Study at Cardiff | Undergraduate

Politics is worth studying because it is important, interesting, and will help you get a job. Our aim is for students to develop a critical understanding of key aspects of political theory and modern politics, along with a command of associated transferable skills. You will be taught by staff who are all research-active and publish books and journal articles on a regular basis. We have particular expertise in political theory, European politics, public policy and international relations. You can either concentrate on Politics by doing a Single Honours Politics degree, or combine studying Politics with studying international relations, modern history, economics, law, sociology, philosophy, or languages. Within Politics it is possible to choose from a wide range of modules. We have exchange programmes with two American universities, plus European universities if you are combining Politics with a language. The 2011 QS University Rankings has Cardiff as one of the world's top 100 places to study Politics.

Key Facts

The Politics degree programme at Cardiff takes three years to complete. Single Honours students take 6 Politics modules each year, while Joint Honours students take 3 Politics modules each year plus modules in their other subject.

The first year is an introductory year. It is the results of the second and final years of study that determine your degree classification. The degree is made up of compulsory modules as well as optional modules, allowing you to tailor your degree to reflect your specific interests. A particular feature is the option of writing a dissertation in your final year. This is highly regarded by employers because it indicates that you can do original research.

Year 1

You start by studying Politics modules alongside modules from elsewhere, allowing you the opportunity to pursue existing academic interests or explore new subjects. There are six Politics modules.

• Introduction to Government
• Introduction to European Integration
• Introduction to Political Thought
• Introduction to International Relations
• Introduction to Political Science
• Introduction to Globalisation

Which modules are compulsory depends on which Politics degree you are doing. For Single Honours Politics it is the first three.

Year 2

In Year 2 you specialise in the subject area(s) of your particular degree. Note that the list of modules below is indicative only and modules may vary from year to year.

• British Politics since 1945
• Influencing Public Policy
• Theory and Practice in Comparative Politics
• Politics and Policies of the EU
• Democracy in Crisis?
• International Security - Concepts and Issues
• International Law in a Changing World
• Global Justice
• Justice and Politics: Contemporary Political Theory
• Political Thought from Marx to Nietzsche
• Conducting Political Research
• O'r Groegiaid i Gymru: Athroniaeth Wleidyddol
• Credoau'r Cymry: Athroniaeth ac Athrawiaeth Gymraeg o'r Safbwynt Rhyngwladol

Final Year

In your Final Year you get the opportunity to choose from a further set of modules, including the option of doing a dissertation. Note that the list of modules is indicative only and modules may vary from year to year.

• Modern Welsh Politics
• Managing a difficult democracy
• Personality and power
• Elections in the UK
• Global Climate Politics
• Parliamentary Studies
• Justice and the Politics of International Law
• Conflict, Security and Development
• EU Security
• The European Mind in the 20th Century
• May 68. Marking Changes in European Politics and Culture
• Politics Dissertation
• International Relations Dissertation
• Cyfiawnder Byd-eang: Dehongli a Gwireddu ein Dyletswyddau i'r Dieithryn Pell
• Cenedlaetholdeb, Crefydd a Chyfiawnder: Hanes Athroniaeth yr 20fed Ganrif yng Nghymru

Lectures provide a broad structure for each subject, introduce key concepts, and convey relevant up-to-date information. These are outlined in course syllabi.

Seminars provide an opportunity to ask questions and discuss key ideas in a small group environment. Their purpose is to assist you to integrate the information and ideas you receive from lectures and readings and to explore issues critically and in depth. Seminars are kept small and usually average between 12-15 students. This is designed to give you ample opportunity to participate and to provide close contact between you and members of the academic staff.

Different seminar formats are used. Set questions and readings form the basis for discussion by directing your attention to relevant aspects of the subject matter and to various types of sources of information. Giving presentations develops your capacity to gather, organise and synthesise relevant information and ideas and to communicate these in a logical and concise manner. Tutor-led and student-led discussion hones logical skills and gives you practice in applying different concepts, theories and methods to the subject-matter at hand. It also exposes you to different interpretations of political ideas and events. Group problem-solving helps to develop collaborative skills.

Essays and examinations are used not only for assessment purposes but also as a means of developing your capacities to gather, organise, evaluate and deploy relevant information and ideas from a variety of sources in reasoned arguments. Prior advice and written feedback (for essays) are used to help you understand what is required.

Dissertation

The optional final-year dissertation provides you with the opportunity to investigate a specific topic of interest to you in depth and thereby develop your capacities to apply different concepts, theories and methods to the analysis of political questions; acquire detailed knowledge about a particular area of politics; use your initiative in the collection and presentation of material; and present a clear, cogent argument and draw appropriate conclusions.

Pastoral Care

You will be allocated a personal tutor for the entire period you are at the University. Personal tutors are members of the academic staff who are available to students seeking advice, guidance and help.

Politics at Cardiff School of European Languages, Translation and Politics received excellent ratings for both teaching outcomes and teaching delivery in the National Audit of University Teaching Quality.

A list of commonly accepted alternative entry qualifications and admissions and selection criteria for this degree programme can be read here.