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Politics and International Politics

These statistics relate to graduates from a number of different pathways – Politics, International Politics, Politics and Economics, Politics and History and Politics and Sociology.

Graduates from these subjects enter a broad range of careers with some entering public sector/charity sectors and others using their degree as a route into a range of careers in commercial environments.

In 2010/11, six months after graduating:

54.7% of graduates with a first degree were in employment

24.5% were in full-time further study

5.6% were combining work and study

Jobs directly related to a Politics degree such as Politician’s Assistant, Public Affairs Consultant and Government Research Officer are popular but require extensive experience together with a high level of relevant extra-curricular or voluntary activities. Typical employers of Brunel Politics graduates include local government, banking and finance, retail, recruitment services and pressure groups/charities. With around 60% of positions open to all disciplines the options open to Politics graduates are far broader than the careers directly associated with their degree subject. 

In 2010/11 Politics and International Politics graduates were employed in the following positions:

• Fund Analyst
• IT Manager
• Parliamentary Assistant
• Policy Manager
• Portfolio Manager
• Sales and Marketing Assistant

In 2010/11 Politics and International Politics graduates entered further study courses such as:

• CPE Graduate Diploma in Law
• MA Accounting and Finance
• MA British History
• MA Conflict, Security and Development
• MA Globalisation and Governance
• MA International Relations
• MA Public Policy
• MSc International Business and the EU
• PGCE Primary Education

The positive impact of a sandwich placement on graduate employment outcomes across Brunel is considerable. Those who have done placements are also much more likely to be in employment for which they their degree was a formal requirement or where they believe their degree gave them a competitive advantage in recruitment.

Placement leavers from Politics experienced the following outcomes:

• 87.5% progressed into employment or further study
• 71.4% were engaged in a graduate-level activity (employment or further study)
• 60.0% of employed leavers were working in the top three categories of graduate level employment
• The average starting salary was £33,000. 

The graduate labour market remains competitive and relevant experience is increasingly required for graduate level jobs. For those without related experience job search strategy is often about getting a ‘foot in the door’ in order to compete for graduate positions later.

A growing national trend is for many students to delay their job applications until completing their studies, preferring to focus on achieving the highest grade possible. This can result in some graduates initially continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. As a result some Politics/International Politics graduates were working in non-graduate level positions including sales, customer service and administrative occupations.

The DLHE survey provides a snapshot of a very short amount of time (six months) after graduating and while many have progressed into relevant graduate jobs others are taking time out, travelling, waiting to start a course or continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. Many graduates have moved on in their careers since completing the questionnaire.