(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Politics (Including Placement Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Government
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Politics and International Relations
BA L203
08/06/2026
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- IB: 29 points in the IB Diploma or 112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects.
- We accept A-levels, AAQs, BTECs, Access to HE Diploma, T-levels and most other qualifications that hold UCAS tariff points. Acceptability of some non A-level qualifications (such as BTECs) may depend on the subject studied and units taken.
You can calculate your UCAS tariff points on the UCAS website.
Whilst International A-levels and BTECs aren't on the UCAS tariff calculator, we assign them the same tariff points as their UK counterparts.
More information about our requirements and how to apply is on our undergraduate application information page
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. We make Contextual Offers, of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent) below our standard conditional offer, to applicants from underrepresented groups residing in the UK. Our Contextual Offers policy outlines the full eligibility criteria.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in an equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
Pre-sessional English courses
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 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
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).
- Justice and Human Rights: The qualifier requires a total of 90 credits, including the final year project. In second and third years, students select 60 credits from the chosen qualifier list, with a minimum of 30 credits in second year/level 5.
The final year project, based on a topic relevant to the student’s chosen qualifier, accounts for the remaining 30 credits, bringing the total to 90.
- Applied Data Science: In order to be eligible for the qualifier, you must successfully complete the following modules: Year Two: GV207 (15 credits) ‘Quantitative Political Analysis’ And at least one of the following: GV223 (15 credits) – ‘Methods of Social Data Science’, SC202 (15 credits) - ‘Researching the Real World: Quantitative Approaches to Studying Crime and Society’, SC207 (15 credits) - ‘Introduction to Social Data Science’, SC208 (15 credits) - ‘Quantitative Research: Crime and Inequality Across the Life Course’, SC290 (15 credits) - ‘Social Data Science: Uncover, Understand, Unleash’. Final year: GV300 (30 credits) - ‘Advanced Quantitative Political Analysis’ GV840 (30 credits) - 'Portfolio: Politics' (must include sufficient quantitative methods as agreed by your Academic Supervisor, and multivariate regression analysis must be undertaken) [Note: GV840 can be substituted with either of the other final year project modules: GV831, GV836, EC831, or GV830]
- Political Economy and Development: The qualifier requires a total of 90 credits, including the final year project. In second and third years, students select 60 credits from the chosen qualifier list, with a minimum of 30 credits in second year/level 5.
The final year project, based on a topic relevant to the student’s chosen qualifier, accounts for the remaining 30 credits, bringing the total to 90.
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
Dr Andrew Thomson
Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies
Queen's University Belfast
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 develop students' knowledge and understanding of the major theoretical and conceptual foundations of the discipline of political science, and of quantitative methods for studying politics.
To offer students, through a wide range of option choices, a varied menu of sub-disciplinary and area-oriented specialisms in order both to provide students with opportunities to develop an empirical base for the study of politics in different contexts and to broaden their theoretical perspectives.
To provide the opportunity for students to learn about political systems, political behaviour and political ideas.
To maintain an intellectual environment that is exciting and challenging, fostering students' capacities for creative study and dialogue and maintaining high standards of teaching and learning.
To develop and promote students' skills and capacities to analyse politics, undertake subsequent academic study and for employment, personal development and social participation.
- The aims of the Placement Year are:
- 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
A101: An experience-based understanding of work roles.
Learning methods
A1-A5 are addressed in lectures, participation in seminars and classes and written comments on essays.
A3 is additionally addressed in optional choices in years 2 and 3 and/or in projects.
Assessment methods
The assessment of most full-year modules is normally based equally on course work and on a written examination, each counting for 50 per cent of the final mark.
An average course work load consists of three essays per modules or equivalent.
Class tests are used to assess A4.
The Project counts as a separate module and is assessed on its own merits.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B101: A capacity to connect subject-specific theory to practice in a work environment.
Learning methods
These skills are developed in:-
(a) Seminars and classes
(b) class presentations
(c) written comments on essays.
Individual guidance is available for the writing of essays and the construction of presentations.
Opportunities exist to consult a Study Skills Officer.
Assessment methods
Essays and written examinations.
C: Practical skills
C101: The ability to communicate with a range of colleagues and clients in a working environment.
Learning methods
This range of practical skills (C1-C4) is taught in seminars and developed through tutors’ comments on essays, and in supervision of written work.
Assessment methods
Essays, projects and examinations are assessed for these skills.
D: Key skills
D1: Clear, focused, relevant and effective expression and communication.
D2: Access/organise information from electronic sources
D3: Understand use of evidence in an argument.
D4: To manage projects and timetables.
D5: Collaborating with others
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 are employed in assessed work.
D1-6 are employed in seminars, classes and 1:1 discussions with class teachers and supervisors.
Assessment methods
Essays and projects are assessed for qualities that implicitly incorporate all these skills.