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Study politics abroad
An in-depth guide to studying politics as an international student.
Politics degrees abroad
Politics is a broad subject that focuses on how governments, policies, and internal relations work. Politics plays a vital role in our everyday lives, and it covers the issues surrounding things like the influence of power, order, justice and decision-making.
When you study politics at university you’ll learn through a range of different disciplines, and most programs will cover the three main strands of politics: government, international relations, and political theory. It is the ideal subject for anyone who wants to learn more about government and society and the workings of political systems.
Politics is a popular subject to study abroad and means you’ll get the chance to learn all about how another country’s political system works. In some countries like the US, politics degrees may be referred to as political science, but they broadly cover the same subjects.
Politics program structure
You can study politics at all degree levels, including bachelor’s and master’s. At undergraduate level, politics is offered as BA or BSc, depending on the university. There is usually very little difference between the two, but a BSc may include more numerical and statistical modules.
At postgraduate level, it’s possible to study a master’s in politics as an MA or an MRes over one or two years. Doctorate level degrees are also available, and you can study for a PhD in politics over three to four years, or up to six years if you choose to study part-time.
Studying a politics degree abroad will usually involve writing essays, attending lectures and seminars, and working on group projects and presentations. At bachelor’s level you will often complete a research-based dissertation in your final year which will make up a significant part of your final grade.
The content and structure of every politics degree will be different, but there are some core areas and modules you can expect to study on most programs, including:
- Principles of politics
- History of political thought
- International relations
- Political psychology
- Globalization
- Global comparative politics
- Political research
- National governments
How to study politics abroad
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Politics study abroad programs
Politics undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in politics
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History and Politics - Dual BA (Hons) Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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20,253 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,750 GBP
- Start date
- September
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History and Politics - BA University of Dundee, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
23,720 USD
Fee in university's local currency 17,275 GBP
- Start date
- September
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Government & Political Affairs - BA Millersville University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,560 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,560 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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International Relations and Politics - BA (Hons) University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,283 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,500 GBP
- Start date
- September
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Law with Politics - LLB (Hons) Ulster University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,882 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,480 GBP
- Start date
- September
Certificate in politics
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Capital Fellows in Applied Policy and Government - Cert California State University, Sacramento, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,800 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,800 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Pathway in politics
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International Relations and Politics, International Year One - UGP Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,028 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,130 GBP
- Start date
- January, October
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Politics (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,966 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
Politics graduate programs
Master's in politics
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History and Politics - MRes University of Chichester, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,154 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,950 GBP
- Start date
- September
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Business Economics with Marketing and Politics - MA (Hons) University of Dundee, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,587 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,450 GBP
- Start date
- September
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Law and Politics in the European Union - LLM University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 18 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
8,318 USD
Fee in university's local currency 6,840 EUR
- Start date
- September
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Philosophy, Politics and Economics - MA (with foundation) Maynooth University, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,024 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,000 EUR
- Start date
- September, January, June
-
Sociology of Politics and International Relations - MA Nizhny Novgorod State University, Russia
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
4,000 USD
Fee in university's local currency 4,000 USD
- Start date
- October
Doctorate in politics
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Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 6 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,191 USD
Fee in university's local currency 8,150 GBP
- Start date
- October, February
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History and Politics - PhD University of Chichester, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,154 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,950 GBP
- Start date
- September
Pathway in politics
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Politics and International Relations - Pathway in Politics - PGP Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,662 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,320 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
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Politics Pre-Master's Program - PGP Kingston University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 8 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,044 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,500 GBP
- Start date
- January, April
Future politics careers
A degree in politics can lead to a wide variety of great careers, but some roles will require additional studies after you graduate.
Politics graduates gain a range of skills that many employers value, but many students look for a career in government. Here are a few of the most popular careers for politics graduates:
- Politician
- Public affairs consultant
- Public relations executive
- Local government officer
- Politician’s assistant
- Government researcher
- Political consultant
- Lawyer/solicitor
Most universities will have a career service that you can use to help you work out which future role is right for you. Taking advantage of any placement or internship opportunities is another good way to get a taste for the career you’d like to pursue.
