Politics
Politics degrees
Study how power shapes politics, governments and life in the UK and around the world. Our Politics degree look at the institutions, processes and beliefs that societies have developed: how they shape priorities, conflict resolution and wealth distribution, while tackling some of today’s biggest challenges.
Go beyond the textbook with our politics degree and learn from leading experts who visit the University as part of the Vice-Chancellor Speaker Series and Fireside Talks, in addition to our wide range of local and international academics.
We offer international field trips as part of your course, such as travelling to the UN or Cuba, and are home to the new Centre for United Nations Studies, which was opened by the President of the UN General Assembly.
Why choose Buckingham
Study Politics at Buckingham, the home of the two-year degree, ranked 2nd for Graduate Prospects (on-track, The Complete University Guide, 2023). Students are at the heart of everything we do: our award-winning small class tutorials ensure every student is known by name and supported throughout their studies. You will love our personalised teaching model, dedicated student support team, and beautiful, safe campus.
Featured Politics courses
Student feedback
Richard, Politics, Economics and Law
“Buckingham’s small class sizes and the tutorial-based system are invaluable educational advantages, which truly personalise education. It’s the way it ought to be. The only thing that I would want more from Buckingham would be to go back and do it again!”
Experience Politics
Meet our lecturers
Dr Steve Wilkinson, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations
Dr Wilkinson is considered one of the UK’s leading experts on Cuba and US-Cuba relations. He is Chairman of the International Institute for the Study of Cuba and editor of the International Journal of Cuban Studies. He has organised student visits to Cuba and is working on a student trip to North Korea in 2020.
Dr Paul Graham, Senior Lecturer in Politics
Dr Graham is a political theorist who has authored one of the most widely used undergraduate textbooks on his subject – Hoffman and Graham, Introduction to Political Theory, 3rd Edition, Routledge, 2015 (fourth edition due out in 2020). He also runs the Centre for United Nations Studies.
Dr Valentina Kostadinova, Lecturer in Politics
An expert on the European Union (EU), Dr Kostadinova has also worked on the Middle East, with particular focus on Saudi Arabia. She has published the findings of her research in leading academic outlets, including in the Journal of Common Market Studies. She teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate level and is a PhD supervisor.
Your future career
Degrees in politics equip graduates with a range of skills: analysis; report writing; group working; and a deep understanding of social relations, both domestic and international.
A BA in Politics is especially useful as a foundation for careers in policy analysis, civil service, diplomacy, country risk analysis, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the charity sector, public affairs, journalism and teaching.
We support your employability through a Professional Development Portfolio, in which you write reflectively about the professional skills you acquire and use during your time at university. These skills will help you in your studies as well as being crucial for your future career.
Industry links
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), a leading economic think tank, provides dedicated internship places and guest lecturers. We have pioneered collaborations with universities such as the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, and are also the home to The Institute for International Monetary Research and the Centre for United Nations Studies.