of these opportunities mean you’ll graduate not only with knowledge, but with the confidence and skills to apply it in the real world.

A Politics degree from Liverpool opens doors to a wide range of careers where your ability to analyse, argue, and communicate is highly valued. Many graduates step into roles in government, public policy, media, NGOs, or the private sector. Typical jobs include policy advisor, political researcher, communications or PR specialist, and analyst in think tanks or international organisations.

And you won’t be navigating the job market alone – the University gives you strong, practical support:

• Dedicated careers support – The Careers & Employability team and the student-run Career Studio are there to coach you on CVs, interviews, and job searches, while employer events and workshops help you connect directly with recruiters.

• Positive graduate outcomes – Around 80% of Politics graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, with average starting salaries of about £24,500 and rising steadily after a few years.

• Employer links – Graduates have gone on to work with organisations like PwC, The National Trust, The Independent, Dell, and The British Council, showing how versatile your skills are.

• Long-term credibility – As a Russell Group university, Liverpool’s Politics degree carries weight with employers and postgraduate institutions, proving you’ve trained in a rigorous, research-driven environment.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to continue your studies, you can pursue a Master’s in areas like International Relations, Public Policy, or Political Theory. Many students also choose to progress into research degrees (MPhil or PhD), while others pick up specialist skills in data analysis or digital communications to boost career opportunities.