Politics

Politics isn’t just about governments, it’s about power, ideas, and change. Our undergraduate Politics degree gives you the tools to explore big questions: Who makes decisions? How do societies work? What can you do to make a difference?

Politics is deeply connected to economics, history, culture, and identity (gender, race, class, and nationality) as well as to questions of values within society. Through our BA (Hons) Politics degree you can explore issues of democratisation and democratic decline, of equality and human rights, of norms and values that shape societies and individuals, as well as of how public policies are developed in Wales, Britain and beyond.

The opportunity to intern with a Member of the Senedd in our Senedd/Welsh Parliament module provides a chance to learn how parliaments and parliamentarians work. You can also participate in the British Parliamentary Studies module, partly delivered by expert staff from the Houses of Parliament. Our BA (Hons) Politics degree can open up a range of exciting career possibilities by helping you to develop research and analytical skills, as well as working collaboratively towards shared goals and equipping you with the graduate attributes highly valued by employers.

Join a vibrant community of thinkers and changemakers, dive into real-world issues, and develop the skills to influence tomorrow. If you care about how we govern ourselves as a society, how we deal with diverse perspectives, and how we can respond to global challenges, our BA Politics offers an exciting starting point for your intellectual and professional journey.

Our stunning Singleton Park campus will keep you grounded and offer the perfect environment for taking a break in the park and enjoying the views across Swansea Bay on the edge of the beautiful Gower Peninsula.

At Swansea, we offer varied course content that allows you to pursue your interests and shape your politics degree into the profile you wish to graduate with.

Topics include global challenges such as democracy and polarisation, inequality, racism, global human rights and environmental challenges; ethics and moral controversies in contemporary societies, or questions of identity and identity politics, as well as the changing role of the US for shaping political discourses over time.

Teaching is informed by our world-leading research, and you can attend extra-curricular events with high-profile guest speakers, political representatives, or alumni sharing their career journeys.

This course also offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The optional Foundation Year for this programme can give you an exciting introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education, or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your BA.

Kickstart a bright future at Swansea University.

With around 300,000 residents, Swansea isn’t the biggest city this side of the Severn, but she’s got a big personality with a cost of living that’s refreshingly affordable compared to most other UK cities. Whether you like to explore the outdoors, take in a bit of culture, or anything in between, Swansea has something for everyone.

As a student at Swansea University, you'll benefit from a friendly, inclusive community and opportunities to gain skills that last a lifetime. Alongside first-class resources that include a mock court room, indoor athletics centre & virtual reality lab, you'll learn from leading academics, in a supportive and nurturing environment.

With 120 societies, 50 sports clubs and 12 months of must-see events, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy between lectures.

Whoever you are and whoever you want to be, you'll find yourself right at home in Swansea.