Do you want to learn more about government and society and the workings of political systems? Are you interested in the way people, institutions, and ideas interact? This course considers important issues surrounding the influence of power, governance, sovereignty, conflict, order, mediation, obligation, justice, accountability, legitimacy, security, and decision-making. You will be introduced to interdisciplinary approaches to discussions of theoretical, philosophical, historical, institutional, and issue-based concerns revolving around contemporary politics.

This degree will allow you to understand the complex relationship between politics and society. The wide range of modules on offer analyse how political ideas and decisions shape our daily lives and impact our social and cultural experiences and identities. They also look at how those same ideas and systems are themselves influenced by some of the most significant issues that face the world today, including race, gender, the environment, the media, and poverty. If you are interested in the interaction between politics and people, and have a passion for social justice, then this is the course for you.

Our unique and dynamic degree scheme will offer you the opportunity to explore politics from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives including political science, sociology, social policy, philosophy, and history. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures that you understand the multifaceted nature of politics, ensuring you are able engage in contemporary political debates and examine key issues from a wide array of different perspectives.

As well as enabling you to develop a comprehensive understanding of how politics impacts the daily lives of individuals on a local, national, and global level, our degree also ensures that you will develop a wide array of transferable skills that are highly valued both in academia and by employers, such as analysis, evaluation, problem solving and effective communication. You will also have the opportunity to develop these skills in a vocational setting, with many of our students deciding to undertake work experience, with placements being available in a wide array of relevant fields including local government.

This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.

The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.

You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Skills and Employability Services.

You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch.

This course is available with an International Experience Year option where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year. You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.

Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons. With international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinations and partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Bangor and in your host university to improve your language skills.

You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option at any time during your degree at Bangor and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.

Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on the Student Exchanges section of our website.