| UCAS code | LL28 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Penryn Campus |
| Discipline | Politics and International Relations |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
| UCAS code | LL29 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Penryn Campus |
| Discipline | Politics and International Relations |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
| UCAS code | LL35 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Penryn Campus |
| Discipline | Politics and International Relations |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
Overview
- One of the few programmes in the UK to combine politics and geography
- Our interdisciplinary programme will give you the unique opportunity to question how politics and geography interact to shape the world we live in and learn from internationally-recognised scholars
- You’ll join an intentionally small community of students allowing you to actively discuss and debate your ideas and work closely with academic staff
- Get involved with the Politics and Geography student societies, make friends, attend beach BBQ’s, conservation volunteering, surf trips and hear from guest speakers
- You’ll develop an understanding of the central problems of change and uncertainty in contemporary political and ecological systems that will be valued by public, private and third sectors employers
Top 15 in the UK for Politics
11th in The Complete University Guide 2025
Opportunities to study abroad
We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research
Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021
Top 100 in the world for Politics
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Top 15 in the UK for Politics
11th in The Complete University Guide 2025
Opportunities to study abroad
We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research
Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021
Top 100 in the world for Politics
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | ABB | N/A |
| IB | 32/655 | N/A |
| BTEC | DDM | N/A |
| GCSE | C or 4 | English Language |
| Access to HE | 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade | N/A |
| T-Level | Distinction | N/A |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: BBC |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
Course content
The BA Politics and Geography degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.
You will take half your credits in Politics and the remaining credits in Geography.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEO1401B | Approaches to Geographical Knowledge | 15 |
| GEO1413 | The Geography of Cornwall | 15 |
| POC1033 | Political Communication | 30 |
Optional modules
60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules (of which 15 credits must be selected from stage 1 Politics optional modules and 15 credits from stage 1 Geography optional modules).
For a full list of Politics and Geography modules on Penryn Campus
Penryn Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=hass-cornwall
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POC2124 | Political Analysis | 15 |
| POC2108 | Political Geographies: Local to Global | 15 |
Optional modules
90 credits of optional modules of which at least 30 credits must be selected from stage 2 Politics optional modules and 30 credits from stage 2 Geography optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Politics-Geography Penryn Stage 2 Options 24.25 | ||
| POC2103 | Introduction to Postcolonialism | 15 |
| POC2108 | Political Geographies: Local to Global | 15 |
| POC2114 | Green Politics in Theory and Practice | 15 |
| POC2120 | Power and Democracy | 15 |
| POC2131 | Political Economy | 15 |
| POC2130 | Political Behaviour across Generations and the Life Course | 15 |
| POC2098 | Comparative Politics | 15 |
| POC2005 | American Politics | 15 |
| POC2123 | Politics of the Middle East | 15 |
| POC2088 | Understanding Israel and Palestine: One Land, Two People | 15 |
| POC2018 | National and Community Identity | 15 |
| POC2041 | The Political Psychology of Elites | 15 |
| POC2150 | The Making of Democratic Politicians: Comparative Political Recruitment | 15 |
| POC2047 | Work Placement | 15 |
| GEO2442 | The Politics of Climate Change and Energy | 15 |
| GEO2445 | Rural Social Issues | 15 |
| GEO2454 | Waste and Society | 15 |
| GEO2457 | Physical Ocean Processes | 15 |
| GEO2440 | Geographical Information Science and Systems | 15 |
| GEO2441 | Remote Sensing for Environmental Management | 15 |
| GEO2456 | Social and Cultural Geographies | 15 |
| GEO2451 | Ice Sheets: Glaciology, Climate and the Oceans | 15 |
| GEO2450 | Biogeography | 15 |
| GEO2458 | People and Nature | 15 |
| GEO2444 | Landscape Evolution | 15 |
Students spend this stage in a partner University on an Erasmus/Socrates exchange or other approved programme of study. The year abroad comprises 120 credits. Assessment is normally based on the credits gained at the partner institution abroad.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POC3040 | Dissertation | 30 |
Optional modules
90 credits of optional modules of which at least 30 credits must be selected from final stage Politics optional modules and 30 credits from final stage Geography optional modules.
All Combined Honours students register for POC3040 but will be supervised by staff in Politics or Geography depending on their research interests.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Politics-Geography Penryn Final Stage Options 24.25 | ||
| POC3095 | Environmental Knowledge Controversies | 15 |
| POC3130 | Controversies in American Politics | 15 |
| POC3105 | Negotiating Postcoloniality: History and Politics of Independent India | 15 |
| POC3023 | Entangled Life: Radical Democracy in Theory | 15 |
| POC3141 | Displacement and Migration in the Middle East | 15 |
| POC3153 | Global Palestine and the Politics of Solidarity | 15 |
| POC3103 | The Resource Paradox: Blessing or Curse? | 15 |
| POC3151 | Parliamentary Studies | 15 |
| POC3152 | Representing the People | 15 |
| POC3128 | Post-Soviet Politics and Societies | 15 |
| POC3140 | Religion, Conflict and Reconciliation | 15 |
| POC3146 | Party Politics, Voters and Elections in Britain | 15 |
| POC3147 | Politics of Work | 15 |
| POC3142 | Social and Islamist Armed Movements | 15 |
| POC3094 | Global Policy Challenges | 15 |
| POC3133 | Chinese Politics and Society | 15 |
| POC3150 | The Making of Democratic Politicians: Comparative Political Recruitment | 15 |
| POC3120 | Political Thinkers of the Early Twentieth Century | 15 |
| GEO3437B | Climate Change and Society | 15 |
| GEO3448 | Quaternary Environmental Change | 15 |
| GEO3452 | Literature Review in Environment and Society | 15 |
| GEO3454 | Antarctica: Science from a Frozen Continent | 15 |
| GEO3457 | Geographies of Democracy | 15 |
| GEO3458 | Marine and Coastal Sustainability | 15 |
| GEO3461 | Arctic Frontiers: Can We Preserve the Arctic Environment? | 15 |
| GEO3466 | Biological Oceanography | 15 |
| GEO3467 | Human-Animal Interactions | 15 |
| GEO3469 | Catastropolis | 15 |
Course variants
UCAS code: LL29
Our four-year ‘with Study Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, studying with one of our many partner universities.
Why Study Abroad?
Living and studying in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all key qualities that employers are looking for in today’s competitive employment environment.
Where can I Study Abroad?
We have partnership arrangements with many prestigious institutions across the globe. Exactly where you can apply to study will depend on the subjects you are studying at Exeter. For a full list please visit the Study Abroad website.
Does it count towards my degree?
Credit for academic work during your year abroad is arranged by agreement between the University of Exeter and the host institution. These marks are then translated back into your degree at Exeter. If you are Studying Abroad for a semester or full year, your time abroad will count toward your final degree.
How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?
For the year that you spend studying abroad you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter, but nothing to your host university – for more information visit our fees pages. You will continue to receive a maintenance loan if you are eligible for this whilst on your Study Abroad year.
UCAS code: L256
Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements within the UK as part of your degree.
Why choose to include Employment Experience?
Undertaking graduate-level work during your degree unlocks a world of experience that allows you to develop essential employability and interpersonal skills that relate to your degree and future career. A work placement will dramatically boost your confidence, enhance your CV and develop graduate level skills and competencies that employers are looking for.
Where will I do my work placement?
The sector you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.
How does it affect my tuition fees and funding?
For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
UK students: £9,535 per year
International students: £24,700 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Learning and teaching
How will I learn?
We use a wide range of teaching methods as well as encouraging independent study with an increasing emphasis on seminar discussion and project work in your second and third years:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Project and group work
- Independent study
- Fieldwork
- Laboratory sessions
- Access to the latest geographical information systems (GIS), mapping statistics and coding software
- Interactive computer-based approaches to learning through our virtual learning environment
- Access detailed information about modules and learning outcomes and interact through activities such as the discussion forums, blogging and virtual field trips
- Virtual field trips integrate video and audio data, maps, datasets, documents and published research
Learn from experts
We believe every student benefits from being part of a research-inspired culture. You will discuss the very latest ideas in seminars and tutorials and be taught by expert staff who are actively engaged in research on a wide range of specialisms, including climate change, remote sensing, landscape evolution, energy policy, environment and sustainability, social innovation and cultural landscapes. Teaching and research activities emphasise the value of holistic thinking – looking beyond traditional boundaries to the complex interactions between human societies and non-human environments.
How will I be assessed?
- Essays
- Individual and group presentations
- Projects
- Exams
- Dissertation in your final year
You must pass your first year modules in order to proceed but your performance at this level does not count towards your final degree classification.
Fieldwork
Conducting fieldwork gives you the opportunity to witness the evolution of political process and their impact on society first hand. Depending on the modules you choose this may include:
- Interviews with important stakeholders
- Focus group discussions with community members
- Analysis of politicised spaces
- Public Forums
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Proficiency in a second subject
If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.
- A Foreign Language
- Data Science
- Entrepreneurship
- Innovation
- Law (Penryn Campus only)
- Leadership
- Management
- Social Data Science
Politics in Cornwall
Politics and International Relations programmes in Cornwall are part of a world-class research institution. We are committed to creating a diverse and thriving student community. We believe that this is achieved by providing a supportive learning environment, which nurtures our students through-out your time with us and helps you make the transition from school to university. In addition, in Cornwall, students will benefit from a bespoke learning experience within a diverse cohort of students and an unrivalled commitment to excellence in teaching.
Politics in Cornwall is characterised by its focus on some of the biggest political challenges facing the world today such as inequality, climate change, the global financial crisis, conflict, and the depletion of natural resources, public disillusionment with politics, and the changing balance in world power. We’ll teach you about political systems and theories and apply these to world events and the major issues setting the modern political agenda, giving you real world skills valued by employers.
Find out more on our dedicated Cornwall pages.
Your future
Develop skills valued by employers
As a Politics and Geography graduate you will not only have an understanding of complex political and cultural issues, often in continually changing environments, but also an appreciation for how geography impacts on policy in areas such as sustainability, settlement and space and governance. Throughout your studies you will also develop a range of professional, academic and personal skills including:
- Analytical, critical and independent thinking
- Independent research
- Problem solving
- Discussion and group work
- Collecting, assessing and presenting evidence
- Written and verbal communication
- Articulating ideas and constructing arguments
- Organising, planning and time management
- Data gathering
- Report production and presentation (written and oral)
Career paths
This programme will be particularly beneficial to students with an interest in pursuing careers or postgraduate training in areas such as:
- Local/regional/urban planning
- Green politics and policy
- Sustainability
- International aid/development
- Climate transitions
- Heritage studies
- Border studies/migration policy
- International conflict and security studies
Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award
Many of our students participate in The Exeter Award and The Exeter Leaders Award. These schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.
Developing your skills and career prospects
We provide a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. You will be able to access a range of specific activities such as careers skills sessions and employer-led events, or seek bespoke advice and support from Employability Officers.
The Career Zone also organises a busy schedule of activities including careers fairs, skills workshops, and training events, and can advise on graduate opportunities and volunteering.
Employability sessions
A range of employability sessions are put on for the students which include: career talks with visiting alumni and employers from a range of backgrounds, career conversations and employability seminar series events with employers, a Careers in Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection Careers and Networking event and visits to the Met Office and UKHO.
Royal Geographical Society (RGS) Ambassador Scheme
You will have the opportunity to apply for the RGS Ambassador Scheme. The scheme recruits, trains and supports geographers currently at university and graduate geographers from the work place to act as ambassadors for geography in the classroom. Ambassadors act as positive role models for pupils and can illustrate, with enthusiasm, both the specific and transferable skills they have developed as a geographer. For more information you can visit the RGS Ambassador Scheme website.
Video features the song "Everything is a Jawn" by EVA (https://joshlis.bandcamp.com/) which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/). Edited for length.
