If you have a passion for politics, or have ever been interested in studying politics at a higher level, this course could be right for you. Whatever your political background, interests, or history, this course will give you a space for discussion and understanding at an advanced level.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This online course introduces what it means to study politics at an advanced level. From understanding debates around the nature of politics, to exploring ideas in politics and International Relations it will provide an introduction of the modern discipline of politics, and develop students’ skills and rigour in discussing and writing about politics. And politics in a very broad sense, rather than only Britain.
What will we cover?
Students will explore the following major subjects in the contemporary discipline of politics.
- What is Politics? - Ideas in politics - Themes in International Relations.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Approach the discipline of politics from a critical perspective - Be able to read, understand, and critically examine advanced political texts, philosophies and ideas - Explain key aspects about the discipline of politics - Express your argument in a clear fashion - Discuss complex ideas - Present political information in an entertaining and engaging manner.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.As such, it is generally advised that you have at least a grade B in GCSE English (or equivalent).
No particular skills are required, only a passion, interest and willingness to engage with reading, writing and discussing political ideas and texts.You will also get the option to read of advanced texts and to present in front of a group.
As with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyoneto engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The online course will be taught through a combination of lectures, student presentations, class discussion and also entail optional readings. The class discussion element is especially important to this course and will play a central role in learning.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will be provided with a reading list. It will be advisable to buy some of these texts for your convenience, although most are widely available in public libraries or online for free.
Something for taking notes will be essential: this may be a pen and paper, or a laptop.
You will need to be able to use a computer to access the class resources.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offer a wide range of politics courses: check out our online catalogue or our prospectus for more information on these.
If considering more advanced study, tutors of this course will be able to advise on Access, BA or MA courses that you may be interested in. Access courses are available at City Lit.
Ingrid holds a joint International Relations PhD from King's College London and the University of São Paulo. Her focus is on international political economy, international organisations and international financial institutions. In her doctoral research she explored the role of major middle-income emerging countries in the World Bank’s strategies, with a focus on the institution’s knowledge power. She has been teaching seminars for undergraduate students at King's College London on topics related to history, economics, political science, and sociology. Prior to coming to the United Kingdom, she worked as an International Development Cooperation analyst in the public sector in Brazil.
Maisa EdwardsSee moreSee less
Dr. Maísa Edwards holds a Joint International Relations PhD from King’s College London and the University of São Paulo. Her doctoral research focused on Brazil, the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic and the South Atlantic region. She also has an MSc in Brazil in Global Perspective from King’s College London and a first degree in French and Spanish from University College London. Maísa also has a keen interest in multilingual and multicultural literature and has run the Talk Books With Me (@talk_books_with_me) project since February 2021.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/ways-into-political-studies3038674Ways into political studieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/global-history.jpg309309GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Global & regional politics/Courses/Online courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Advanced Humanities courses228511771677135421731137411228511771677If you have a passion for politics, or have ever been interested in studying politics at a higher level, this course could be right for you. Whatever your political background, interests, or history, this course will give you a space for discussion and understanding at an advanced level.003038665Ways into political studies309309https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/global-history.jpgInStockEveningWedOnlineAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-04-22T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC60309309Ways into political studies309201309Ingrid Aguiar Schlindwein, Maisa Edwardsways-into-political-studies/hpc60-2526If you have a passion for politics, or have ever been interested in studying politics at a higher level, this course could be right for you. Whatever your political background, interests, or history, this course will give you a space for discussion and understanding at an advanced level.0000-Available|2026-04-22 00:00:00<p>This online course introduces what it means to study politics at an advanced level. From understanding debates around the nature of politics, to exploring ideas in politics and International Relations it will provide an introduction of the modern discipline of politics, and develop students’ skills and rigour in discussing and writing about politics. And politics in a very broad sense, rather than only Britain.<br><br></p>If you have a passion for politics, or have ever been interested in studying politics at a higher level, this course could be right for you. Whatever your political background, interests, or history, this course will give you a space for discussion and understanding at an advanced level.Students will explore the following major subjects in the contemporary discipline of politics.<br><br>- What is Politics?<br>- Ideas in politics<br>- Themes in International Relations.- Approach the discipline of politics from a critical perspective<br>- Be able to read, understand, and critically examine advanced political texts, philosophies and ideas<br>- Explain key aspects about the discipline of politics<br>- Express your argument in a clear fashion <br>- Discuss complex ideas <br>- Present political information in an entertaining and engaging manner.<p>You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.As such, it is generally advised that you have at least a grade B in GCSE English (or equivalent).</p><p>No particular skills are required, only a passion, interest and willingness to engage with reading, writing and discussing political ideas and texts.You will also get the option to read of advanced texts and to present in front of a group.<br><br>As with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.</p><p>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyoneto engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.</p><p>The online course will be taught through a combination of lectures, student presentations, class discussion and also entail optional readings. The class discussion element is especially important to this course and will play a central role in learning.<br><br></p><p>You will be provided with a reading list. It will be advisable to buy some of these texts for your convenience, although most are widely available in public libraries or online for free.<br><br>Something for taking notes will be essential: this may be a pen and paper, or a laptop.<br><br>You will need to be able to use a computer to access the class resources.<br></p>City Lit offer a wide range of politics courses: check out our online catalogue or our prospectus for more information on these.<br><br>If considering more advanced study, tutors of this course will be able to advise on Access, BA or MA courses that you may be interested in. Access courses are available at City Lit.Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsvirtual309309201HPC60NONEWed22/04/26 - 08/07/2619:00 - 21:0019:0021:0012 sessions (over 12 weeks)1211 weeks or longerWeekdayOnlineOnlineIngrid Aguiar Schlindwein, Maisa EdwardsAvailable courses2026-04-22T00:00:00+00:00EveningApr 2026Culture, history & humanities309309Ways into political studiesways-into-political-studies/hpc60-2526If you have a passion for politics, or have ever been interested in studying politics at a higher level, this course could be right for you. Whatever your political background, interests, or history, this course will give you a space for discussion and understanding at an advanced level.0000-Available|2026-04-22 00:00:00<p>This online course introduces what it means to study politics at an advanced level. From understanding debates around the nature of politics, to exploring ideas in politics and International Relations it will provide an introduction of the modern discipline of politics, and develop students’ skills and rigour in discussing and writing about politics. And politics in a very broad sense, rather than only Britain.<br><br></p>If you have a passion for politics, or have ever been interested in studying politics at a higher level, this course could be right for you. Whatever your political background, interests, or history, this course will give you a space for discussion and understanding at an advanced level.Students will explore the following major subjects in the contemporary discipline of politics.<br><br>- What is Politics?<br>- Ideas in politics<br>- Themes in International Relations.- Approach the discipline of politics from a critical perspective<br>- Be able to read, understand, and critically examine advanced political texts, philosophies and ideas<br>- Explain key aspects about the discipline of politics<br>- Express your argument in a clear fashion <br>- Discuss complex ideas <br>- Present political information in an entertaining and engaging manner.<p>You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.As such, it is generally advised that you have at least a grade B in GCSE English (or equivalent).</p><p>No particular skills are required, only a passion, interest and willingness to engage with reading, writing and discussing political ideas and texts.You will also get the option to read of advanced texts and to present in front of a group.<br><br>As with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.</p><p>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyoneto engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.</p><p>The online course will be taught through a combination of lectures, student presentations, class discussion and also entail optional readings. The class discussion element is especially important to this course and will play a central role in learning.<br><br></p><p>You will be provided with a reading list. It will be advisable to buy some of these texts for your convenience, although most are widely available in public libraries or online for free.<br><br>Something for taking notes will be essential: this may be a pen and paper, or a laptop.<br><br>You will need to be able to use a computer to access the class resources.<br></p>City Lit offer a wide range of politics courses: check out our online catalogue or our prospectus for more information on these.<br><br>If considering more advanced study, tutors of this course will be able to advise on Access, BA or MA courses that you may be interested in. Access courses are available at City Lit.Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsconfigurable
