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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
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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Political Science - International Politics - BA DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
40,551 USD
Fee in university's local currency 40,551 USD
- Start date
- -
-
Politics - BA University of Hull, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,192 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,000 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Religious Studies (Religion, Politics and Global Affairs) - BA Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
29,834 USD
Fee in university's local currency 29,834 USD
- Start date
- August, May, January
-
Criminology and Politics - BA (Hons) Bath Spa University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,069 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,910 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Politics - BA (Hons) Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,220 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,750 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
Pathway in politics
-
International Relations and Politics, International Year One - UGP Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,999 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,130 GBP
- Start date
- October, January
-
Politics (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,942 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP
- Start date
- September, January
Politics graduate programs
Master's in politics
-
Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature - MPhil University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,172 USD
Fee in university's local currency 8,150 GBP
- Start date
- February, October
-
Business Economics with Marketing and Politics - MA (Hons) University of Dundee, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,550 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,450 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Global Management and Politics - Master's (with placement) Luiss Guido Carli, Italy
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 27 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,638 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,300 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
Global Politics and Communication - MSc University of Helsinki, Finland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,471 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,000 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
History and Politics - MRes University of Chichester, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,123 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,950 GBP
- Start date
- September
Doctorate in politics
-
Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 6 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,172 USD
Fee in university's local currency 8,150 GBP
- Start date
- February, October
-
History and Politics - PhD University of Chichester, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,123 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,950 GBP
- Start date
- September
Diploma in politics
-
International Politics - PGDip/MSc Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma/Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
25,606 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,516 EUR
- Start date
- September
Pathway in politics
-
Politics Pre-Master's Program - PGP Kingston University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 8 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,023 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,500 GBP
- Start date
- January, April
-
Politics and International Relations - Pathway in Politics - PGP Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,631 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,320 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
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.
