The Political Science BA will not only provide you with a thorough grounding in the main approaches, theories and debates in Political Science, but will also allow you to develop more in-depth knowledge of substantive areas within the discipline that are of interest to you.
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 Political Science
Course Level:
Undergraduate,joint Honours combined
Credits
120
Course
CODE U545
How long it takes:
Undergraduate (3 Years)
Study Mode:
Distance learning/ Campus
Course cost
Price: US$20,220
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Department:
Newcastle Law School
Modules in the first year
Compulsory modules
- Understanding Politics
- Introduction to Political Theory
- Politics as a Vocation 1 and 2
- Pathways to Political Research 1 and 2
- Global Comparative Politics
You will also select one of the following:
- Understanding Political Economy
- Understanding International Relations
- Social Justice and Politics
- International Relations of the Global South
Modules in the second year
The second-year of your Political Science degree course further develops your understanding of the discipline and introduces new perspectives on politics and governance. It is designed to develop your knowledge and theoretical understanding of this dynamic and changing field. You will take two compulsory modules.
Compulsory modules
You will take either Comparative Politics or Analysing Political Worlds
Plus, and either Feminist Political Ideas or Race, Empire and Modern Political Theory
Your second year of study will also provide you with the opportunity to undertake more specialised study in areas of the subject that interest you. You will be able to choose four optional modules from the extensive list of modules that we offer. These modules will build on the knowledge and skills you have acquired thus far on your degree and allow you to tailor your studies in a way that best fits with your interests and future plans.
Optional modules in the second year
| Public Choice Theory | Political Economy of Energy and Energy Security | Comparative Politics |
| International Political Economy | Modern Political Thought | Elections and Voting in Britain |
| Diplomatic History Post-1945 | Analysing Political Worlds | America and the Middle East through Politics and Film |
| International Relations Theory | Global Governance | Public Policy Blunders and Bad Decision Making |
| International Security | International Relations of the Middle East | Soviet Politics: Rise and Fall of a Superpower |
| International Politics and Security in Russia and Eurasia | Feminist Political Ideas | War and Peace: Theory and Practice |
| Quantitative Political Analysis | Rebels and Revolutionaries: The Politics of Non-State Armed Groups | Controversies in Contemporary Democracies: Comparative Perspectives |
Year Abroad option
If you have not applied for the four year, study abroad degree you can still apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world if you have achieved a grade of 2.1. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year.
Modules in the final year
In the final year of your degree you will undertake an independent study project and up to five optional modules. Modules in the final year are advanced, research led modules taught by experts in the subject area.
Pathway one
On this pathway you will write a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice. You will be guided and supported by a supervisor who is an expert in your area of interest. In addition to writing the dissertation you will be able to take four optional modules.
Pathway two
On the second pathway you take the module Problems in World Politics. This module is designed to allow students to apply the knowledge they have acquired on their degree to real world policy problems in politics. In addition to this independent study module you will be able to take five optional modules.
| Contemporary Russian and East European Politics | Power in Britain |
Contemporary US Foreign and Security Policy |
| Contemporary International Political Economy | Topics in British Politics | Global Uprisings: Critique and Radical Politics |
| Security in Europe: Actors, Crises and Threats | Democracy and Democratization in Contemporary Europe | War Torn States and Post-Conflict Reconstruction in the South |
| Professional Development (work placement) | Politics of Migrants, Refugees, and Diasporas in the Middle East | The EU in a Globalised World |
| Left Parties and Protest Movements | Gender in World Politics | Issues in US Domestic Politics |
| Varieties of Capitalism and Welfare State Models | Law, Politics and the International System: Mediating Power beyond the State | New Media, Social Media, and International Politics |
| Strategy and Decision-making | Conflict, Statehood and Sovereignty in World Politics | Parties, Voters and Elections |
| Body Politics: Security, Economy, Violence | Environment, Politics and Society | Politics, Music and the Arts |
| The Political Economy of Russia | Global Capitalism and Migration | Understanding Brexit: Identity andEuroscepticism in Europe |
| Russian Foreign Policy | The Diplomacy of the Arab-Israeli Conflict | Populism in Contemporary Politics |
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally have one of the following:
- A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a US 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,. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section.
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.
Your Newcastle degree
Employers target Newcastle students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, their team-working abilities and cultural awareness, and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.
Student Research Internships
Each year on this International Relations degree we offer up to 10 research internships to undergraduates in DETC. These are open on a competitive basis to all second year students. These are fully supported, paid internships that give students the opportunity to work on a one-to-one basis with a member of academic staff in DETC on a research project.
Careers Events
In addition to the extensive careers support that Newcastle University offers all of its students, we offer bespoke employability and careers workshops to all students on our International Relations degree. These workshops run in each year of your programme and are tailored to support you with the information you need to plan should you wish to pursue employment or postgraduate study.
Professional development module
In the final year of your studies of our International Relations degree you will have the opportunity to take our Professional Development module. This module is based around a work placement and will help you bridge the gap between your academic studies and your future career.
Year Abroad
Even if you haven’t applied for our 4-Year Study Abroad International Relations degree you can transfer onto this track during your time at Newcastle (grades depending) and benefit from the increased confidence and different academic perspective gained by studying in a foreign country. We have exchange partners across Europe, as well as in Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Ecuador, Ghana, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Vietnam and Uruguay.