





War. Described by some as “the continuation of politics by other means”. Said by others to be the single most important social activity that humanity has ever undertaken.
It’s fuelled the development of civilisations. Raised and crushed entire societies. And driven humanity’s technological and social development. Here’s where you learn how and why.
Hull has an established reputation in the study of war and security. Our course focuses on the relationship between the theory of warfare and its practical application in the real world.
About this course
We focus on the most important events and debates in politics and security. British political history after World War II. The causes of conflict in modern times. Land, air and sea power. Culture wars. Terrorism and cyberwarfare. Brexit, American politics, and foreign policy. And by examining them, you’ll gain critical insights into the domestic and global significance of war, politics and security.
All our 3-year courses give you the option to study abroad for a trimester, whether in Europe, the USA or Hong Kong. And through our unique internship opportunities, you’ll get access to Parliament or another politics-related placement.
Our Westminster placement scheme has been running for over 35 years, and is one of the most extensive of its kind in the UK. You get the chance to work with an MP or peer. Our links with a large pool of MPs mean we can likely match you with a politician whose role reflects your area of interest. While on placement, you'll enjoy access to our exclusive seminar series presented by senior Parliamentary officials including Black Rod and the Speaker.
Don't just learn politics. Live it.
Module options
Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, and you need 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits – so you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.
Filters
British Political History since 1945
The UK's political history after World War Two: from Eden to the EEC and from Wilson to the 'Winter of Discontent', encounter the people, ideas and policies that have shaped modern Britain.
compulsory
20 credits
Introduction to War and Politics
Study the causes and conduct of war in modern times. Learn why the Allies won World War Two, why the US lost in Vietnam and how nuclear weapons affect international security.
compulsory
20 credits
Introduction to International Politics
Examine the theories that help us understand how the world around us works, and the themes and issues that are central to international discourse and practice. You'll explore arguments and ways of thinking that are designed to expand their sense of who you are and of where and how you fit in the world around you.
compulsory
20 credits
Introduction to Political Ideologies
Political action is collective action among people who share beliefs. This module explores the most important formulations of these collective views. It explores political ideologies that defend the status quo, those who wish to reform it, and those that seek a radically different political reality.
compulsory
20 credits
Introduction to Policy-Making
This module provides an introduction and explanation of the plural theories and models of policy making before applying these theories and models to the practice of policy-making, via a series of case studies of policy-making in practice.
compulsory
20 credits
Introduction to Global Political Economy
You'll gain the tools to understand and explain developments in the global political economy and be introduced to international political economy, one of the main sub-disciplines of politics and international relations. You will trace the evolution of ideas, institutions and policies related to global financial markets, transnational production, global division of labour, gender and climate change.
compulsory
20 credits
Land Power
Land Power provides a comprehensive education in the key conceptual and historical developments in land warfare in the modern period. This module will help you understand how politics, technology, doctrine, society and ethics impact the exercise of military power in the Land domain. You will explore these important issues by studying the defining conflicts and campaigns of the modern age. These include Napoleon, the two world wars of the 20th Century, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc. Finally, you will study how robotics, AI and cyber technologies will change the character of land warfare.
compulsory
20 credits
Sea Power
There is no subject more important to students of politics, international relations, and war than seapower. This is because the seapowers created the world you see around you in the global distribution of power, wealth,and cultural dominance of the west, and it is the seapowers that retain the means to sustain their power and status and influence in global politics. You will learn how seapower enables this through the global reach that seapower provides in diplomatic and military capability. How seapower dominates global trade and wealth distribution and how seapowers were able to use their maritime power to dominate others in war.
compulsory
20 credits
Air Power
Air Power provides a comprehensive education in the key conceptual and historical developments in air warfare from its genesis to the contemporary period. This module helps students understand how politics, technology, doctrine, society and ethics impact the exercise of military power in, and from, the air. They explore these important issues by studying the defining conflicts and campaigns of the modern age, including the 1914-1918 war, the Second World War, Vietnam, Gulf War I, NATO operations in Bosnia, among others etc. Finally, they study how modern technologies impact upon the exercise of power in the air domain and what this means for the application of force and political power more generally.
compulsory
20 credits
Our facilities




Our academics
We have extensive experience of working with the military and policy-makers, both in the UK and overseas. And we bring our experience, research and passion into everything you learn.
We're here to inspire you – tomorrow's leaders – to realise your potential. And to leave the world in a better condition than you found it.

Dr Chris Martin
Reader in Maritime Security and Head of School of Politics and International Studies
Chris won the Julian Corbett Prize for Research in Modern Naval History in 2005. In 2017, his book 'The UK as a Medium Maritime Power in the 21st Century' was shortlisted for the UK Maritime Foundation's Mountbatten Award.

Dr David Lonsdale
Senior Lecturer / Programme Director, BA War Studies / Programme Director, MA Strategy and International Security
David’s main research area is strategic theory and its application to historical and contemporary strategic settings. His books include 'Understanding Contemporary Strategy', and 'Alexander the Great: Lessons in Strategy'.
Entry Requirements
Fees & Funding
How much is it?

Future prospects
Our graduates are well known throughout the major UK political parties. So many of them now work in Westminster that they’ve become known as ‘the Hull Mafia’. But it’s not only Parliament that can open its doors to you. Our Politics degrees afford many more opportunities after you graduate.
You’ll gain the skills to research and examine information. To critically analyse evidence and construct robust arguments. Exactly the kind of attributes that many employers are looking for. As well as political careers, many of our graduates go on to work in the media, the Civil Service, HM Armed Forces, and intelligence services, as well as public relations, charities, and international organisations.
Become part of the next generation of futuremakers
Like what you've seen? Then it's time to apply.
The standard way is to apply through UCAS. This will give you the chance to showcase your skills qualities and passion for the subject, as well as providing us with your academic qualifications.
Not ready to apply yet?
Visit our next Open Day, and see all that Hull has to offer for yourself. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.
You may also be interested in...
100% employability (Politics) UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Higher Education Graduate Outcomes statistics, for the academic year 2021/22, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency June 2024.
Politics is ranked 3rd out of 62 institutions in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction. The Guardian University Rankings 2025.
Politics is ranked in the top 10 in the UK (HEIs) for assessment and feedback. National Student Survey (NSS) 2024, HEIs only.
All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.