BSc Politics

at London School of Economics

The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. 

Anthropology, International History and Sociology specialism
Students who have taken and passed the equivalent of at least three full units of courses in either Anthropology, International History or Sociology will be offered the opportunity to receive a specialism in this subject attached to their degree certificate and transcript.
 
The courses in the specialism can be taken at any level, though must include at least one unit in the specialism department in the third year of the programme, and they will not be confined to certain courses or types of courses in any of the three other departments. Students do not have to declare formal intent to pursue a specialism at any point.

Students who choose to take courses in these subjects are not obligated to receive a specialism, but have the option if they wish. Degree certificates which include a specialism will state the subject in the title, for example: BSc Politics (with International History).

First year
In your first year you will take two compulsory politics courses, and LSE100. You will also choose two optional courses. 

(* denotes a half unit course)

Introduction to Political Theory
Examines the foundations of Western political thought, followed by modern political theory.

Introduction to Political Science
Examines the comparative analysis of a range of political phenomena, including the forms of states and regimes, theories of elections and voting, political ideologies, the causes and consequences of democracy, and the management of the economy.

One course from a list of options inside and outside the department

Approved outside options to the value of one unit

LSE100*
A half unit, running across Michaelmas and Lent Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems through research-rich education.

Second year
In your second year, you will choose from a range of government options covering the different subfields of political science. These are designed to give you a grasp of the comprehensive character of the study of politics.

Three government options

Either

One further government option

Or

One approved outside option

Third year
In the third year you will take more advanced courses, following on from the areas of study introduced in the second year. You will choose from a range of government options, including a dissertation, and will have the option to take courses from outside the Government Department.

Courses to the value of two units from a range of government options

Either

One further government option

Or

Dissertation

An independent research project of 10,000 words.

Or

One approved outside option

Either

One further government option

Or

One approved outside option

Below we list our entry requirements in terms of GCSEs, A-Levels (the entry requirements should be read alongside our A-level subject combinations information) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK and from overseas.
 

GCSEs
 

• A strong set of GCSE grades including the majority at A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9)
• GCSE English Language and Mathematics grades should be no lower than B (or 6)
• We also consider your overall GCSE subject profile

A-levels*

AAA
We also consider your AS grades, if available.

Contextual admissions A-level grades**
AAB

IB Diploma
38 points overall , including 766 at higher level

Contextual admissions IB grades**
37 points overall , including 765 at higher level

Every undergraduate student is charged a fee for each year of their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees

Home students:
The 2023 tuition fee for new Home students has not yet been set. As a guide the 2022 fee for Home students is £9,250 per year. The Home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Government

Median salary of our UG students six months after graduating: £29,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:
 

• Accounting and Auditing
• Education, Teaching and Research
• Government, Public Sector and Policy
• Information, Digital Technology and Data
• FMCG, Manufacturing and Retail

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2018-19 were the second group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

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.