Students on the Politics and Contemporary History, Politics, and Politics and Journalism degrees also have access to various alternatives they may pursue as part of their degrees, which are designed to broaden their experience and improve their chances in the employment market. We have a very active Socrates Exchange program with universities on the European mainland. The most popular links involve institutions in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic where the teaching is in English. Suitable third year students can also spend a semester on the Manchester Television Placement scheme, or on Parliamentary placement, working with an MP at Westminster. All of these pathways are credited to the degree program, and do not add to its overall length.
Teaching is by lectures and seminars.
The latter normally consist of around 10-14 students, and are designed to enable them to talk and develop their ideas in a friendly environment. To this end we make extensive use of a variety of teaching methods, particularly workshop approaches. These enable students to develop ideas and self-confidence in very small groups, often without the tutor being present, before reporting back to larger plenary sessions of the whole seminar. As well as these formal teaching occasions, students are encouraged to come and see tutors if they want more help. Staff in Politics and Contemporary History try their best to be friendly and supportive.