Honours in Politics

Honours and the PGDipArts

Honours and the Post-Graduate Diploma (PGDip) in Politics have the same paper requirements at 400-level (the difference is that the PGDip is a stand-alone 400 level course). If you would like advice please see the 400-level co-ordinators, Dr Janine Hayward and Dr Jim Headley.

Entry Requirements

Honours & PGDipArts

At the end of each year, the Department invites selected students to apply for entry into the Honours programme. Students may also apply for Honours without being invited to do so. An Honours student must fulfil additional requirements at the 200- and 300-levels, as well as taking an additional year of study at the 400-level.

• To enter Honours at the 200-level, students must normally have passed (with a B average) papers worth 126 points, including two POLS 100-level papers with a B+ average.
• To enter Honours at the 300-level, students must normally (1) have passed at least 252 points, including (2) at least 90 points above 100-level with a B average, and (3) have passed the 100- and 200-level POLS major requirements, including 54 points at 200-level with a B+ average.
• To enter Honours at the 400-level, students must normally (1) have passed papers worth 360 points (2) have fulfilled the POLS major requirements (3) not have been awarded the BA and (4) have a B+ average over the best 72 POLS points at the 300- level.
• To enter PGDip Arts, students must normally have a BA in POLS with a B+ average over the best 72 POLS points at 300-level.

Note: The Department is entitled to remove students from the Honours programme if they do not maintain a grade average commensurate with the Honours requirements.

Paper Requirements

Honours

• In Honours at the 200-level, students must normally complete at least 120 points in total including four 200-level POLS papers. PSYC204, GEND201, GEND208, PHIL227 OR PHIL228 may be substituted for one 200-level POLS paper.
• In Honours at the 300-level, students must normally complete 120 points in total including five 300-level POLS papers.
• In Honours at the 400-level, students must normally complete three 400-level POLS papers plus POLS 490/491.

PGDipArts

The PGDipArts is a 400-level stand-alone course for students who have already graduated. PGDipArts students take POLS 490/491 and three other 400-level POLS papers.

POLS 490/491

POLS490/491 is a research dissertation of 15,000 words (excluding footnotes, bibliography, and appendices). It is either a piece of original research on a specified research question, or a more wide-ranging discussion of a topic which gives a critical account of existing literature and knowledge.

Students are appointed a supervisor and also meet regularly with the 400-level co-ordinator to ensure steady progress is maintained on the dissertation.

The due date is Friday 15th October (POLS490) or Friday 4th June (POLS491).

Statement on 490/491 extensions The due date for POLS490 and POLS491 is a strict deadline. Extensions will only be provided in cases of unforeseen circumstances which significantly restrict a student’s ability to complete the dissertation on time. This does not include work commitments, or any other activities entered into voluntarily. In cases where there are serious unforeseen circumstances, the student should discuss them with the 400-level co-ordinators at the earliest possible opportunity.