BA (Hons) Philosophy and Politics with a Placement Year
Course
options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- LV5P
- Typical Offer
- BBB
- Contextual Offer
- BCC
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
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Why you should choose us
14th
UEA is ranked 14th overall for research quality Politics and International Studies
Times Higher Education REF 2021 AnalysisCourse Overview
Politics and philosophy are deeply interconnected – one deals with how we organise society, the other with the fundamental ideas that shape our world. At UEA, our BA Philosophy and Politics with a Placement Year degree equips you to analyse complex social challenges from both perspectives. On this version of our Philosophy and Politics course, you’ll normally spend 9-12 months of your third year in a work placement, gaining invaluable real-world experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice.
Working alongside world experts, you'll tackle pressing contemporary issues like democratic reform, environmental justice, and media regulation. This combination of disciplines will develop your ability to think critically about political systems while understanding the philosophical principles that underpin them.
Our flexible programme allows you to engage equally with both subjects while tailoring your studies toward your specific interests. Through dynamic lectures and interactive seminars, you'll refine your ability to construct compelling arguments and defend your vision for social change.
Beyond the classroom, you'll have opportunities to put theory into practice. Join our student-led Politics on Wednesday (POW) series, contribute to the Eastminster politics blog, or participate in debates organised by our active Philosophy and Politics societies. These experiences will connect you with like-minded peers who share your passion for understanding and reshaping society.
The skills you'll develop—critical thinking, persuasive communication, ethical reasoning, and political analysis—are highly valued across diverse professional fields. Graduates regularly pursue successful careers in government, the Civil Service, consultancy, non-governmental organisations, and public relations.
By combining philosophical rigour with political engagement, you'll graduate prepared not just for a career, but for meaningful participation in addressing society's most important challenges.
Placement Year
On this Philosophy and Politics with a Placement Year course, you can spend 9-12 months of your third year on a work placement, developing valuable professional skills in a field related to your interests. While you'll take the lead in securing your placement, UEA's Career Central Service and your School provide comprehensive support throughout the process, beginning in your first year.
Preparatory workshops will help you identify your interests, values, and potential career paths. Philosophy and Politics graduates enter diverse sectors including heritage, business, public service, and creative industries—all offering potential placement opportunities. All placements must meet specific learning outcomes and provide complex tasks that develop transferable skills for your final year and future career.
Placement Flexibility
Alternative arrangements for shorter placements or different timing may be possible with approval from the placement director and Learning and Teaching Services.
Year in Enterprise Option
If you have a promising business concept, you may convert your Placement Year into a 'Year in Enterprise' following assessment of your business plan and academic record. This option provides a structured environment with training and mentoring to launch your venture.
Please note: Students on Student Visas cannot currently undertake a Year in Enterprise due to visa regulations.
Study and Modules
Structure
Your first year establishes a strong foundation across both philosophy and politics through a carefully balanced selection of modules.
In the autumn semester, you'll explore fundamental concepts in both disciplines. The philosophy module examines how major thinkers throughout history have approached questions about life's meaningfulness. Meanwhile, your politics modules introduce essential political theories alongside analysis of rapidly evolving contemporary political landscapes.
Spring semester broadens your perspective by examining how revolutionary ideas have transformed our social and political reality. You'll also have the flexibility to select two additional modules aligned with your personal interests from an extensive range of philosophy and politics offerings. For those seeking to expand their intellectual horizons further, there's the option to choose one module from complementary disciplines beyond your core subjects.
This carefully structured first year ensures you develop the critical thinking skills, theoretical knowledge, and analytical frameworks necessary for more specialised study in subsequent years, while allowing you to begin shaping your unique academic journey.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Your first-year blends engaging lectures, interactive seminars, skills workshops, and personalised support to introduce foundational concepts across philosophy and politics. You'll explore diverse texts spanning classical and contemporary thought while developing essential academic skills through guided independent study.
We create a collaborative learning environment emphasising respectful intellectual exchange where all students are encouraged to contribute ideas and engage critically with different perspectives. This approach helps you develop both the confidence to express your views and the ability to respond constructively to others' arguments.
Each module leader holds regular office hours for one-to-one guidance, complementing your relationship with a dedicated academic adviser who provides ongoing support for your studies, career planning, and personal wellbeing throughout your degree.
You'll be taught by internationally recognised researchers whose work is actively shaping developments in philosophy and political studies, ensuring your education reflects the latest thinking in both disciplines.
Time allocation: 35% structured teaching activities, 65% independent learning.
Assessment
Your first-year features diverse assessment methods including exams, creative projects, oral presentations, and written assignments (essays, blog posts, and journal entries). While these assessments don't count toward your final degree classification, they provide valuable practice and feedback to develop your academic skills and build confidence in expressing your ideas.
Structure
Building on your first-year foundations, your second year offers greater freedom to pursue your emerging intellectual interests through a wider selection of modules across both philosophy and politics.
Many of the available modules are designed to highlight the rich interconnections between philosophical thought and political theory. Options such as existential philosophies and western political philosophy allow you to explore how abstract ideas translate into political movements and systems of governance.
This year also provides valuable opportunities to broaden your perspective, with the option to select up to two modules from other disciplines that complement your core studies. For those eager to gain practical experience, our placement module enables you to apply your developing analytical and critical thinking skills in professional settings relevant to your career aspirations.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 60)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
As you develop greater intellectual autonomy in your second year, independent study becomes even more important, allowing you to immerse yourself in areas that particularly resonate with your interests. Ongoing feedback and one-to-one support will guide your development as a self-motivated individual and creative thinker capable of formulating original arguments.
For those undertaking the placement module, you'll benefit from workplace mentoring alongside academic supervision, helping you connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications in professional contexts.
Time allocation: 25% structured teaching activities, 75% independent learning.
Assessment
Building on your first-year experience, assessments include creative projects, written exams, peer presentations, and essays. Each formal assessment is preceded by preparatory work with detailed feedback to help you refine your approach. These assessments begin to count toward your degree classification, contributing 40% of your final result.
Structure
Your third year will be spent on your placement, providing you with the opportunity to experience the world of work while applying some of the skills and knowledge you’ve developed during your first two years of study.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll spend your third year on a placement. You'll be responsible for securing the placement, supported by UEA’s well-established connections throughout the UK and beyond. During your placement, you’ll be supported by a placement mentor, who will regularly monitor and review your progress with you, and you’ll have access to remote support from UEA, too, to make sure everything is going smoothly and that you’re getting the most out of your experience.
Assessment
You'll be asked to reflect on your placement by, for instance, offering a self-appraisal of what you’ve learnt and demonstrating your broader commercial awareness of your placement’s sector.
Structure
In your final year, you'll be encouraged to select advanced modules from both philosophy and politics. This flexibility allows you to shift the balance toward your preferred discipline or even select a complementary module from outside your main subjects.
Final year modules emphasise independent study, enabling deeper engagement with your chosen areas. You'll have opportunities to examine more thoroughly the interconnections between political and philosophical thinking about history, political order and individual action. Additional modules drawing on both disciplines will challenge you to engage critically with contemporary issues such as climate justice, gender power relations and the liberal principles underpinning Western societies.
A significant component of your final year is the research project module, which culminates in a dissertation completed under individual supervision. This substantial piece of independent research can focus on a philosophical question, a political issue, or an interdisciplinary topic that bridges both fields.
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 30, Max Credits: 90)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 30, Max Credits: 90)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Your final year gives you the chance to focus on your main topics of interest. The highlight of this year is your dissertation—a substantial independent research project where you'll work one-to-one with an academic who specialises in your chosen area, developing a piece of original research that reflects your intellectual interests.
This year emphasises intellectual independence, with structured teaching providing guidance while allowing significant freedom to pursue your academic passions. Through this balance, you'll develop into a confident, creative thinker capable of formulating sophisticated arguments and conducting research—skills highly valued in both academic and professional environments.
Time allocation: 20% structured teaching activities, 80% independent learning
Assessment
Your final year continues with varied assessment methods while adding the opportunity to complete a substantial dissertation on a topic of your choosing under expert supervision. This capstone project demonstrates your ability to conduct independent research and develop sustained, sophisticated arguments. Final-year assessments contribute 60% of your final degree classification, recognising your intellectual maturity.
Employability
After the Course
Our Philosophy and Politics graduates excel across diverse professional fields, equipped with a powerful combination of analytical thinking and practical skills. Your degree will prepare you for careers within and beyond politics by developing:
- Clear, persuasive communication abilities
- Advanced analytical and data interpretation skills
- Creative problem-solving capabilities
- Sophisticated reasoning and argumentation techniques
- The capacity to listen empathetically while attending to crucial details
- Innovative thinking grounded in logical reasoning
- A commitment to ethical principles including justice, fairness, and integrity
These highly transferable skills are valued by employers across sectors including government, civil service, non-governmental organisations, media, education, law, business consulting, and public relations—opening numerous pathways for your future career.
Careers
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- Politics
- Journalism
- Civil service
- Cultural industries
- Teaching or lecturing
- Charity and environmental work
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
BBB
Contextual offer: BCC
BTEC
DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 45 credits at Level 3.
Contextual Offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and pass in 15 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Merit
Foundation Year Options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as BA (Hons) Politics (with a Foundation Year)
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
31 points overall.
Irish Leaving Certificate
2 subjects at H2, 4 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AABBB or above.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
Scottish Advanced Highers
CCC or above.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
BBB.
International Baccalaureate
31 points overall.
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: