A Guide to Political Science
Political science is one of the best courses you can take in university or college, particularly if you are interested in the running of governments and communities. In this course, you will learn about the theories and practices of power. It can be a great course for people who want to make a difference in international, national, or local politics.
Entry Requirements for Political Degrees
The entry requirement for this course will vary from university to university. However, in most schools, you will be required to study and pass subjects under the humanities fields. Such subjects include economics, history, philosophy, and languages. Other schools will not specify the subjects you should pass but will simply indicate that they have a minimum grade. You may also have to write an application showing why you want to take the course, and in this application, you must show how much you are aware of the current political events. You also need to show how motivated you are to take the course. In some cases, you will also have to show that you are knowledgeable in modern languages.
Which Career Opportunities Are Available to Political Science Students?
Political science students have a good range of job prospects. A good proportion of political science students end up working for the federal government, and another sizeable number chooses to work in scientific and technical fields. Here are the most popular careers for political science students:
- Public affairs consultant
- Politician
- Politician’s or legislative assistant
- Business development manager
- Local government officer
- Policy analyst
- Social researcher
- Political risk analyst
- Public affairs consultant
It is worth noting that students who take political science courses can work in a wide range of fields, including journalism, marketing, and HR. As you study, you should consider volunteering for certain tasks as that will help you gain experience. Some places you can volunteer include charity organizations, political parties, political campaigns, and global development bodies. You can even consider running for office in your school’s student societies. This way, you will be able to demonstrate your leadership skills. You will also develop some transferable skills while studying political science. Some of these include teamwork, written and oral skills, research skills, and open-mindedness.
What Should You Expect in the Course Work?
Political science courses take three or four years, and the sessions mainly consist of lectures and seminars. You will also have to participate in discussions and debates on various topics. Occasionally, your professor may ask you to make a v. Towards the end of the course, you will be required to write an academic paper on a specific topic. Many students choose to work with an essay writing service, as these papers can be challenging to work on. To determine your overall performance, you will have to pass oral and written exams. Your coursework and essays will also be graded.
In the course, you can expect to cover past and current political conflicts, as well as various systems of government. Political concepts like equality and freedom are also examined in detail in this course. Key economic systems such as communism, socialism, and capitalism are also covered, along with their application and results in the world. Another key concept covered in these courses is the works of historical figures like Karl Marx and Machiavelli. You will also go millennia back and study the works of thinkers like Confucius and Plato. Generally, you can expect to learn some aspects of history, philosophy, economics, and international relations.
Further Studies in Political Science
While many people complete their political science courses and immediately start working, a good proportion also chooses to advance their studies before seeking employment. The most popular masters courses for political science undergraduates include environmental politics, human rights, international security, European politics, and political communication. You can also choose to go for more vocational postgraduate courses, particularly if you want to work in fields like journalism, accountancy, management, and law.