Politics 2012

Un

derg

radu

ate

stud

y

Politics andinternational studies

Entry 2012

Why Hull? | 1

Frequently askedquestions | 3

Admissions | 6

Which degree? | 8

Undergraduatestudy | 14

Careers | 16

For students entering with A levels, we would normally expect three passes at thegrades shown in the table. Applicants with qualifications other than A levels shouldconsult the Undergraduate Prospectus for information about acceptableequivalents. Contact the Admissions Service via www.hull.ac.uk/admissions if youhave any queries.

We will consider applicants with fewer than three A levels, although we do notnormally expect AS alone to be a suitable basis for admission. We support theintroduction of Key Skills in the post-16 curriculum and we will take it into accountwhen considering applications.

Degree course UCAS code Average Lengthentry grades (years)

Politics L200 BA/P ABB (320 pts) 3Politics and InternationalRelations L254 BA/PIR ABB (320 pts) 3Globalisation and Governance LL92 BA/GloGov ABB (320 pts) 3British Politics and LegislativeStudies L230 BA/BPLS AAB (340 pts) 4*War and Security Studies L252 BA/WSS ABB (320 pts) 3History and Politics LV21 BA/HP ABB (320 pts) 3Philosophy and Politics LV25 BA/PhP ABB (320 pts) 3Politics, Philosophy andEconomics L0V0 BA/PPE ABB (320 pts) 3Politics, Philosophy andEconomics (includingFoundation EnglishLanguage) LVQ0 BA/PPEFEL ABB (320 pts) 4Politics, Philosophy and Law LVM0 BA/PPL ABB (320 pts) 3Politics, Philosophy and Law(including FoundationEnglish Language) VLM0 BA/PPLFEL ABB (320 pts) 4Religion and Politics VL62 BA/RP BBC–BBB 3

(280–300 pts)Law and Legislative Studies ML12 LLB/LLS AAB (340 pts) 4*Law with Politics MIL2 BA/LP ABB (320 pts) 3

* Year 3 is spent in Westminster with a Member of Parliament.

In this pamphlet we have tried to present as full a picture of Politics andInternational Studies at Hull as possible, but no doubt we haven’t thought ofeverything. Further information on admissions is available in our entry in theUniversity’s Undergraduate Prospectus; and if you do apply to Hull, we hope youwill come to one of our open days, where there will be plenty of opportunities to askquestions. But if there is anything you need to know now, please write to or email us(contact details are given on pages 6–7).

Admissions contactKay NockAdmissions CoordinatorFaculty of Arts and SocialSciences

University of HullHull, HU6 7RX01482 [email protected]

Dates of semestersSemester 124 Sep – 14 Dec 2012

Semester 228 Jan – 10 May 2013

Key facts

Politics and international studieswww.hull.ac.uk 1

Our Department of Politics and International Studies is extremelyhighly regardedIndependent surveys show that the Department of Politics and InternationalStudies is one of the finest in the UK. Its student-centred approach, range ofcourses, staff expertise and employer networks combine to make it a studentdestination second to none.

• The Guardian University Guide 2012 ranked us among the top eight politicsdepartments nationally for the quality of our teaching.

• The 2010 National Student Survey placed the department in the UK’s top 10 forlearning and teaching.

• The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise stated that 75% of our staff’s researchwas ‘internationally recognised’, with 33% ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’.

Nowhere, we believe, are students better looked after• In the 2010 National Student Survey, 94% of our students praised staff’s ability to

explain things.• We have a fully structured student support system within the department. Every

student is allocated a personal supervisor who will want to ensure that all isgoing well for you (and will be your first point of contact if it is not). Heads of Yearadd another layer of support for students.

• Our student-run societies (the Politics Society and the War Society) have full staffsupport and organise meetings addressed by politicians and leading academicsas well as social gatherings.

• The Staff–Student Committee, your formal means of participating indepartmental governance, meets to ensure that we know your views and act onthem.

• Like all Hull students you have access to our outstanding Careers Service. Forfurther details, check out their website at www.hull.ac.uk/careers.

Even after they have graduated, many former students keep in touch throughouttheir careers. Our Graduates Association is an active body, organising meetings,often at the House of Commons, and maintaining a strong sense of communityamong different generations of Hull graduates.

Why Hull?

In some universitiesyou will almost nevermeet the most seniormembers of staff; atHull all staffparticipate fully inour teachingprogramme.

Politics and international studies2

Our students are exceptionally successful not just in getting jobs butin getting the best jobsThe University of Hull has an exceptionally good track record in the area of graduateemployability. In addition, Politics staff in particular are integral to a range ofpolitical and academic networks – something that really matters when you are jobhunting. The Graduates Association’s Public Affairs Directory, now in its 10thedition, puts you in contact with other members of the ‘Hull Mafia’ and brings youto the attention of blue-chip employers who have hired our graduates before andare keen to do so again. We say much more about careers later in this pamphlet.

The University of Hull is among the most student-friendly in thecountryThe Daily Telegraph rightly called Hull, with its attractive tree-lined campus threemiles from the city centre, the ‘friendly university’. In partnership with the students’union we cater for most of your social, intellectual and leisure needs on campus.There are societies, films, bars, gigs, sports and debating opportunities. We have arenowned Art Collection, the Donald Roy Theatre (one of the best universitytheatres in Europe), shops (including a Waterstone’s bookshop) and a regularmarket. And, with many bistro-style cafes dotted around the campus, it will not takeyou long to discover your own favourite haunts.

Our academic staff are national and international experts in their fieldOur work has been independently (and competitively) assessed as being ofinternational excellence. Our research is commissioned by local, national andinternational bodies. We regularly give policy advice to ministers.

In some universities you will almost never meet the most senior members of staff; atHull all staff participate fully in our teaching programme. We believe that ourresearch helps bring our teaching to life, and that integrating the two enables us tocreate an academic community embracing everyone from the most senior professorto the newest first-year undergraduate. It is into that community that we shall, ifyou join us, be proud to welcome you.

Further information about our staff, their expertise and their research interests areavailable from our website via www.hull.ac.uk/fass.


This section contains brief information, all of itexpanded later.

What degrees do you offer?We offer five Single Honours degrees and nine Joint orCombined Honours degrees, as listed on page 6.

How many A levels do I need?Normally three passes. Otherwise you will need todemonstrate different strengths and achievements, andsatisfy us that you have the ability to obtain a degree. ASalone is seldom enough; but if you had whollyexceptional reasons for not progressing, tell us what theyare and we will look at them carefully: we know well thatsome people without A levels can, with the rightsupport, turn into excellent students. We do not requireKey Skills but take them into account as appropriate. Seethe inner front cover for typical grade offers.

Do I need to have A level Politics?No. We seek only an interest in the subject and awillingness to learn about it.

Do you count General Studies as an A level?Yes.

What about international students?We actively welcome the presence of internationalstudents, whether or not they have A levels.International applications are processed speedily by postor electronically. See page 6.

What about mature students?The University encourages applications from people ofall ages and backgrounds. We consider applicants on thebasis of academic qualifications at Level 3 (A level orequivalent) and/or on the basis of other relevantknowlege and skills. Admissions tutors may interviewsome applicants.

I’m thinking of taking a gap year. Am I allowedto defer my entry?Yes: while we appreciate that for some earning money isthe main priority, ideally we hope you can use the year todo something creative or adventurous, making it aperiod to look back on with pleasure and pride. If youdecide to take a year out, we wish you well and will holdyour place for the following year. Though a gap year isnot for everyone, for some people it enables them tobring more knowledge and experience to their studiesthan if they had joined us straight from school.

I want a good job. Why should I study politics?A Hull politics degree aims to give you a head start inapplying for posts in the civil service, journalism,television, public relations, international governmentaland non-governmental organisations and charities. Butour graduates work in a far wider range of fields thanthis. For examples and more details see page 16.

A degree from this department can also be of great helpto those hoping to climb the greasy pole of politics itself.Several of our graduates are currently MPs, a senior staffmember is a Member of the House of Lords (as areseveral former staff members), and our British Politicsand Legislative Studies BA enjoys a formidablereputation with all the main parties at Westminster.

Do you interview applicants?The only formal interview is for our British Politics andLegislative Studies degree. However, we like to meetthose to whom we intend making a formal offer, so if youare in that position you will be invited to an open day.This will give you and your parents a chance to meetboth staff and students, and to satisfy yourselves thatHull is the right university for you.

How much flexibility will I have in what I study?A lot. In fact you will have a wide choice of modules, andyour options will increase as the course progresses. Wedescribe the structure of our degrees on page 14. Somemodules involve intensive teaching for one semester,others less intensive teaching over a whole year, so ourstructure is tailored to suit all tastes and learning styles.

If I come to Hull, will I have the chance to do apractical placement?Yes. The department offers two placement schemesthrough its Westminster Hull Internship Programme(WHIP). The well-established British Politics andLegislative Studies degree includes one year working foran MP at Westminster. All other Single Honours studentsare eligible to apply for a One Semester Internship. Thisexciting opportunity, fully integrated into ourassessment structure, allows selected students to spendone semester of their final year at Westminster or at alocation relevant to their degree course. We also offeropportunities to study abroad at universities in HongKong, Europe and across North America and Australia.For more information please visit our website viawww.hull.ac.uk/fass.

Frequently asked questions

TheGuardian

Univ

ersi

tyG

uide

2012

rank

edus

amon

gth

eto

pei

ghtp

oliti

csde

part

men

tsna

tiona

llyfo

rthe

qual

ityof

ourt

each

ing;

the

2010

Nat

iona

lSt

uden

tSur

vey

plac

edus

inth

eUK

’sto

p10

forl

earn

ing

and

teac

hing

;and

rece

ntst

atis

tics

show

that

86%

ofHu

ll’s

polit

ics

stud

ents

prog

ress

toem

ploy

men

torf

urth

erst

udy

with

insi

xm

onth

sof

grad

uatin

g.

Partyinvitation

Our Westminster Hull InternshipProgramme is an amazing

opportunity: a year’s placement orsemester-long internship with an MP.It’s helped create such a landslide ofour graduates into the corridors of

power – as MPs, civil servants,researchers and political journalists –

that they’ve become known as ‘theHull mafia’.

©Pa

rlia

men

tary

copy

righ

tim

ages

are

repr

oduc

edw

ith

the

perm

issi

onof

Parl

iam

ent.


We offer five Single Honours degrees and nineHonours degrees taught in collaboration with otherdepartments:

Single Honours degrees• Politics (UCAS code L200 BA/P)• British Politics and Legislative Studies (L230 BA/BPLS)• Globalisation and Governance (LL92 BA/GloGov)• Politics and International Relations (L254 BA/PIR)• War and Security Studies (L252 BA/WSS)

Joint degrees• History and Politics (LV21 BA/HP)• Philosophy and Politics (LV25 BA/PhP)• Politics, Philosophy and Economics (L0V0 BA/PPE)• Politics, Philosophy and Economics (including

Foundation English Language) (LVQ0 BA/PPEFEL)• Politics, Philosophy and Law (LVM0 BA/PPL)• Politics, Philosophy and Law (including Foundation

English Language) (VLM0 BA/PPLFEL)• Religion and Politics (VL62 BA/RP)• Law and Legislative Studies (ML12 LLB/LLS)• Law with Politics (M1L2 BA/LP)

We give individual consideration to every applicationand look for a wide range of evidence that you will be agood student. When we read your UCAS application wenot only look at your academic achievements andforecasts; we also consider your school’s view of yourcharacter; evidence of leadership, sporting achievementor community service; skills and interests; how youpresent yourself on paper; and evidence of a genuineinterest in politics. Typical offers are as shown in thetable on the inner front cover.

All candidates who are offered a place are also invited toan open day. These give you and your family a chance tofind out more about us, to meet academic staff and totalk to our present students. We appreciate that,especially for candidates from overseas, time, distanceand cost may make it impossible for you to visit uspersonally, so for you we have constructed what we hopeis an informative website at www.hull.ac.uk/pas. Butwhere possible a visit is preferable, and we urge all UK-based candidates able to do so to attend.

We accept General Studies as a full A level and do notrequire you to be studying Politics. In fact we have nopreference at all as to what subjects you are taking. Wekeep a close eye on A level syllabuses to ensure that ifyou have not studied Politics you will not bedisadvantaged and that if you have you will not bebored.

Informal enquiries are welcome: just phone ourAdmissions Coordinator, Kay Nock – her contact detailsappear on page 7. Kay will deal with queries promptlyand efficiently. Or, to contact our DepartmentalAdmissions Tutor, email [email protected].

Mature studentsWe welcome applications from mature students. We treatall applications on their merits, and, while we naturallyprefer you to have pursued further education sinceleaving school, we understand that this is not alwayspossible and that you may have had life experienceswhich have taught you things of equal or greater value.Not least in fairness to you, we do, however, checkcarefully that you have the ability and commitment toobtain a degree, and applicants without the usualqualifications will be interviewed.

International studentsWe actively welcome applications from internationalcandidates: every year students from all parts of theglobe add much to our community. We look carefully atyour qualifications, be they A levels, the International orEuropean Baccalaureate, or any other qualification. IfEnglish is not your first language we naturally requireevidence of proficiency. Our normal requirements areIELTS Band 6, Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency inEnglish (CPE) Grade C or TOEFL iBT 8+. Manyinternational students arrive in August and take theLanguage Institute’s excellent introductory programme.This helps you linguistically, inducts you to our cultureand helps you meet other international students.

We recognise fully how challenging, and yet exciting,studying abroad is, and our staff here are experienced inhelping you settle in. From the moment we offer you aplace you will be allocated an international admissionssupervisor whom you can email at any time with anyqueries, and who will ensure that you are fully preparedfor your time with us.

We welcome European exchange and North AmericanJYA students. The latter should normally have at least a3.0 grade point average.

Students with disabilitiesWe welcome applications from disabled candidates, forwhom we have excellent facilities in the Miriam HebronCentre. See the Disability Services website atwww.hull.ac.uk/disability, and do not hesitate to contactus for further advice and information before applying.

Further information

Admissions

Kay NockAdmissions CoordinatorFaculty of Arts and Social SciencesUniversity of HullHull, HU6 7RX01482 [email protected]


If you don’t comewith a particularspecialism in mindbut want to samplewhat the subject hasto offer and then planyour own course, theBA Politics is a smartchoice.


BA Politics

Our BA in Politics provides a broad knowledge and understanding of politicalprocesses and institutions. If your interest in politics is wide-ranging and youdo not want to commit yourself to a more specialised choice when you apply,this degree could be for you. It will steer you into the core knowledge of thediscipline, enabling you to choose second- and third-year modules on thebasis of your developing interests and career aspirations.

In your first year you receive a solid foundation in politics, taking introductorymodules covering political philosophy, comparative politics, international relationsand British political history. In short we equip you with the core knowledgenecessary to make sense of the discipline as a whole. As well as a module of yourchoice from outside the department, first-year modules will include

• British Political History since 1945• Human Nature, Society and the State• New Media and Politics

In the second and third years your core teaching reduces and your choices increase.You may have identified a career preference where specialisation is advisable, orhave developed a fascination for one broad area of study – from European politicsto South-East Asia, from security studies to the US presidential system. Alternativelyyou may prefer to be free to pick a variety of new topics and leave us with a matureand wide-ranging grasp of the political ideas and processes that influence so muchof our lives. Have a look at our website via www.hull.ac.uk/fass for a comprehensivelist of the many modules on offer.

In the second year you not only study the British governmental system, politicaltheory, and research in politics but also make your own choices from a wide rangeof options. In your third year you have an even greater choice of coursework and,closely guided and supported by an appropriate member of staff, write adissertation on any relevant topic of your choice.

If you don’t come with a particular specialism in mind but want to sample what thediscipline has to offer and then be increasingly free to plan your own course, the BAPolitics, our largest-intake degree, is a very smart choice. And don’t forget that as astudent on this degree you will be eligible to take part in our internship programme.

Which course?

‘After coming to visit, I knew theUniversity and the British Politicsand Legislative Studies coursewere made for me. It was nosurprise to find out that Hull hadbeen called ‘the friendlyuniversity’ – or that theincredibly lively and enthusiasticPolitics Department had beenvoted the friendliest departmentin the friendly university. Evenbetter was the course! Where elsecan you get such phenomenalaccess and contact-makingopportunities within Parliament?But it wasn’t just the course thathad me hooked – the Uni itselfhas so much to offer students, insocial and extra-curricular aswell as academic activities. Andwith so much support beingoffered, I’ve been able torevitalise the Politics Society!’

Aaron SpeerBA British Politics and Legislative Studies


BA British Politics and LegislativeStudies (BPLS)

This unique four-year degree includes a one-yearplacement in the House of Commons.

As this is a more specialised course than our BA Politics,we offer you more of a steer in your module choices andyou will take modules in British Politics, Parliament andComparative Legislatures. We still believe in maximisingchoice, however, so you will also benefit from the wideand varied range of module options available in thedepartment. You will thus have a strong theoretical andpractical grounding in parliamentary procedures andbehaviour but your learning, if specialised, will not benarrow. The days are long gone when an understandingof Britain alone was sufficient to enable specialists tomake sense of our history and politics. So in your firstyear in particular you will be introduced not only toBritish politics, but also to both political theory andinternational relations.

At the Palace of Westminster you will take twopractitioner-led seminar courses and enjoy the rareprivilege of being able to undertake the original researchon which to base your final-year dissertation. Above all,however, you will be assigned to an individual MP (whomay be from any party). MPs who have supervised ourrecent students include Austin Mitchell, Ed Balls, ChrisSmith, Michael Howard, Ann Widdecombe, BernardJenkin, Bruce George, David Davis, Yvette Cooper, LembitOpik and William Hague.

BPLS is for you if you have an interest in parliamentarypolitics or are considering a career in politicalconsultancy, parliamentary research, the civil service orthe media, and BPLS graduates are especially attractiveto ‘public affairs’ employers. The QAA (QualityAssurance Agency for Higher Education) agreed: theydescribed BPLS as an ‘invaluable learning experience’,and the numerous graduates of this prestigious coursewould be quick to concur.

BA Globalisation and Governance

Global economic trends affect both rich and poor asprofoundly as, if more subtly than, more dramaticevents such as war and terrorism. The ways in whichgovernments and trans-governmental organisationsmanage international commerce is as much apolitical as an economic issue, so this degree isimmensely attractive to people wishing to studysuch aspects of international politics as trade,development and globalisation.

You will find the BA in Globalisation and Governanceespecially helpful if you are considering job huntingamong international charities promoting economicdevelopment or human rights, economic organisationssuch as the World Bank, IMF or WTO, or themultinational corporations which are now such bigplayers on the world stage. We know you will encounterstiff competition in these areas, but many past studentshave been successful, and, while we make no promises,we shall certainly do our best to help you do as well asthey have, if not better.

Globalisation and Governance involves studyinginternational and global phenomena as well as theincreasing number of institutions with intertwinedpolitical, economic and social dimensions. A particularfeature of this degree is that by drawing upon ourexpertise in specific geographical areas you will be ableto acquire an in-depth knowledge of a whole range ofrelevant issues. These include world economic order anddisorder; economic globalisation and regionalisation;trade, aid and development; the non-military projectionof power; and relationships among states, markets andglobal organisations.

As with our other specialist degrees, you will take somebroader-based politics modules as well, but we offer aclear specialist focus, and in your third year you will,with expert guidance, write a dissertation of 15,000words on a topic of your choice.

And don’t forget that as a student on this degree you willbe eligible to take part in our internship programme.


BA Politics and InternationalRelations

Recent terrorist attacks and the enduring terrors ofpoverty, disease and warfare remind us that worldpolitics is, literally, a matter of life and death. Thisdegree looks beyond the headlines to study wealth,poverty, international law, internationalorganisation, non-governmental organisations andmilitary strategy – the themes and issues that driveinternational politics today.

In the first year you take introductory modules in worldpolitics, warfare, the Cold War and comparative politics.Thereafter you have considerable latitude to structureyour own course with optional modules covering areasas diverse as the global economy, development,international organisations, European politics, foreignpolicy, and the causes and conduct of war.

The degree is ideally suited to those hoping for a careerin foreign affairs, the media or global commerce. Thecourse will also meet your needs if you have a generalinterest in global politics but do not want to pursue acareer in it. In fact we have increasingly found that in anever more interconnected world many ‘blue-chip’employers in a wide range of areas favour applicantswho can demonstrate a sound grasp of internationalaffairs.


BA War and Security Studies

This exciting and imaginative degree gives you athorough understanding of the nature and politicalfunctions of war and armed conflict from bothhistorical and contemporary perspectives, as well asof the role of armed force in maintaining peace andsecurity.

You will spend your first year studying conflict andterrorism in the new world order and the nature of waritself; and you will also make a study of the First andSecond World Wars and the Cold War. In your secondyear you will take more advanced modules in modernstrategy, foreign policy, and international security anddefence policy. In addition you will be able to choosefrom a wide range of options, including

• Sea Power• Air Power• Insurgency and Peace Support• Conventional War since 1945

In your third year you will write a specialist dissertationunder close and expert supervision. You will also bepresented with a range of possible areas of study,including

• Intelligence and National Security• Global Communications and International Politics• International Politics of the Environment• Nuclear Strategy• The Vietnam War• British Defence Policy since 1945

This degree will equip you for a wide range of careers,not only in such areas as the armed forces (including thespecial forces), the intelligence service, the DiplomaticCorps and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, butalso in the many professions where a combination ofanalytic ability and up-to-date knowledge ofinternational relations and security is at a premium.



Degrees with other departments

A joint degree is a perfect choice if you have an interest in two distinct butrelated disciplines. Joint Honours degrees naturally tend to be slightly lessflexible than Single Honours because you have to master the basics of twosubjects, but we have never found this to be a problem. On the contrary,students who take our joint degrees often value the opportunity of, as it were,getting two subjects for the price of one.

We offer four Joint and four Combined Honours degrees:

• History and Politics• Philosophy and Politics• Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE)• Politics, Philosophy and Economics (including Foundation English Language)• Politics, Philosophy and Law• Politics, Philosophy and Law (including Foundation English Language)• Law and Legislative Studies• Law with Politics

Joint degrees are split 50:50, so you take half your modules in one department andhalf in the other; PPE entails an equal three-way split involving also the Departmentof Philosophy and the Business School.


‘I wasn’t sure of Hull before I came to visit but,having travelled up on my own to the open day, Iimmediately felt like I belonged. Everyone was sofriendly and accommodating! I had beenprimarily interested in history, so it was a shock tomost when I chose a politics degree. I had neverstudied politics before and wasn’t sure of what toexpect. But my tutors were fantastic. They neverleft me stranded. Many women are wary whenapplying to a course like War and Security Studiesas they believe it will be male-dominated. This istrue, but in the years I’ve been here I’ve seen thatwomen are just as capable of discussing suchsubjects. The draw to Hull is not just academic.We also have a fantastic students’ union withsocieties for everyone. I’ve always been involvedin the War and Security Society (or WarSoc), and Irecently became its first female president. It’sgreat fun and a good way to get to know thepeople on your course and to get help fromstudents in the years above. I’m so glad I pickedthe Politics Department – the staff (academic andadministrative) are great. Whatever you wantfrom your university experience, politics at Hull isthe way to go!’Lisa KingBA War and Security Studies

Our modules coveralmost every area ofpolitics: few otheruniversities can offersuch diversity.


Degree structureOne of the strengths of Hull degrees is that they are all modular. Each has a set ofcore modules which cover the essential elements of the degree, together with arange of optional modules which allow you to tailor the degree to your own interestsand needs.

Though naturally your module pattern will vary according to the degree you take,the overall logic of the scheme is consistent. All degrees begin with mainly coremodules designed to ensure that you have the essential knowledge to proceed, andthen allow you as much choice as possible in designing the rest of your course. Infact our final-year modules cover almost every area of politics: few other politicsdepartments can offer such diversity. And, because we are quite a large department,we can offer a very wide range of modules.

You can expect to take six modules a year – four you will complete in a singlesemester and two you can take at a more leisurely pace over a full year. And you arefree to take one of these modules in another department; indeed we encourage youto do so, as this can be a mind-broadening experience.

For full and up-to-the-minute details of the range of modules on offer, go to ourwebsite via www.hull.ac.uk/fass.

Teaching and learningWe like to think that our department combines academic excellence withfriendliness and informality. All the team, academic and secretarial, are veryapproachable and take a keen interest in students’ progress and development. Wewere especially pleased that the 2010 National Student Survey ranked us so highly(UK’s top 10) for learning and teaching, reflecting the level of support we offerstudents and the learning facilities available to them, because these are areas towhich we are strongly committed and to which we have devoted much effort. Notsurprisingly, we have very low levels of withdrawal and academic failure.

Teaching qualityTeaching in Politics is of very high quality, well thought through and ofteninnovative. Intended learning outcomes are made clear to students, sessions areeffectively organised, and pace and methods are appropriate. Examples of bestpractice include the use of role play within tutorials and the successful running ofseminar groups by the students themselves.

Undergraduate study

The University’sBrynmor JonesLibrary has a widerange of specialistholdings, including aEuropeanDocumentationCentre and aCollection ofParliamentaryPapers.


Academic facilities and supportThe University’s Brynmor Jones Library holds 270,000 items in the social sciences,of which 40,000 are in politics, with 360 politics periodicals and 82 web-basedjournals. We have a wide range of specialist holdings, including a EuropeanDocumentation Centre and a Collection of Parliamentary Papers. We have excellentIT facilities, with 1,000 PCs on campus, some of them in our 24-Hour Centre, anddial-in access for students. Study-bedrooms are networked, and IT support isavailable in halls of residence.

Should you wish to perfect your language skills (or your skills in English if you arean international student) or learn a new one, our state-of-the-art Language LearningCentre is available to you: have a look at the Modern Languages website viawww.hull.ac.uk/fass.

The University’s Study Advice Service offers educational support and guidance inkey areas such as IT skills, academic English, study skills and numeracy. Ourdepartmental study skills programmes, designed with politics students in mind,will help you adjust to the demands of your particular course of study.

Personal supportThe University has always given a high priority to student support. A professionaland confidential Counselling Service is available if you have difficulties that youwould prefer to discuss with someone outside the department. Our excellent multi-faith chaplaincies are a source of friendship and support to many, while for Muslimswe have a dedicated prayer room. The Careers Service, one of the best there is, offersadvice at any time during (and beyond) your stay with us. Nightline is a confidentiallistening and information service provided by the students’ union. The union’sAdvice Centre offers free and impartial advice and information.

Last but by no means least, as a member of the department you will have a personalsupervisor as a first port of call in case of problems. He or she will have dedicatedoffice hours when you are welcome to look in without appointment; in practice,though, we try to be accessible most of the time.

Teaching style and assessmentIn most modules you will learn in a combination of lectures and small tutorials orseminars; by the final year virtually all your learning will be in seminars only. Ouremphasis on small-group work (most of our groups are for about 8–12 students)permits and encourages high levels of student participation, and makes ourteaching varied, creative and stimulating. Modules are assessed at the end of thesemester in which they are taught, normally by a mixture of essay and examination.First-year assessment is ‘qualifying’ only. This means that you must pass the year toqualify to progress to the second year, but your marks do not count towards yourdegree. Your degree classification is calculated on the basis of second- and third-year module and dissertation marks.


Hull politics graduates enter a wide range of careers in politics, publicrelations, the media, business, management, finance and administration. Formore details have a look at our Graduates Association website (go to Politicsvia www.hull.ac.uk/fass).

Many graduates stay in touch through membership of the Graduates Association, avery active body which organises a number of meetings each year, often at theHouse of Commons. The number of alumni working in public affairs is such that theGraduates Association publishes a Public Affairs Directory, the vehicle by whichsenior graduates offer help and networking opportunities to junior colleagues onthe understanding that, one day, it will be their turn to do the same. Notsurprisingly the phrase ‘Hull Mafia’ is widely used to describe London-basedgraduates in particular.

Political activityA number of former students have been elected as Members of the British andEuropean Parliaments. Some are or have been Special Advisers to Cabinetministers; one was Special Adviser to the Prime Minister. Politics graduates haveworked in the headquarters of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democratparties. One is presently Assistant Director of the Conservative ResearchDepartment; others serve as research assistants to MPs or MEPs.

Civil servantsHull graduates are to be found in the Home Office, the Department for Educationand Skills, the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office. Others serve in theScottish and Northern Ireland civil services and the European Commission.

The mediaA number of our graduates have secured jobs in the printed and electronic media.Some work in the BBC as editors or producers; some work for ITN (in one case asProgramme Editor) and Channel 4; others are with independent productioncompanies, national newspapers and the regional media.

UniversitiesOthers have taken lecturing and research posts at, for example, the LSE and theUniversities of Oxford, Bath, Exeter, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne,Nottingham, Strathclyde, Ulster and Wales.

Political consultantsMany graduates have been snapped up by Westminster-based political consultancyfirms such as APCO, Connect Public Affairs, GJW, LSA Charles Barker, Shandwickand Westminster Strategy. Others have taken posts as parliamentary officers forleading firms and charities.

Careers

Studying for a degree at the University of Hull is a unique experience. We aimto provide you with an education that offers both depth and breadth ofknowledge. To meet these ends the University has developed an optional FreeElective Scheme. This scheme enables the majority of undergraduate studentsto take one module a year from outside their main course of study.

So, how does it work?Each year you take 120 credits’ worth of modules.

What sort of subjects can I take?You can take almost any free elective module from outside your main course ofstudy, usually at your home campus. You can even take a module from anotherfaculty. The catalogue of free electives might include

• Space Science: Fact and Fiction• Computers and Applications• The Idea of Europe• Introduction to Psychology• Modern Science Fiction• History through Film• Fitness Training Principles• Anarchism and Contemporary Global Protest• Hit the Ground Running – Career Tactics for the 21st Century

among a wide range of other modules from diverse subject areas.

What are the main reasons for participating?• The scheme gives you the opportunity to study a subject without having to

commit yourself to taking further modules in that subject area.• By taking a free elective you are able to follow up your interests as part of your

degree.• With a broader education you may acquire extra skills that will help you when

you enter the employment market.

Admissions policyAdmissions information provided

in this pamphlet is intended as a

general guide and cannot cover all

possibilities. Entry requirements

are generally stated in terms of A

level grades and/or UCAS points,

but we encourage applications

from people with a wide range of

other qualifications and/or

experience. Some further details of

the various entry routes are

included in our general prospectus.

Please contact the Admissions

Service (see below) with any

specific queries about admissions.

DisclaimerThis publication is intended

principally as a guide for

prospective students. The matters

covered by it – academic and

otherwise – are subject to change

from time to time, both before and

after students are admitted, and

the information contained in it

does not form part of any contract.

While every reasonable precaution

was taken in the production of this

brochure, the University does not

accept liability for any

inaccuracies.

AddressFor general enquiries, please

write to

Admissions Service

University of Hull

Hull, HU6 7RX

T 01482 466100

F 01482 442290

E [email protected]

Free Elective Scheme

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2

20 credits 20 credits

20 credits 20 credits

20 credits

20 credits

Here you take modules from yourmain course of study.

Here you have the option to take afree elective or another module fromyour main course of study.

ww

w.hull.ac.uk

From British political history toUS foreign policy and from the fallof the Berlin Wall to the legacy of

New Labour, our choice ofmodules is unmatched among UK

universities.

Change the way you think.

Documents

Politics 2012