
BA Anthropology and Political Science enables you to build a degree programme that suits your interests.
Studying Anthropology will enable you to develop a distinctive set of skills and attributes. You will learn how to search for, select from and evaluate sources of information, weigh up arguments, and present your findings effectively. As an anthropologist however, you will also become sensitive to the assumptions and beliefs that underlie behaviour in a range of social and cultural contexts, and this gives you a critical edge.
A knowledge of politics helps you to understand what governments do, shedding light on how some of history’s pivotal events were motivated by the political leaders of the day. You learn to find your way among different arguments, rival theories and alternative explanations and about campaigns, elections, protest movements, policy issues and political ideals. It also teaches you a great deal about human nature. Politics is not only what political scientists study, but also an activity in which professional politicians, civil servants and ordinary citizens take part.
The first year gives you a thorough grounding of Anthropology and Political Science to assist you in choosing from a wide range of modules in the second and final year.
Why Study this Course?
- Excellent reputation – We are ranked 3rd for Anthropology in the Guardian University Guide 2020.
- Outstanding employability – 90% of our Politics students enter work or further study within six months of graduation (DLHE 2017).
- Taught by experts – The staff who teach Anthropology at Newcatle are based in the School of History and Cultures, in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology. These members of staff have lived and taught in countries beyond Western Europe, and have a range of language skills acquired through intensive ethnographic field work. As part of a small cohort of students, you will benefit from being taught by practising anthropologists and learning about their research experiences.
- Enhancing your student experience – In the Department of Political Science and International Studies, as well as benefiting from our world-leading expertise, you’ll also get the chance to take part in a range of in-house activities that vary by year and are designed to complement your curriculum and enrich your time at Newcastle.
- Strong student experience – You will benefit from an intellectually challenging and stimulating environment for your undergraduate studies, focused on ensuring you are a fully supported and active learner. Our unique degrees are designed to provide both academic excellence and vocational development; a balance that’s highly sought after by employers in today’s intellectual and creative industries.
Institutional Accreditation
University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.
BA Anthropology and Political Science
Course Level:
- Undergraduate, Joint Honours combined
Credits
120
Course
CODE U407
How long it takes:
Undergraduate (3 Year)
Study Mode:
Distance learning/ Campus
Course cost
Price: US$20,220
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Department:
Newcastle Law School
Joint Honours flexibility
Every degree programme at the University is divided into 120 credits of study for each year of the programme. In the first year of a Joint Honours programme, you will study 60 credits in each subject as you learn the core elements of the disciplines. We recognise that students on Joint Honours programmes might come to favour one subject slightly more than another. To account for this, we have added more flexibility into the second and final years of our programmes. In the second year, you can stick with the 60-60 split between the two subjects or shift to a 80-40 credit weighting, effectively a major/ minor combination. You can either go back to 60-60 in the final year, maintain the same 80-40 split or reverse the major and the minor and go to a 40-80 weighting.
First year
Anthropology compulsory modules
- Studying Societies (Anthropology) (10 credits)
- Anthropology and its Regions (10 credits)
- Thinking Anthropologically (20 credits)
- Anthropology of Africa (20 credits)
Political Science compulsory modules
- Understanding Politics (20 credits)
- Research Skills and Literacy: Philosophy and Methods (20 credits)
Optional module
- one optional Political Science module (20 credits)
Second year
Anthropology
- 80 credits – Theory and Ethnography; Research in Practice; optional modules
- 60 credits – Theory and Ethnography; Research in Practice; optional module
- 40 credits – Theory and Ethnography; Research in Practice
Political Science
- 80 credits – Analysing Political Worlds; optional modules
- 60 credits – Analysing Political Worlds; optional modules
- 40 credits – Analysing Political Worlds; optional module
Year abroad
You can apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world. If you achieve a grade of 2.1 or above in your first year then you will be invited to apply for a Year Abroad in your second year. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year.
Final year
Anthropology
- 80 credits – Dissertation; optional modules
- 60 credits – Dissertation; optional module
- 40 credits – optional modules
sPolitical Science
There are no final year compulsory modules for Political Science; optional modules are studied.
- 80 credits – either Political Science Dissertation (40 credits) and choose two from optional modules; or Problems in World History (20 credits) and choose three from optional modules; or neither and choose four from optional modules
- 60 credits – either Political Science Dissertation (40 credits) and choose one from optional modules; or Problems in World History (20 credits) and choose two from optional modules; or neither and choose three from optional modules
- 40 credits – either Political Science Dissertation (40 credits); or Problems in World History (20 credits) and choose one from optional modules; or neither and choose three from optional modules
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally have one of the following:
- A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a UK university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
- A ‘stale’ law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, or
- An academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level
If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.
If you intend to become a Solicitor
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reduced its requirements for pre-authorisation this year. For details of the current arrangements, see the SRA website. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section. If you think you may have a character or suitability issue, you may wish to clarify with the SRA before proceeding with the GDL.
See further details of our English Language requirement
USA,UK & EU students, 2019/20 (per year)
£8,500
International students starting 2019/20 (per year)
£13,100
Assessment
You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.
All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.
Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Newcastle degree, our Careers and Employability Service can help you achieve your goal.
Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CV’s and job applications will help give you the edge.
If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.
Developing your career
Employers target University of Newcastle students for their diverse skill-set and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. If you make the most of our wide range of opportunities you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.
- Careers events – we hold events covering careers in teaching, event management, marketing and working with charities to help you meet potential employers and learn more about these sectors.
- Global Challenge – you can apply to work overseas on an expenses-paid placement during your summer vacation through our Global Challenge initiative.
- Work experience bursary – we encourage you to apply your skills in the workplace by undertaking internships in the summer. Our work experience bursaries allow you to apply for funding to support you during unpaid internships.
- Cultural Internships – our innovative Cultural Internships offer graduates the opportunity for a six month paid internship at a leading cultural institution in the West Midlands. These internships will give you professional experience to set you apart in a competitive graduate market. Our current partners include Newcastle Museums and Art Gallery, Newcastle REP, Newcastle Royal Ballet, City of Newcastle Symphony Orchestra, Iron bridge Gorge Museums Trust, Library of Newcatle.
There are also internships available at our own cultural assets, such as Winterbourne House, the Lapworth Museum, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts.