BSc Politics

What is political power? How can we create a fairer society? How can world leaders combat climate change and fight terrorism?

Our Politics degree programme looks at the concepts and theories behind politics, exploring issues such as justice, democracy, liberty, sovereignty and rights.

You’ll compare political systems and practices in diverse cultures and countries, learning about political processes and using empirical analysis to answer the most pressing political and social issues of our time.

As you progress, you’ll be studying topics such as political science, comparative politics, rational choice theory, political economy, public administration and public policy, European politics and political theory.

In your third year, you can complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice – allowing you to pursue an area of specific interest and develop a whole host of transferable skills for your future career.

If you wish to gain further insight into the subject we suggest that you look at one or more of the following books:

The general character of politics

• J Colomer The Science of Politics: an introduction (Oxford University Press, 2011)
• R Goodin The Oxford Handbook of Political Science (Oxford University Press, 2009)
• I Katznelson and H Milner (eds.) Political Science: state of the discipline (Wiley, 2002)

Political thought

Many classic texts of political thought are readily available in a variety of editions:

• Machiavelli The Prince (Penguin, 2003)
• J S Mill Considerations on Representative Government (Serenity Publishers, 2008)
• M Wollstonecraft A Vindication of the Rights of Women (Vintage Classics, 2015)

Political analysis and political institutions

• W R Clark, M Golder and S Nadenichek Golder Principles of Comparative Politics (CQ Press, 2009)
• P Dunleavy and J Dryzek Theories of the Democratic State (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009)
• R Morton Analyzing Elections (Norton, 2006)
• E Ostrom Governing the Commons: the evolution of institutions for collective action (Cambridge University Press, 1990/2015)

The Department of Government is an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research on politics and government.

Within our department, we have 850 undergraduates, postgraduates and research students and more than 40 faculty staff – who come from 80 countries.

Our research focuses on six main areas:

• comparative politics
• conflict studies
• political behaviour and political psychology
• political economy and institutional analysis
• political theory
• public policy and public administration.

The department’s work covers national, sub-national and global politics – with a strong emphasis on public-facing research.

Teaching within the department draws on these strengths and our central role in a prestigious social science institution. As a student, you’ll learn from internationally renowned academics and study in the heart of London, close to the UK’s political heartland in Westminster and the Houses of Parliament.

Our students gain the knowledge and skills to become sharp-minded critical thinkers who apply diverse analytical perspectives to political issues and conflicts around the globe. We encourage students to reflect on what it means to be responsible for addressing urgent public problems and engage in these issues in practical ways to prepare for their future careers. Our graduates find fulfilling roles in government, financial and professional services, teaching and research.

Learn more about our programmes, research, public events and people.

Department of Government

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• an awareness of and genuine interest in current political issues
• a willingness to read extensively
• analytical skills
• an ability to evaluate and challenge conventional views
• initiative
• good communication skills
• excellent time-management skills
• intellectual curiosity
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard.

Formative unassessed coursework

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It is designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the teaching and learning experience at the School. Class teachers must mark formative coursework and return it with feedback to you normally within two weeks of submission (when the work is submitted on time).

Summative assessment (assessment that counts towards your final course mark and degree award)

Some courses will be assessed by written assessment and many contain elements of continuous summative assessment. Please note that assessment on individual courses can change year to year.

You will also receive feedback on any summative coursework you are required to submit as part of the assessment for individual courses (except on the final version of submitted dissertations). You will normally receive this feedback before the examination period.

An indication of the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods

Politics graduates have a range of skills and can fit into a variety of positions in modern life. Our former students have followed careers in business and banking, in law, in central and local government, in teaching and research, in public and university administration, and in journalism and television.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.