2024 entry (view 2023 entry)
BSc Philosophy and Politics (VL52)
Course overview

Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAA
A-level contextual offer: ABB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
3 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£22,200 per year, international students
Fees quoted are for 2023 entry only. Fees for 2024 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2023.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
This course combines philosophy with the study of politics and international relations. This provides a valuable skill set ideally tailored to the increasingly globalised workplace.
For Philosophy you will study units including Introduction to Philosophy, Logic and Critical Thinking and Realism and Normativity, and may write an extended essay.
In Politics you will study the politics of individual countries and governments and the relationships between them, communities and individuals. You will become familiar with many different views and methods and learn to analyse and evaluate them.
Politics is organised around three themes:
- political theory
- comparative and national politics
- international relations.
The first year includes compulsory units to ensure you have a solid grounding in the discipline and you will have greater choice as you progress through the course.
In your final year you will choose from a range of units closely linked to staff research interests, which are unique to Bristol. Units cover subjects such as political theory, international relations, political economy, UK politics, US politics, gender, security and conflict. There is a strong emphasis on research skills, with a compulsory unit in the first year and the possibility to complete a dissertation in the final year.
You will also have the opportunity to apply to spend half a year studying abroad at a partner university. To find out more about studying abroad, visit Global Opportunities.
Both schools encourage synergy between research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment. This course combination offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges.
Course structure
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
AAA including an essay-based subject
Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
A-level contextual offer
ABB including an essay-based subject
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEssay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
BTEC
DDD in any essay-based Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsEssay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject
Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEssay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
European Baccalaureate
85% overall, with 8.5 in an essay-based subject
Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AA including an essay-based subject, and Standard Higher: AAAAB
Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits (with 9 at Distinction) in a single essay-based subject
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
Standard numeracy requirement (4 or C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent)
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
- GCSE English Language grade B or 6
- An alternative English Language Profile B qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- The admissions statement above relates to 2023 entry. The statement for 2024 entry will be available in summer 2023.
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: