(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Political Theory and Public Policy (Including Placement Year)
Withdrawn
University of Essex
University of Essex
Government
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Politics and International Relations
BA 7L30
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A-levels: ABB
BTEC: DDD, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
IB: 32 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Access to HE Diploma:15 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
T-levels: Distinction, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College here.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
- Applied Quantitative Methods: In order to be eligible for the AQM qualifier, you must successfully complete the following modules:
Year Two:
GV207-5-AU (15 credits) – ‘Political Analysis: Introduction to OLS’ (must also achieve a mark of 70 to be awarded the qualifier)
And at least one of the following:
GV205-5-SP (15 credits) – ‘Measuring Public Opinion’
GV217-5-SP (15 credits) – ‘Conflict Analysis’
SC208-5-SP (15 credits) – ‘Crime and Inequality Across the Life Course’
Final year:
GV300-6-FY (30 credits) – ‘Quantitative Political Analysis’
GV840-6-FY (30 credits) – 'Project:Politics' (must include sufficient quantitative methods as agreed by your Academic Supervisor, and multivariat regression analysis must be undertaken)
[Note: GV840-6-FY can be substituted with either of the other final year project modules: GV831-6-FY, GV831-6-FY, GV836-6-FY, EC831-6-FY, GV834-6-FY, or GV830-6-FY]
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To acquire good knowledge of the conceptual foundations of politics and be familiar with key aspects of the history of political thought.
To introduce students to important debates in political theory and public policy.
To ensure students are well-grounded in the concepts and principles that underpin public policy, and public life more generally.
To develop an awareness of the way language, rhetoric, and ideology influence the character of public institutions and discourses.
To show how ethical and normative considerations can be integrated into our understandings and analyses of public life.
To help students build a strong foundation in a range of theoretical approaches.
To develop a capacity for independent study and research in the area of political theory and public policy.
To provide the student with the opportunity to apply their academic learning outcomes in a work-related context.
To enable students to develop essential work-based skills throughout the placement.
To provide students with the opportunity to analyse their practical work in a theoretical context.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: knowledge of the conceptual foundations of politics and be familiar with key aspects of the history of political thought.
A2: Know how to tackle a research problem, and familiarity with relevant methods.
A3: Good grounding in debates, concepts, and principles that underpin public policy and public life more generally.
A4: An awareness of the way language, rhetoric, and ideology influence the character of public institutions and discourses.
A5: Know how ethical and normative considerations can be integrated into our understandings and analyses of public life.
A101: An experience-based understanding of work roles.
Learning methods
Lectures, participation in discussion and debate, and presentations in seminars and classes, reflective essays and other projects, independently produced assignments, oral and written feedback on essays and other assignments.
A1 specifically in GV150-4-SP (Politics and Power); but other options too.
A2 specifically in GV110-4-AU (Scientific Reasoning for the Social Sciences), as well as options.
A3 specifically in GV250-5-AU (Principles of Social Justice), GV253-5-AU (Analysing Policy Discourse), and GV254-5-SP (Ethics and Public Policy), as well as options.
A4 specifically in GV252-5-AU (Discourse, Rhetoric and Power), but also options such as GV253-5-AU (Analysing Political Discourse).
A5 specifically in GV250-5-AU (Principles of Social Justice), GV253-5-AU (Analysing Policy Discourse), and GV254-5-SP (Ethics and Public Policy), as well as options.
Assessment methods
Modules assessed through presentations, written assignments, essays, projects, and such like, and/or closed examinations.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: To question received thinking.
B2: To develop independent thinking
B3: To muster evidence
B4: To evaluate and analyse evidence
B5: To reason critically.
B6: To argue coherently and concisely
B7: To communicate ideas effectively in writing
B8: To carry out independent research
B101: A capacity to connect subject-specific theory to practice in a work environment.
Learning methods
Lectures, participation in discussion and debate, and presentations in seminars and classes, reflective essays and other projects, independently produced assignments, oral and written feedback on essays and other assignments, individual interviews and group sessions with Study Skills Officer.
Assessment methods
Presentations, written assignments, essays, projects, exams.
C: Practical skills
C1: Organise and structure an extended argument
C2: Use concepts correctly
C3: Compile systematic bibliographies.
C4: Provide references according to accepted conventions.
C5: Use libraries and IT to access information and scholarly resources
C6: Sift and synthesise complex information
C7: Conducting oneself in a scholarly and professional manner
C101: The ability to communicate with a range of colleagues and clients in a working environment.
Learning methods
C1-7. Lectures, participation in discussion and debate, and presentations in seminars and classes, reflective essays and other projects, independently produced assignments, oral and written feedback on essays and other assignments.
C5 specifically in induction sessions for library use.
Assessment methods
C1-7. Written assignments and essays, closed examinations, supervised research paper.
C1 especially in research paper.
C3-6 specifically in essays and research paper.
C2 essays, examinations, and research papers.
D: Key skills
D1: Clear, focused, relevant and effective expression and communication.
D2: Access and organise information from a variety of electronic sources
D3: Understand the use of evidence in argument.
D4: To manage projects and timetables. To find, understand and organise information. To work with ideas.
D5: Discuss and debate issues with fellow members of classes and seminars, or work on joint assignments or projects
D6: To develop positive responses to feedback and criticism.
D101: The capacity to work in a team within a work environment.
D102: Improved personal professional practice through a reflective approach within a work environment.
Learning methods
D1-5. Participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, written assignments and essays, research papers.
D4 specifically in scheduling and balancing requirements for modules taught in parallel.
D6 specifically in individual guidance on essays, oral and written feedback on essays.
Assessment methods
D1-5. Classroom discussion, written assignments and essays, examinations, research papers
D6 classroom presentations, written assignments and essays.