A dynamic subject essential to understanding people, power and policies in a changing world.
Among other aims, our Politics and International Studies degree provides:
The degree equips graduates for employment in a range of careers in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors.
Our curriculum is based upon the research and scholarship of the staff team. We aim to encourage students to become research literate and have a strong understanding and appreciation of the research carried out within their discipline.
Students are introduced to central questions driving political change across the world today and discover how academics, including their own lecturers, are trying to address them.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
Our Politics and International Studies course covers all the core areas of the discipline and offers a range of options focusing on theories and ideologies, international relations and the study of the politics of individual nation states.
Students will have an opportunity to cover the key areas of the discipline, including:
Our students gain the skills and ability to carry out independent research, to assess the merits of competing theories and explanations, to work as part of a team, and to effectively engage in policy debate with sensitivity to the views of others – all skills that are highly attractive to employers.
Research Informed Teaching:
Employability and Politics:
The course operates in 'slow-track' mode, with part-time students taking modules which are available to full-time students. Each module usually involves a two hour lecture plus a one hour seminar each week. In addition, students are required to undertake substantial directed independent learning.
Instruction will take place in the form of two hour lectures and one hour seminars, or a combined three hour lecture/seminar, given on a weekly basis. Full attendance is essential. A module outline is provided at the start of the semester indicating the topics and readings for each session. More detailed lesson plans are made available via Blackboard well in advance of each teaching day. Students must consult Blackboard on a regular basis to ensure that they have the most recent information on readings and tasks that they need to complete before the upcoming session. All our modules require a significant commitment from students who are expected to be familiar with required readings when coming to class. Lectures will address complex substantive, conceptual and technical details required to fulfil the module aims. Students are expected to actively engage in dialogue with lecturers about the issues under discussion by asking and answering questions throughout lecture presentations. Seminars will build on instruction and facilitate dialogue and critical examination. Student group work in seminars and participation in debates and role playing /practical exercises will be features of seminars. Students will be directed to read steadily and extensively throughout the period between teaching sessions in order to keep up with the course requirements and fully benefit from participation in the teaching sessions. Students will be expected to participate in, and contribute effectively to, group tasks during the semester. Independent learning forms a core feature of the Politics and International Studies programme. It is reflected in the requirement that students undertake a significant amount of external research to fulfil their assignments. Academic staff will be available to support and encourage that endeavour throughout. The structure assumes that academic staff will encourage students in ascertaining students' preferred area of research; give general and specific guidance in the location of relevant research materials; support the development of ideas and research plans; and guide students to governmental and non-governmental sources of materials and information that are relevant to their assignment. Students will be encouraged to develop retrieval skills in relation to academic and governmental sources. All our modules are offered by blended learning. The aim of all assessments is to give students the opportunity to review, consolidate and reflect on their learning and to demonstrate the extent to which they have acquired knowledge, understanding and skills. Hence, several modes of assessment are employed in our modules. Formative assessment involves course-based assessment work and ordinarily, though not always, accounts for 50% of the total marks available. It will give staff and students an early indication of their performance while providing a foundation for the summative assessment that accounts for the remaining 50%. Assessments range from essays, case studies, policy briefs, presentations, electoral and conflict analysis or examinations.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
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Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
This module begins by assessing the meaning of politics, the relationship between politics and the State, and the role of government. Then, it describes the organisation of the State and its division of powers. Finally, an analysis is undertaken of the role of public administration in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of public policy.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces students to the study of political thought in its ideological forms. Political ideologies have been implicated in all major political developments over the last two centuries and demand special attention. This module clarifies the principles of these major systems and identifies their implications for political practice.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces the student to the study of politics through the exploration of core concepts, structures and practices within the discipline of politics. It looks at the links between national and international politics and encourages students to think critically about social, political and economic trends. It provides the foundation for the critical analytical skills required in the study of politics, as well as the introducing the core academic skills required for their academic studies.
Year: 1
Status: C
International Relations introduces the student to the study of international relations and to the main theories and debates relevant to understanding politics in an international context.
The module provides all politics students with an introduction to the building blocks of international relations as well as an introduction to theoretical concepts, institutional design and comparative elements of global affairs. This provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate team work and individual study as well as encouraging students to develop their capacity to read, write and think in an academic environment, preparing them for modules at degree level in future years.
Year: 2
Status: C
The module is designed to provoke thought and stimulate questions about the nature of politics and government within the UK. Thus, it considers the key aspects of British politics including political culture, the function and structure of political parties and pressure groups, sub national forms of government and the role of the mass media. In doing so, it examines the dispersal of power within the United Kingdom discusses the changing responsibilities of government, and the nature of political power in a modern state.
Status: O
Year: 2
This module is optional
This module seeks to explore the definition and nature of state crime in criminological and political discourse. It aims to develop a critical understanding of the nature of the state and the scale and type of crimes committed by state agents and agencies. A range of state crimes will be explored in both the domestic and international spheres. The module will explore forms of state crime as techniques of 'coercive governance' and will use examples from both democratic and authoritarian regimes.
Status: O
Year: 2
This module is optional
This module provides a general introduction to the main themes and perspectives within sociology. It explores the relationship between social theory, methods and research in sociology, and shows how sociological concepts can be used in the analysis of social processes and social institutions in contemporary society.
Status: O
Year: 2
This module is optional
This module introduces students to key Social Policy concepts. They are also introduced to a number of contemporary issues in Social Policy and key debates on topics including the welfares state, demographic change, technological advancements, and the financing of welfare. It also explores how governments respond to global challenges such as migration, pandemics and globalisation.
Status: O
Year: 2
This module is optional
This module covers major debates, perspectives and challenges associated with children and families. It will consider policy and services for children's well-being and recent reviews of children's services including child protection services and key areas of provision. Students will examine perspectives on policy, child poverty, mixed economy of care, partnership and inter-agency work and children's participation and rights.
Year: 3
Status: C
The module provides a survey of the political history of the two states which were born out of the partition settlement in 1921. It examines the constitutional frameworks, political institutions along with Anglo-Irish and North-South relations up to the troubles and the peace process.
Year: 3
Status: C
This module considers the philosophical contributions of the major philosophers that have influenced political thought since the early enlightement period and relates those contributions to the historical contexts in which they were written.
Year: 3
Status: C
This module is designed to provide a placement opportunity for students and gives students the opportunity to apply political scholarship to practical situations and link academic studies to the world outside the university. The placement not only encourages students to reflect on the applicability of their scholarship but also allows them the opportunity to draw on and enhance research skills. By practicing specific skills for employment - including the writing of CVs, giving presentations and critically reflecting on experience, the module also aims to prepare students for the world of work beyond university.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module looks at some of the most pertinent issues driving British politics in the 21st century - 'race', class, identity, media control, imperial legacies. It covers the "long durée" of the Empire and its aftermath into the contemporary era. Students are asked to engage with the ways in which British politics have been and continue to be shaped by such legacies as 'race' and class politics.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module seeks to explore political developments in Europe since 1945 and their significance for political thinking. It aims to develop a critical understanding of the development of the state and society and the social contract as it has changed over the last decades in a critical geographical region. It will introduce students to important issues in European affairs, to aspects of international relations including European integration and to comparative analysis.
European Politics have recently come to impact very directly on the lives of students in Ulster. Creating an environment where students can engage in an informed, intelligent and critical manner on the basis of evidence and rigorous debate is a critical contribution to student knowledge, the development of key skills and an important element in Politics education. By adopting a historical, institutional and comparative approach students are encouraged to examine many aspects of European Politics and to enquire openly about political development. By engaging through a variety of methods, including lecture, research, project writing and independent study, students are encouraged to develop a variety of core skills which contribute directly to their degree in year 3.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This course is about how, and why, a regime becomes either a democracy or a dictatorship. Can democracy survive in an agrarian society or a 'divided' society? Was Barrington-Moore correct when he made the observation 'no bourgeois, no democracy'? Is oil inevitably a curse (for democrats) and a blessing (for dictators)? How can a democratic government manage its 'praetorian problem': the risk of military coup? This course examines theories of regimes origin and survival in a range of case studies from across world regions.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module begins by assessing the meaning of populism, the relationship between people and the state. Then, it analyses concepts and theories of populism. Finally, an analysis is undertaken of the politics of populism in 21st century global society.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
Nationalist, ethnic, and minority issues remain a driving force behind political dynamics, societal and institutional changes across the globe. 'Memory and the Nation' is an optional module that explores the underlying concepts and theories behind, and the main theoretical approaches to, the study of nationalism in transitional (post conflict or post authoritiarian societies) in the twentieth century.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module focuses on Latin America, offering students the opportunity to further their understanding of different features of political systems and to understand how prospects for democratization and social justice are conditioned by a range of contextual variables. At the same time, the module gives students the chance to learn more about the Latin American region as a whole and to engage with relevant case studies. The module paves the way for a critical, comparative analysis of political crises and social problems in Latin America, together with an appreciation of the importance of democratic innovations and resilience on the part of civil society.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module focuses on the philosophical and empirical study of political groups that organise around a particular identity. It examines some of the major theoretical frameworks in contemporary political theory and applies these to concrete examples of identity group politics.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module introduces students to the sociology of migration, 'race' and ethnicity, with particular focus on the UK experience. It explores how international population movements and the global forces behind them continue to create the societies we have in the UK, Ireland and the EU today. The module examines the origins and development of racism, incorporating human rights perspectives to explore how it has shaped, and continues to shape the nature of society. We look at the role 'race thinking' has played in the production of inequalities and exclusions, as well as engage with contemporary debates and theoretical advances, particularly in relation to antiracism, whiteness, antisemitism, Islamophobia, citizenship and multiculturalism. The module specifically examines the debates in the local Northern Ireland context with reference to specific groups: ethnic minorities, Travellers, immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
Year: 5
Status: C
Research Methods is specifically geared towards developing the skills and methodologies needed to complete undergraduate political science dissertations. Theoretical lectures are complemented with practical seminar activities and assessments are designed to promote progress towards the design and execution of the students' individual dissertations.
Year: 5
Status: C
This module requires students to work independently, with appropriate guidance and supervision, on their chosen topic. Students are required to submit a substantial written (word processed) dissertation, that focuses on their chosen topic and sets out evidence and arguments in a structured and coherent fashion.
Status: O
Year: 5
This module is optional
This module focuses on how conflicts develop and escalate into violence, with a emphasis on deeply divided societies, post-colonial contexts and/or where there is political violence. The module will explore dynamics of conflict at the individual, inter and intra-group level. The module will critically reflect on types of conflict interventions applying these to real world examples such as combating violent extremism,and preventing reoccurrence through truth commissions.
Status: O
Year: 5
This module is optional
The politics of deeply divided societies, riven by ethnic conflict and political violence, are frequently seen as the most complex and difficult to resolve of modern political problems. Though complicated and unique, divided societies share commonalities. Most particularly, in terms of the importance of identity, sovereignty and territory, questions relating to communal access to power, and the legacy of past violence. This module applies a broad comparative lens to the study of deeply divided societies, and examines several societies divided by conflict: Sri Lanka, the former Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel -Palestine.
Status: O
Year: 5
This module is optional
Since the late 1960s, acts of terrorism have become more numerous and wide-ranging. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in September 2001 and the following incidents elsewhere, notably in Madrid and London, have given impetus to the study of terrorism and political violence, not in only in academic circles but also amongst policy-makers. Furthermore, there is a more heightened awareness in the general public about the `war against terrorism'. The module involves consideration of the debate over the definition of terrorism and political violence; psychological, sociological and other social science theories of terrorism and political violence; the symbiotic relationship between terrorists, terrorism and the mass media; the character of state terrorism; trans-national and international terrorism including past trends and future prospects and single-issue terrorism. The module also examines and assesses counter-terrorism (police, intelligence and legal) measures/responses by the state, both for their effectiveness and for their implications for civil liberty in liberal-democracies.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
Applicants should satisfy the University General Requirements e.g.
Provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE English Language grades A-C/ 4-9 or equivalent); and Provide evidence of passes in five subjects, two of which must be at A level (grades A-E) and three at GCSE level* (grades A-C/4-9); or Provide evidence of passes in four subjects, three of which must be at A level (grades A-E) and one at GCSE level* (grades A- C/4-9); or Provide evidence of an approved qualification at an equivalent level such as a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma or Access to Higher Education qualification or equivalent; or Provide evidence, for a process of formal accreditation by the University, of learning you have gained through work or other experience. The Subject Committee will consider a range of qualifications, experience and other evidence of ability to complete the course satisfactorily when considering applications for part-time study.
* GCSE English Language (grades A-C/4-9) may be used as part of the GCSE requirement.
You must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass in English Language at grade C or above (or equivalent).
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
We offer applicants who have achieved credits on courses with a Politics or International Relations content at Higher Education institutions the opportunity to apply for entry and to be exempted for modules already completed successfully.
Students may enter the course with advanced standing at level 5 and level 6; however, we may require students to complete core modules before entry.
Students may also apply for transfer to other courses within the Faculty of Social Sciences; this may require them to undertake additional study.
In this section
Graduates from this course are now working for:
With this degree you could become:
Enhancing your career:
Ulster University has an excellent Careers Department: seminars and workshops focused on careers are timetabled within the course at all three levels.
The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.
For modules commenced in the academic year 2024/25, the following fees apply:
| Credit Points | NI/ROI Cost | GB Cost | International Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
120 | £4,750 | £9,250 | £16,320 |
60 | £2,375 | £4,625 | £8,160 |
30 | £1,187 | £2,312 | £4,080 |
20 | £792 | £1,542 | £2,720 |
NB: A standard full-time undergraduate degree is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.
*Please note our on campus part-time undergraduate courses are not open to international (non-EU) students.
An annual prize may be given for the best final year Politics dissertation.
Politics students can be considered for the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences Global Studies Award for the best dissertation with an international focus. Additionally, Politics students are encouraged to submit their final year work to The Undergraduate Awards, an international awards programme which recognises creativity, excellence and innovative thinking within student coursework. We have had a number of entries which have been highly commended.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
“I greatly enjoyed both the topics studied throughout the course and the way in which they were taught. All of my lecturers have been excellent in that regard.”
“Staff are welcoming and very willing to assist with any academic queries or requests for help in work.”
“A really interesting topic exploring a lot of previously unknown ideas. Topics that were quite complex were presented and taught at just the right pace needed to grasp them.”
Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.
Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
