Compulsory modules

Making Sense of Politics
How do we make sense of studying politics and the changing nature of politics? This module addresses the contestable nature of politics and its relevance in contemporary society. You will explore the concepts of power, democracy and terrorism, applying these concepts to contemporary issues to better understand the political world. You will engage with external actors to reflect on how current national and/or world issues are framed from diverse perspectives and angles, working in small groups to develop your ideas.

Exploring Political Inequalities
How can we better understand the unequal world around us? This module explores the concept of (in)equality through the lens of political thought, focusing on economics, religion, gender and race. You will be introduced to classic texts and thinkers, developing an understanding of the foundations of political thought. You will critically reflect on your own perspectives relating to economic, religious, gender and racial inequalities through real-world political examples, exploring how these inequalities can be overcome and developing manifestos for change.

Understanding Contemporary World Politics
In a world of rapid change, how does world politics work, and how can we study it? This module introduces the history of the contemporary world, and the main approaches to understanding it. You will explore the rise and fall of the Cold War, the growth of international organisations, and the birth of a twenty-first century new world order; and you will examine key approaches to the study of International Relations such as realism, liberalism and social constructivism.

Becoming a Social Scientist
This module transitions you to university scholarship and introduces the employability and professional skills that a social science degree provides through a range of action-focused activities, e.g. analysing local council budgets and making decisions about where to invest money. Overall, the module introduces you to vital academic and professional skills and competencies that will allow you to thrive in the first year of undergraduate study.

Optional modules

British Politics: Welfare, Economy and Society
How did we get to the state we're in? This module focuses on the domestic and international dimensions of British politics, presenting an overview of the key debates that have shaped post-WW2 British politics. You will develop an understanding of key events and the importance of ideas such as welfare, decline, immigration, governability and populism. You will enhance your critical reading and analytical skills, developing a better understanding of how the past can help us make sense of the present.

Compulsory modules

Global Democracy under Threat?
In the face of challenges from above, below and within, democracy around the world is under threat. From challenges posed by populism and autocratic leadership to increasing political mistrust and declining levels of participation set against a backdrop of the threat posed by AI and misinformation, global democracies face numerous different threats. You will develop your data handling and analysis skills, exploring whether global democracy is resilient or in retreat and complete diverse assessments designed for an external audience.

Public Policy and How To Make It
This module provides a grounding in policy analysis in both political and practical terms, equipping you to problem-solve in a range of environments. You will explore the nature of the policy process and the forces that drive it, including many of the main public policy theories. You will learn to evaluate policy and develop skills in policy formulation before delivering a policy recommendation for external audiences. You will engage with external stakeholders, working together to explore solutions to policy problems.

Social Science Research Methods and Data Analysis
How can we know the world and the societies around us? This module introduces you to the core social science of designing, implementing, and analysing social and global phenomena. You will learn to identify and analyse data sources that might be used by social scientists in real world situations. From quantitative surveys to qualitative interviews and ethnographic studies, you will explore methodological approaches to understanding society and develop practical researcher skills that prepare you to carry out original research.

Social Science at Work
This module introduces you to possible careers for social scientists and links to the work you are doing in your subject core and option modules asking the question ‘how can we mobilise academic study into the real world?’ You will also be encouraged to prepare for placement work that you may pursue and reflecting on your social media footprint; developing your personal/professional brand and digital networking platforms.

Optional modules

People, Power and Participation
Who participates in politics and why? What are the barriers to participation for women, young people and ethnic minorities? Why does participation vary? What are the different ways we can participate? How can we encourage more people to participate in politics? And what is the relationship between participation and democracy? You will explore the dynamics of citizen engagement and how political activism can lead to political change, reflecting on our own roles as political actors and drivers of political change.

Work Placement for Social Sciences
This module is designed to give you the opportunity to contribute to the world beyond the university. The chosen workplace may be, for example, with the local borough council, other government-related institutions, as well as other UK-based public or private sectors (e.g., businesses, risk analysis, PR, Journalism, charity, radio). While on the placement, you will produce a portfolio that you can draw on in future applications and interviews, reflecting on and giving evidence of the activities/outputs completed at their chosen workplace.

Compulsory modules

Dissertation in Politics
This module provides guidance in researching and writing a dissertation. You will develop your ability to work independently and enhance your research skills, including identifying a suitable research topic; developing appropriate research questions; identifying, assessing and analysing relevant literature and evidence; reflecting on the ethical implications of conducting research and structuring and writing up your work clearly and effectively. You can choose to conduct a desk-based project or undertake a fieldwork-based project that may involve working with an external partner.

The Dark Side of Politics
The global political landscape is increasingly dominated by self-interest, violence, corruption, distrust, alienation, deception, polarisation and institutional failure. As citizens feel increasingly alienated from the political process, trust with political elites and satisfaction with democracy around the world, particularly in the face of technological advances such as AI, is in decline. In this module, you will focus on the dark side of politics, exploring issues such as polarisation, corruption and anti-politics from a global perspective, developing your critical analytical skills.

Building a Better Future
How do we build a better future? And what is our role in leading and shaping the changes we want to see in the world? This module empowers you to become global, active citizens, reflecting on how we can shape the future. The module explores the importance of leadership in a changing world and how we can move towards a more just, sustainable future, as you take part in simulations to develop and reflect on your own leadership skills.

Engaged Social Science
Moving on from the previous skills modules, you will further consider how your degree can link to a range of life skills and careers through engagement with community groups, activists and people working in public and private sectors. You will be supported in your next steps either through transition to the workplace or postgraduate study.

Optional modules

Parliamentary Studies
This module provides an in-depth knowledge of how the UK Parliament works in both theory and practice. Taught in conjunction with staff from the Westminster Parliament, the module examines Parliament’s increasing prominence as a policy-making actor in the twenty-first century, particularly in the context of Brexit. The module gives you the tools to critically evaluate the role of Parliament in shaping policy and politics. You will engage with Parliamentary practitioners, visit Parliament and complete assessments set by Parliamentary staff.

Work Placement for Final Year Social Sciences
This module is designed to give you the opportunity to contribute to the world beyond the university. The chosen workplace may be, for example, with the local borough council, other government-related institutions, as well as other UK-based public or private sectors (e.g., businesses, risk analysis, PR, Journalism, charity, radio). While on the placement, you will produce a portfolio that they can draw on in future applications and interviews, reflecting on and giving evidence of the activities/outputs completed at their chosen workplace.