BA (Hons) Politics (with Foundation Year option)

Should states have the power to strip people of their citizenship? How do we survive ecological collapse? What do algorithms mean for democracy? How about the fascination with authoritarian leaders and their followers? Come study and debate with us.

UCAS Code:
P486
Institution:
B50
Delivery:
Full time according to Funding Council definitions

Apply now
Visit us:
Visit us
Call us:
Contact us
Request a prospectus:
Request a prospectus

With foundation year: P487

Why study BA (Hons) Politics at BU?

A dynamic and interdisciplinary course exploring power and (in)equality, justice and conflict in a world shaped by economic, a pandemic and climate crises
We cover a range of issues including populism, leadership, diplomacy, race, gender, identity, and environmental activism
Gain hands-on experience as political pundits, experts, fact-checkers, journalists and researchers through participation in staff-student run projects
Network with industry professionals and add valuable experience to your CV in a 4-week or 30-week placement. Within 15 months of completing their course, 88% of our students were employed in a professional or managerial position.
Be part of a community studying politics through regular events, film screenings, discussions and debates organized and led by students’ BU Politics Society.
You can choose units tailored to your passions and career aspirations. 100% of graduates felt that staff made the subject interesting.

Find out more about the content of this course.

Foundation Year: We have a Foundation Year option for UK students who do not meet the entry requirements for the degree course. This additional year of study will give you a grounding in the media & communication skills required for this course, building your confidence, knowledge and skills for further study. After successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress to the full degree.

What you can achieve with a BA (Hons) Politics degree

Study Politics at BU and you will understand all aspects of politics, from the very global to the grassroots. You will gain skills to allow you to be reflective, critical and strategic, ready to take on the challenges of a career in frontline politics, in research and advisory roles for charities, parties or activist groups, in diplomacy and global political affairs within governments, global organisations or for any organisation seeking politically literate and media-savvy employees.

Take a glimpse at life on Talbot Campus

Image description — Image - Politics parliament visit

Next start date:

September 2023, September 2024

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

3 years full-time with a 4-week placement, or 4 years full-time with a 30-week placement. Foundation year: 4 years full-time with a 4-week placement, or 5 years full-time with a 30-week placement

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

For September 2023 entry: 104-120 UCAS tariff points from 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM. Foundation year: 48-72 UCAS tariff points. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2023 entry: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each component or equivalent. For more information check out our International entry requirements.

Course details

On this course you will be taught by academics with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students. You will also benefit from guest lectures from across the world of politics.

Contact hours and assessment

Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification.

Download the programme specification (pdf 580kb)Download the foundation year programme specification (pdf 284kb)

Foundation Year

Core units

Academic & Professional Practice: You will build your confidence in both academic and professional skills. This unit will cover the academic skills which will be required at degree level study and you’ll practice them throughout the unit with support from key university services including the library and study skills team. There will also be the opportunity for you to reflect on and develop your own professional skills through interactions with employers, careers services and online resources.
Collaborative Communication Project: The unit focuses on the centrality of communicaiton, both as a process and as a project. Through the collaborative development of a communication solution to a specific communication problem, the unit aims to promote the principles and practices of team-based iterative project work.
Understanding Contemporary Britain: During this unit you will be introduced to key aspects of culture and society in Britain today. You will develop an understanding of the relationship between developments in culture, politics and society in the making of modern Britain and be able to identify a number of different critical perspectives on those developments.
Law & Government: You will trace a case study through the United Kingdom's political and legal system, following the case study from its inception in a political party's election manifesto, through the legislative process, to how the judiciary interprets its provisions within a court of law. Building out from this case study you will develop an understanding of practical and theoretical underpinnings of politics and law.

Year 1

Core units

Critical Debates in Contemporary Politics: This unit explores contemporary politics to understand the context of debates that underpin ‘being woke’, culture wars, and the politics of Black Lives Matter, Me Too, Extinction Rebellion etc.
Political Sociology: The unit explores how our identities, be they of race, ethnicity, class, religion, gender, or sexuality, influence the distribution of political power and so the sense of belonging which determines political engagement and behaviour.
History of Political Thought: What have been the big ideas that have impacted our thinking about revolutions, democracy and the role of the state from Antiquity until today? You’ll be introduced to classical texts from Plato to Karl Marx linked to debates about equality, liberty, gender, and many more issues, and you will examine their relevance for contemporary politics.
Global Governance & International Relations: This unit introduces you to the interplay between states, corporations, the various non-state actors from Greenpeace to the United Nations, and global movements from Black Lives Matter to Occupy. We explore how all these actors influence the global and national political agenda around poverty, inequality, education and the rest of the UN Sustainable development goals.
Researching Politics: This unit introduces you to the methods of acquiring data and building knowledge, plus skills required throughout the course and for your future employability, such as doing secondary research, conducting surveys, interviews, focus groups, content and discourse analysis.
Public Opinion and Persuasion: You'll learn core theory about the art and science of persuasion, questioning what this means in an era of climate breakdown, or even imminent "civilisational collapse"? How will publics respond to the unfolding ecological crises? We imagine persuasive futures, both utopian and dystopian.

Year 2

Core units

Digital Politics: This unit explores all impacts of digital communication from fake news and echo chambers to community solidarity and widening participation in civic life. Through exploring the impact of digital technologies on politics we develop practical skills in designing, implementing and critically evaluating the way digital communications are utilised in politics.
Political Psychology: This unit takes a deep dive into the psychology of all things political. Why do we vote for certain parties? What attracts us to political leaders? Why might we join a protest? How do we respond to terrorist attacks? Why people believe conspiracy theories or reject scientific evidence? We investigate contemporary political events using key theories and methods from political psychology.
Political Journalism: The unit analyses the role of news media for civic education, democratic accountability, and political engagement. As well as understanding the extent news media fulfil these normative roles, you will also have the opportunity to develop core journalistic skills, contributing to citizen journalist outlets.
Civil Society and Social Movements: What are social movements? How do they form? What do they do? The unit explores contentious forms of political activity and protest that challenge institutionalised politics, including the evolution of the Civil Rights movement and Black Lives Matter, the democratic revolutions of the Arab World, and populist movements of the far right.
Political Marketing & Campaigning: The unit explores how political organisations sell their ideas to citizens, how they gain a following, mobilise their supporters and how they succeed. The unit applies techniques from psychology, communication studies and marketing to investigate how campaigns are designed and executed, enabling you to develop critical and practical skills.

Option units (choose one)

Global Current Affairs: You will engage with current debates in international and multimedia journalism, and be introduced to major global developments and their impact on news reporting. The aim is to develop your judgment and ability to link developments from different localities, periods and spheres of human activity, while dealing with issues of, and challenges to, professional practice.
Globalisation & Marginalisation: You’ll explore how a series of global processes, institutions, and flows (of people, capital and commodities, for example) generate complex forms of inequality and marginalisation in the contemporary world, as well as some of the ways in which these developments are challenged and opposed.
Strikes, Riots & Blackouts - Britain in the 1970s: You will explore the intense political and ideological social divisions of the time, often expressed in cultural forms including Punk and alternative and community media.
Youth Culture & Politics 1945 - present: You will be introduced to the dynamics of youth-led and youth-majority political movements, exploring how campaigns can travel and spread across cities and nations
The Cold War 1945 - 1991: You will examine key events such as the Berlin blockade, the Korean War, the Hungarian uprising of 1956, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the fall of the Soviet Union, as well as the ideological struggle behind the Eastern and Western blocs.
Migration Histories 1800 - 1989: You will explore histories of migration and will examine different historical and geographical examples such as the Swedish, German, Italian and Eastern European emigration from Europe to North America in the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth century, the Caribbean and Asian immigration to Britain in the post-war period, and East-West migration in the Cold War.
Women & Equal Rights 1850 - 2000: This unit traces the campaigns and changes in British society that led to women being granted equal rights. It explores the background to significant events such as the 1866 suffrage petition, the 1919 Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act and 1970 Equal Pay legislation as well as evaluating the part played by key individuals for example Millicent Fawcett, Viscountess Rhondda and Barbara Castle.
Trafficking, Migration & Criminality: You will consider the relationship between trafficking, migration and criminality. The unit looks at different forms of trafficking (including human trafficking, the drug trade, the global sex industry, organ trafficking and the smuggling of commodities) across a number of countries in Europe, North Africa, South East Asia and the United States and considers the trafficking industry in relation to South to North migration flows.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Optional placement year

Final year

Core units

International Relations, State Power & Public Diplomacy: How do states yield their soft power and manage their images in an era of uncertainty? This unit delves into the current challenges for diplomacy and diplomats, looking at both state and non-state actors and how they interact through diplomatic as well as public channels. You will critically evaluate current debates in the field such as strategic disinformation, narratives and memes, emotions in IR, immigration, protests and vaccine diplomacy.
The Philosophy of Politics: The unit invites you to debate political philosophies and theories, from populism to anarchism, socialism to eco-feminism, utilitarianism to critical race theory. We journey from Jeremy Bentham's "greatest happiness of the greatest number" to Ayn Rand's "virtue of selfishness", to Vandana Shiva's "earth democracy".
Academic Dissertation or Consultancy Dissertation: The dissertation offers you an opportunity to become an expert on the topic that is of particular personal interest and passion. You will develop a study that connects your learning with real-world insights enabling you to develop and demonstrate your critical, analytical and research skills.

Option units (choose two)

Aesthetics & Politics: This unit will examine the interaction between the creative arts and institutional and contentious politics. We analyse a range of creative work, such as portraits, popular culture, graffiti and music, to explore how both commissioned work and grassroots activism can communicate and challenge political power.
Promotion, Power & Democracy: The unit explores the impact of promotional culture on politics, with an emphasis on the role of discourse in reproducing power, inequality, class or gender. You will analyse how ideas become popular and dominant, as well as suppressed or challenged within the information ecosystem of the digital age.
Social & Intercultural Communication: This unit will provide you with an understanding of pertinent social and intercultural issues (both in the UK and internationally) and their impact upon contemporary professional communication practices. ‘Communication practices’ can include any form of interaction between individuals, groups, ‘communities’ and / or organisations that take place within an increasingly complex, diverse and interconnected world.
Race, Media and Inequality: You will develop critical understandings of historical and contemporary issues and debates on the dynamics of race, ethnicity and culture in media and communication practice and political discourse. You will also develop the cultural competencies required to articulate the key issues and advance solutions for a specific industry.
Persuasion & Influence: In this unit, we deepen our understanding of core concepts such as social influence, communicator credibility and the ethics of persuasion in the context of contemporary debates and examples, from the representation of HIV/Aids, to shock tactics and animal rights.
The Shaping of the Middle East by Colonial Britain: This unit explores the post-First World War origins of today’s Middle East countries, and how and why they were created by the Allied victors.
History & Political Struggle: International Perspectives through Film: You'll explore how key political events, ideas and conflicts in history are represented in fiction and non-fiction film.
Terrorism, Protection & Society: The aim of this unit is to introduce you to many of the complex issues involved in conceptualising and responding to terrorism and protection in contemporary societies. You will be introduced to protection and counter-terrorism as a form of social regulation and control of individuals and ‘deviant’ groups (micro and meso issues) and prescribing ways in which society is ordered in an age of terrorist threat (macro-political issues). You will develop a deep critical understanding of the ways in which meanings are constructed and how these impact on social life.
Seekers, Believers & Iconoclasts: Sociology of Thought: This unit explores belief systems as a sociological phenomenon contextualised within a cultural and social analysis, as well as a philosophical and historical one.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Placements

At BU, we recognise that placements are extremely valuable and can give you a head start when it comes to your future career. That’s why we offer every new student the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of their course.

You could even choose to undertake your placement abroad, giving you the opportunity to develop yourself personally, academically, and professionally and gain skills to help you stand out in the job market.

Find out about BU students’ experiences on placements All you need to know about placements

How placements benefit you

A placement should be a highly rewarding experience for you and the employing company and we do our best to ensure that everyone involved feels that they have got the most that they can from the experience.

On your placement, you’ll get to:

Put the theory learnt throughout the course into professional practice
Enhance your study and help you decide on subject options (where appropriate)
Learn a wide range of skills such as time management, problem solving and team work (all of these are important to succeed in any career)
Make contacts, as it is not uncommon for our students to be offered permanent positions to return to after graduating
Gain a real insight into how the industry operates in roles that would be almost impossible to achieve for an outsider.

Many of our students, during their placement, are given responsibilities normally associated with graduate trainees.

How long will your placement be?

Help and support

The faculty running your course will offer the support of a Placement Co-ordinator.

They’ll help you plan your placement to make sure you get the right experience for you. That includes offering help and support if you need to move to another part of the UK – and even another country – to get the most out of your time.

We’ve also built close industry links over the years – so our network of employers that are keen to work with placement students is always growing. Or if you’d prefer to arrange your placement independently, we can offer advice on how to do that too.

Our placement students have previously worked with

Entry requirements

For 2023 entry: This course requires 104–120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. We are happy to consider a combination of qualifications and grades to meet the overall tariff, for example A-levels A*CC, ABC, BBB or BCC, BTECs DDM or DMM. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.

If you do not meet these requirements, you may want to consider our Foundation Year, a one-year course that will prepare you for degree-level study.

Calculate your UCAS tariff points

2023 entry
Numeracy and literacy requirements (e.g. GCSEs)	GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework. See all of the equivalencies.
A-level and AS levels	104–120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two A-levels.
Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate – Skills Challenge Certificate	We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
Access to HE Diploma	102–118 UCAS tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit, Pass grades.
BTEC National	Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points) Diploma: Distinction, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points) Foundation Diploma/ 90-credit Diploma:* We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff Extended Certificate/ Subsidiary Diploma: This qualification is accepted as part of the overall tariff.
Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma	104–120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two principal subjects.
Cambridge Technical	Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points) Diploma: Distinction, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points) Subsidiary Diploma:* We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff Introductory Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
Extended Project Qualification	We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by two A-level sized qualifications to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
International Baccalaureate Certificates	104–120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Higher Level certificates.
International Baccalaureate (Diploma)	An overall score of 28–31 points.
Scottish Highers	104–120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of four Scottish Highers.
Scottish Advanced Highers	104–120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.
T Levels	Merit (120 UCAS tarrif points).

Foundation Year entry requirements

Numeracy and literacy requirements	There are no GCSE requirements. The Foundation Year will cover these skills in preparation for degree study.
For September 2023 entry	48–72 UCAS tariff points.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.	Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2023 entry: Chinese Senior High School Graduation Certificate (Huikao) average 80%, or Gaokao 61-71%. Grade depends on the course Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma (4,4,3 to 4,4,4 from three subjects). Grade depends on the course All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Standard XII) 60-70% Italian Esame di Stato with 60-70%. Grade depends on the course Titulo de Bachillerato with 6 or 7. Grade depends on the course English language requirements If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally: For September 2023 entry: IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent. View further information about our English language requirements. If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2023 entry:

Chinese Senior High School Graduation Certificate (Huikao) average 80%, or Gaokao 61-71%. Grade depends on the course
Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma (4,4,3 to 4,4,4 from three subjects). Grade depends on the course
All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Standard XII) 60-70%
Italian Esame di Stato with 60-70%. Grade depends on the course
Titulo de Bachillerato with 6 or 7. Grade depends on the course

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

For September 2023 entry: IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

Other useful information

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

Your application

We are an inclusive, friendly university and we value the different skills and abilities that a wide range of people can bring to our courses. That’s why we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds with varied and different experiences.

We consider lots of different qualifications to make sure that those who have the talent and the ability to study and learn with us are given the chance to do so.

How to apply

Selection methods

How we assess your application

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

AccessBU gives you the chance to tell us more about you and your life experiences if you haven’t had the same educational opportunities as other applicants. If you are eligible for AccessBU, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS Tariff Points below the published tariff.

Our offer-making process

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

Careers

The world of politics is constantly evolving and in today’s hyper-mediated environment, there is an even greater need for people who understand the role the media plays within politics.

Within fifteen months of completing the course, 90% of our students were in employment or further study.

Careers advice, resources, events and job opportunities

Typical starting job roles

This course will prepare you for working in various roles within this fascinating area, including in local and national government, non-government organisations, think-tanks, lobbying groups and emerging political industries such as soft diplomacy and nation branding.

Among the positions you will be prepared for are:

Political Press Officer/Spokesperson
Campaign Strategist
Digital Communication Strategist
Political Project Manager
Journalist.

Your placement and option units will also help you establish the career path you want to follow – and to take control of your career development after you graduate.

Example employers

Further study

Costs and fees

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course. You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our undergraduate fees and funding section. That’s also where you’ll find information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be.

Find out more about budgeting and living expenses

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study.
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features.
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds
Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website
Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable)
Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses
Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately
Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas) if this is part of your course of study. Placement year funding information can be found on our website.
Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study
Sport BU membership.

Repeat units

Help and support

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that staff can change.

Dr Ian Gwinn - Programme Leader

Dr Ian Gwinn teaches politics and history at undergraduate level. He is a historian of late-twentieth century Britain and Germany, who specialises in the study of social movements, cultural politics and the history of the social sciences. His current research concerns the formation and development of a feminist intellectual culture in the 1970s and 80s in Britain, West Germany and the Netherlands. Ian has previously studied at Queen Mary, University of London and the University of Birmingham, and received his PhD from the University of Liverpool in 2015 on the topic of the History Workshop movement in Britain and West Germany. He is currently working on turning his thesis into a monograph entitled A Different Kind of History is Possible due for publication in 2020.

View Dr Ian Gwinn’s staff profile

Dr Elena-Alina Dolea

Dr Elena-Alina Dolea joined Bournemouth University on September 1, 2017. She holds a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and her research themes include public diplomacy and strategic communication of organisations (public relations, nation branding), migration, public issues, political communication. She is interested in supervising PhD students in any of these areas.

Alina was Fulbright Senior Scholar 2015-2016 and visited USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism between November 2015 and March 2016. She was also Visiting Scholar at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland), during May-October 2015, researching public diplomacy in Switzerland (through the Swiss Scientific exchange program for new member states as part of Swiss Contribution to EU)

View Dr Elena-Alina Dolea’s staff profile

Professor Darren Lilleker

Described by one BBC journalist as 'a man who watches Westminster', Prof. Lilleker is a lecturer and researcher in political communication with particular interests in political party and candidate communication and the link to citizen and voter engagement.

His teaching covers topics relating to political communication, communication theory and reception theory. Through the delivery of his units, he prioritises maximising student engagement: his work in this area was recognised with the award of a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

In addition, Prof. Lilleker leads the Centre for Comparative Politics and Media Research and plays a leading role in developing research strategy as Deputy Head of the Humanities and Law Department. He is also Chair of the Political Communication Research Committee of the International Political Studies Association, a member of the UK Political Studies Association and the European Communication Research and Education Association.

View Professor Darren Lilleker’s staff profile

Dr Anastasia Veneti

Dr Anastasia Veneti joined Bournemouth University in September 2014. Prior to this, she was teaching at the University of Leicester and in several educational institutions in Greece (Akmi Metropolitan College, University of Athens, Technological Educational Institution of Ionian Islands). Moreover, she also worked as a research analyst in Greek market research companies (MRB S.A. and QED Hellas) and as communication consultant in various political campaigns, an NGO (‘ANIXI’) and the Hellenic Parliament. She is a HEA Fellow.

Her research lays at the intersection of media and politics. So far, she did research on political communication including political advertising, political campaigns, the use of SNS and digital applications (Twitter and selfies) by politicians and political parties. Her research also includes projects on protests and social movements: the most recent work in this area involves the examination of the media framing of protests and social movements from the Indignados to the Hong Kong Umbrella movement, as well as the exploration of the broader relationship between protesters and activists and the different forms of art that are used as outlets for political expression.

View Dr Anastasia Veneti’s staff profile

Dr Jenny Alexander

Dr Jenny Alexander is a Senior Lecturer in Politics, Media and Communication in the School of Humanities and Law. Her primary research, teaching and publishing interests are in environmental politics and environmental communication, and in gender, sexuality and politics/ gender, sexuality and communication.

Her PhD (University of Sussex) was on nineteenth century anarchist autobiographies. She has published on gender, sexuality, disability and representation (including on fan-fiction, anarchism and sexuality, and the semiotics of the 2012 Paralympics) and on environmental politics and communication (including on "eco-celebrity" and eco-fascism). Her most recent journal article, "Green White Nationalism: Eco-Fascism and the Alt-Right in the Era of Climate Breakdown" is forthcoming (2020). She is also currently writing a book for Routledge on Environmental Advertising: New Forms of Transnational Persuasion, about the global politics of promotional communication on the subject of the environment. Another book is at the planning stage; on the ethics of contemporary homoerotic subtext, titled Queercoding or Queerbaiting: The Homoerotic Subtext of Supernatural (A Study in Reading Subtext on Screen).

View Dr Jenny Alexander's staff profile

Dr David McQueen

Dr David McQueen is a lecturer at Bournemouth University and his research interests include questions of media & power, conflict coverage and PR. He has been teaching on media courses at different levels since 1991 and is author of a popular undergraduate textbook Television: a Media Student's Guide. In 2010 he successfully completed his PhD research entitled BBC TV's Panorama, Conflict Coverage and the Westminster Consensus.

As a full time member of staff he has developed and taught on a number of BA and MA units within the Media School and is an active researcher with an interest in issues around media and power, conflict coverage, film and television history and public relations.

View Dr David McQueens's staff profile

Dr Savvas Voutyras

Dr Savvas Voutyras holds a PhD in Ideology and Discourse Analysis from the University of Essex. His research interests include the relation between discourse and affect, the use of psychoanalysis for political analysis, nationalism, and alternative community economies. He has published on the discourses of austerity in Greece and the emergence of new social and political movements in this context.

View Dr Savvas Voutyras's staff profile

Course changes

Changes for 2022 entry

Date	Changes to this course
26/04/2022	Where the change was made: Programme specification Change: Year two Global Current Affairs unit - additional 4 contact hours added Previous text: 36 contact hours
01/10/2021	Where the change was made: Fees box. Change: Placement fee for September 2022 entry amended to £1,850. Previous text: £850.

Changes for 2021 entry

Date	Changes to this course
19/05/2021	Change: Foundation year option added Previous text: N/A

Changes in 2019

Date	Changes to this course
28/05/19	Where the change was made: Course details Change: New unit title: Race, Media and Inequality has replaced Media (in) Equality. New optional unit added: Social & Intercultural Communication. Previous text: Optional units removed: Environmental Communications, Social Communications, Health Science Communications.

Changes in 2018

Date	Changes to this course
18/09/18	Where the change was made: 2019 entry requirements Change: The 2019 entry requirements have been adjusted Previous text: The entry requirements for this course are 104 - 112 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM.

Changes in 2017

Date	Changes to this course
14/11/2017	Where the change was made: Fees Change: After an annual review of the placement year tuition fee, a price increase in line with current inflation, equating to 3% has been introduced. Previous text: £790
22/9/2017	Where the change was made: Duration and Placement section Change: The short placement is now a minumun of 4-weeks Previous text: Short placement of 6-weeks
22/9/2017	Where the change was made: Course details Change: Changes to core and option units for students starting in September 2018 onwards Previous text: Please view the previous programme specification
6/9/2017	Where the change was made: Key facts and 2018 entry Change: 2018 entry requirements have changed to 104 - 112 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. Previous text: The entry requirements for this course are 104 tariff points from 3 A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
6/9/2017	Where the change was made: 2018 entry requirements Change: 2018 GCSE entry requirements have changed to This course requires GCSE English and Mathematics grade C (or grade 4 in the reformed GCSE grading) or equivalent qualifications. Previous text: This course requires a minimum of 4 GCSEs grades A* - C (or grade 4 or above in the newly reformed GCSE grading) including Maths and English or equivalent qualifications.

Statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats and BU institutional data unless otherwise stated.

BA (Hons) Politics (with Foundation Year option)

Course search

Search form

Why study BA (Hons) Politics at BU?

What you can achieve with a BA (Hons) Politics degree

Take a glimpse at life on Talbot Campus

Key information

Next start date:

Location:

Duration:

Required subjects:

Entry requirements:

International entry requirements:

Scholarships and bursaries

Related courses

Read student perspectives

Holocaust survivor Tomi Komoly tells his story to History and Politics students

Amy reflects on her final year studying Politics

A day in the life of a Politics student

Explore creative opportunities

Students reimagine the media after the pandemic at Salzburg Academy

BU staff and students launch Deterrence, a research documentary and learning resource

BU students cover 2019 general election

Chat with a student

Course details

Contact hours and assessment

Foundation Year

Year 1

Year 2

Optional placement year

Final year

Programme specification

Placements

How placements benefit you

How long will your placement be?

Help and support

Our placement students have previously worked with

Entry requirements

Foundation Year entry requirements

International entry requirements

English language requirements

Other useful information

Your application

Selection methods

How we assess your application

Our offer-making process

Careers

Typical starting job roles

Example employers

Further study

Costs and fees

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Repeat units

Help and support

Our staff

Dr Ian Gwinn - Programme Leader

Dr Elena-Alina Dolea

Professor Darren Lilleker

Dr Anastasia Veneti

Dr Jenny Alexander

Dr David McQueen

Dr Savvas Voutyras

Course changes

Changes for 2022 entry

Changes for 2021 entry

Changes in 2019

Changes in 2018

Changes in 2017