Venues

Gilmorehill Campus

Content

Year 1: Initially you will study two courses: Introduction to liberal democracy: deals primarily with the British, Scottish and European political systems. Comparative politics: deals with a number of different countries using a comparative analytical framework.

You will also study two other subjects in year 1 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2: Your second year will also comprise two courses: History of political thought: examines political thought from the ancients, primarily Aristotle, through Machiavelli, Hobbes and Locke to Rousseau and Karl Marx. International relations: uses some of the ideas of important writers to explain aspects of the international order.

You will also study one or two other subjects in year 2 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Years 3 and 4: If you successfully complete the courses in first and second years you may progress to two further years of study for an Honours degree.

You can choose to take Politics on its own as a Single Honours degree, or in combination with another subject as a Joint Honours degree.

Single Honours students are required to take a general paper and a dissertation, plus nine courses chosen from a range of options over two years.

There are about 30 courses you can choose from during Honours, taught by academic staff who specialise in the themes and topics covered.

Entry Requirements

2025 entry requirements

Standard entry: 6 Highers at AAAAAA (by end S6 with min AAABB after S5) including English and a humanities subject. Higher Maths recommended.

Widening access entry: 5 Highers at AAABB/ABBBB (by end S6 with min ABB after S5) including English and a humanities subject. Higher Maths recommended. Completion of pre-entry programme is necessary.