The Politics qualification produces the most general job credentials, and it may be particularly useful for employment in the parliamentary sector and some areas of the governmental sector. International Relations provides a more specialised link to employment opportunities in foreign affairs, diplomacy, intelligence, defence and international organisations. Public Policy credentials are particularly relevant to jobs in policy analysis, the public service, administration and management. An Honours degree is the normal route for students who are interested in going on to postgraduate studies leading to a Masters degree or to a Doctorate. A postgraduate degree provides a further employment advantage, and some specific postgraduate qualifications are a necessity for some professional careers.
Postgraduate qualifications are essential for anyone considering an academic career.
Schools and Departments invest a considerable amount of energy and care to ensure the quality and integrity of their Honours programmes because the students are among the best achievers in the School or Department s undergraduate topics and because these students have made a decision to specialise in the disciplinary area. The School of Political and International Studies certainly regards the Honours programme as one of its highest priorities. Honours programmes are intellectually challenging and intellectually rewarding. Applicants who do not meet the requirement for automatic entry but who have the minimum requirement will nonetheless be considered on the basis of their overall academic record and the capacity of the School of Political and International Studies to supervise the applicant s proposed thesis research. Such applicants must apply for admission, using the form headed Application for Admission to Honours Course obtainable from the B.A. Office.