Jobs you can get with a bachelors in political science

A politics degree opens doors to a broad range of careers, including political work, social and political research, journalism, HR and marketing

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Civil Service Fast Streamer
• Government social research officer
• Policy officer
• Political risk analyst
• Politician's assistant
• Public affairs consultant
• Social researcher

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Business development manager
• Charity officer
• Detective
• Diplomatic service officer
• Forensic accountant
• Human resources officer
• Local government officer
• Market researcher
• Marketing executive
• Newspaper journalist
• Public relations officer
• Stockbroker

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Many charities and not-for-profit organisations have volunteering opportunities that will give you valuable work experience. Check their websites for details of what voluntary positions are arising and how to apply.

These include:

• charities
• the Citizens Advice Bureau
• global development bodies, such as WaterAid and Oxfam
• human and civil rights organisations such as Amnesty International
• local, national and international environmental and conservation organisations
• political campaigns and political parties.

Campaigning organisations or pressure groups and UK-based charities with an international presence are particularly suitable if you wish to pursue an international career.

If you're a student, consider running for office in your university Students' Union or gaining volunteering experience through the university community and student societies. This demonstrates initiative and can provide leadership experience and opportunities to further develop written and oral communication skills.

Many degree courses offer the opportunity to undertake professional work experience on a placement or sandwich year.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Politics graduates are typically employed by:

• accountancy and banking organisations
• charities
• commercial businesses - particularly within marketing departments
• councils
• law firms
• local and national government
• retail companies
• media organisations.

Other employers include the United Nations (UN), the European Commission, the Civil Service, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), lobbying, campaigning, and voluntary organisations and the public sector in general.

Find information on employers in the charity and voluntary work, marketing, advertising and PR, public services and administration and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

Studying politics enables you to develop specific subject knowledge, such as how different political systems work, how organisations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations (UN) operate, and to interpret global political issues and events.

A degree in politics also gives you many useful transferable skills including:

• the ability to research, source and examine information thoroughly
• the capacity to critically analyse evidence and construct coherent arguments
• excellent written and oratory skills
• intellectual independence and autonomy
• teamworking skills
• a flexible and open-minded approach to work.

Further study

You may choose to undertake postgraduate study in order to further develop your knowledge, or to specialise in a particular area.

Subjects at Masters level include:

• environmental politics
• human rights
• international relations and European politics
• international security
• political communication, advocacy and campaigning
• politics.

You may also choose more vocational postgraduate courses that qualify you to work in careers such as accountancy, journalism, law, management and teaching.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in politics.

What do politics graduates do?

The top four professions for politics graduates include business, research and administrative professionals (10%), sales, marketing and related associate professionals (7%), media professionals (6%) and finance professionals (5%).

For a detailed breakdown of what politics graduates are doing after graduation, see What do graduates do?

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

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