Which Uni for Politics

[DoodleDog]

I know that @ShaunnatheSheep has already asked about this but my son is looking at different grades. His predicted grades are BBB.

He desperately wants to go to London and so his choices are as follows;

Queen Mary require ABB for Politics & IR. BA
Goldsmiths require BBB for Politics Philosophy and Economics BA
City require BBB for Politics BSc
Reading require BBB for Philosophy & Politics BA
Southampton require ABB for Philosophy & Politics BA

Does anyone have any knowledge of these that they can share or if you think there is a better option based on his grades, he likes the economics modules but some courses aren't open to him as he got a 4 in Math.

I really like Keele as it seems to have a good reputation, but as it is not London and it's his mums suggestion, it doesn't seem an option.

I would have thought that actively selecting a university away from London and the southeast would be more useful for his political ambitions. At least then he will have gained some experience of life elsewhere in the UK and hopefully avoid the political pitfalls of being London-centric.

A nodding dog can get elected. However you have to get into the position to be elected. So the electorate are not very discerning are they!

I think quite a few politicians are not that great - the one for Education for a start. No great brains there. However learning how to punch above your weight is important and, whether you like it or not, the PM has the typical Conservative profile. I’m well aware that career politicians can be crap but by doing politics at university, what else is the OP’s DS thinking of doing? It’s this route into politics that’s so narrow! It’s given us poor quality politicians. Go and do another degree and another job first. That teaches a lot more!

There’s plenty of politics in the regions. If you want to be part of it, join a party.

I’m well aware that career politicians can be crap but by doing politics at university, what else is the OP’s DS thinking of doing?

I'm pretty certain that not every Politics undergraduate chooses the subject with the intention of becoming a professional politician. It's an area of academic study and just the occasional university applicant sees such as a furthering of their education, not necessarily a training course (try Accounting and Finance / Medicine for that, perhaps?). Also, plenty of careers only require entrants to have been educated to degree level, no subject specified - look at all the plum jobs in more or less completely unrelated areas for which, according to MN, BA History is the perfect starting point. The 'luxury apartmwnt' of the HE world, oversupply of which apparently never dents the asking price...

Politics is the biggest growing degree area, I believe, and a growth A Level.

The main fields politics grads go into are media, journalism. postgrad research, teaching and various charity and government agencies.

I’m sure very few Politics grads go into Politics- it’s just another Arts / Social Science degree so will open all the usual avenues.

My dc is applying for Pol / Phil & Pol type courses and is interested in social policy/ addressing inequality type things - despite being an active member of the Labour Party he has zero interest in being a politician.

OP I hope your dc achieves his dream but he really shouldn’t worry about needing a Politics degree to achieve it

The OP said DS wanted to be PM. So he does want to go into politics. Obviously the vast majority of politics grads don’t and I advised OP to look at plans B and probably C. But DS wants a certain job so that’s what the advice and discussion has been about.

University choices and views expressed were also about what might be best for other jobs. However DC who want something and are Young don’t always see the bigger picture. Doing any degree is ok for front line politics.

My DS is applying for politics with a view to law, accountancy of banking. He has no interest in working in politics, he just finds it interesting and it’s a solid academic subject which should stand him in good stead for whatever he wants to do next

I was at university with someone who read law, who briefly became UKIP leader. He wasn't that politically active while we were there (just annoying) but very interested in politics generally, as were most in what was then called FESS (economics and social sciences - covered a wide variety of courses).

The DS in questing has maths gcse grade 4. Accountancy and banking are probably a stretch too far. Ditto economics. As has been discussed. BBB predictions at A level limits Politics degree choices. It may well limit law opportunities too.