Policy officer
Policy officers research problems, analyse evidence and advise decision makers on laws, programmes and strategies.
What can you do with a politics degree?
Also called: Political science · Government · Political studies
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
A politics degree, often called political science, studies how power works: how governments are chosen and run, how laws and policies are made, and why people and countries cooperate or come into conflict. Graduates work as policy officers, diplomats, journalists, lawyers, economists and public relations officers, and in charities, campaigning and international organisations.
Careers with a politics degree
Politics graduates work wherever decisions are made or influenced. Many join government as policy officers or civil servants, or work for elected representatives and political parties. Some become diplomats or work for international organisations. Others use their research and writing skills as journalists, public relations officers or campaigners for charities. With further study or training, politics also leads into law and economics. Graduates are also found in consulting, risk analysis, business and teaching.
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Diplomat
Diplomats represent their country's government abroad and in the foreign ministry at home.
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Journalist
Journalists find, check and report news and stories for newspapers, websites, television, radio, podcasts and social media.
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Economist
Economists study how people, businesses and governments use resources, and analyse data to explain and forecast trends such as growth, prices, jobs and trade.
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Lawyer
Lawyers advise people, businesses and governments on their legal rights and duties, draft legal documents and represent clients in negotiations and in court.
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Public relations officer
Public relations (PR) officers manage how an organisation communicates with the public, the media and other groups.
Other roles graduates go into: Political adviser · Parliamentary researcher · Campaign manager · Political risk analyst · Lobbyist · Local government officer
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Political theory and ideas
- Comparative politics: how different political systems work
- International relations and global politics
- Public policy and administration
- Elections, parties and political behaviour
- Political economy
- Human rights, conflict and security
- Research methods and statistics for social science
Skills you gain
- Analysing complex political and social issues
- Writing clear, well-argued reports and essays
- Using evidence and data to support arguments
- Debating and presenting ideas with confidence
- Understanding how institutions make decisions
- Researching and judging the reliability of sources
How the degree differs around the world
In the UK and much of Europe, a politics or political science bachelor's degree usually takes three years, and it is often combined with subjects such as economics, history or philosophy. In the United States and Canada, political science or government is a popular major within a four-year degree, and a common route to law school. In many countries, programmes cover both the national political system and international topics. Some universities teach politics with a strong focus on statistics and research methods, while others focus more on theory and history. Politics is not a licensed profession, so programmes are rarely accredited by a professional body.
How do politics graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Social sciences, journalism and information”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estonia | 112 (2023) | 89.8% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Chile | 112 (2023) | 82.5% (2022) | 85.7% |
| Denmark | 107 (2023) | 89.5% (2021) | 87.8% |
| Norway | 107 (2023) | 87.0% (2024) | 89.3% |
| Switzerland | 107 (2023) | 86.4% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Finland | 106 (2022) | 88.6% (2024) | 88.8% |
| United States | 101 (2023) | 83.7% (2017) | 84.3% |
| Costa Rica | 101 (2023) | 72.4% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Latvia | 100 (2023) | 86.8% (2024) | 87.7% |
| South Korea | 100 (2023) | — | — |
| Canada | 98 (2020) | 80.4% (2021) | 80.4% |
| Romania | 97 (2023) | 91.1% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Slovenia | 96 (2020) | 89.9% (2024) | 90.8% |
| Australia | 96 (2020) | 85.5% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Luxembourg | 95 (2023) | 84.6% (2024) | 85.7% |
| Austria | 94 (2023) | 83.0% (2024) | 86.4% |
| Portugal | 93 (2020) | 90.7% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Mexico | 93 (2023) | 78.6% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Sweden | 92 (2023) | 88.5% (2024) | 89.6% |
| United Kingdom | 91 (2020) | 85.5% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Germany | 81 (2020) | 85.1% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Iceland | — | 94.4% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Lithuania | — | 92.5% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Poland | — | 91.2% (2024) | 91.6% |
| Netherlands | — | 90.5% (2024) | 90.6% |
| Slovakia | — | 89.8% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Belgium | — | 86.1% (2024) | 88.5% |
| Czechia | — | 86.1% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Ireland | — | 85.8% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Croatia | — | 83.6% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Italy | — | 83.5% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Spain | — | 83.5% (2024) | 83.9% |
| France | — | 82.1% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Greece | — | 81.0% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Peru | — | 80.9% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Türkiye | — | 68.1% (2016) | 72.9% |
| Hungary | — | 62.2% (2024) | 76.2% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Politics” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £26,000 | £20,500 | £31,800 | 87.2% |
| After 3 years | £31,800 | £25,600 | £39,200 | 86.3% |
| After 5 years | £37,000 | £28,900 | £49,400 | 86.0% |
| After 10 years | £47,200 | £32,900 | £70,300 | 82.4% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment. More UK detail on CourseToJob.co.uk
Is a politics degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You follow the news and enjoy discussing why political events happen.
- You like reading, writing and building arguments from evidence.
- You want to understand how decisions that affect society are made.
Think twice if
- You expect the degree to lead straight into a political career, which usually depends on experience and contacts.
- You dislike statistics, as many programmes include research methods and data analysis.
- You find it hard to consider views you strongly disagree with.
Further study
Many graduates go straight into work, but master's degrees are common for careers in public policy, international relations, development and security. Law is a popular next step, through law school in the United States and Canada or a conversion course or second degree elsewhere. Becoming an economist usually needs a further degree in economics. A PhD leads to university teaching and research, and to some senior policy roles.
Questions about studying politics
What jobs can you get with a politics degree?
Common jobs include policy officer, civil servant, diplomat, journalist, public relations officer, political adviser and researcher. Politics graduates also work for charities, campaign groups, international organisations, consultancies and businesses. With further study, some become lawyers or economists. Work experience, such as internships with elected representatives or charities, is especially important in this field.
Is politics the same as political science?
Mostly, yes. Politics is the usual name in the UK and some other countries, while political science is more common in the United States, Canada and many other parts of the world. Some programmes called political science place more weight on statistics and research methods, while those called politics may include more political theory and history. Always check the modules.
Do you need a politics degree to work in politics?
No. People who work in government, political parties and campaigning come from many different subjects, including law, economics, history and sociology. A politics degree helps you understand institutions and debates, but employers usually value practical experience just as much, such as volunteering for a campaign, an internship or involvement in student politics.
Is a politics degree worth it?
It can be, especially if you are interested in government, policy, international affairs or the media. The degree builds strong research, writing and analytical skills that many employers value. However, it does not lead directly to one job, and many popular roles are competitive, so internships and a clear plan make a big difference to your prospects.
Related subjects
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International relations
An international relations degree studies how countries, international organisations, businesses and other groups interact across borders.
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Economics
An economics degree studies how people, businesses and governments make choices with limited resources, and how markets, money and policy affect jobs, prices and growth.
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History
A history degree studies how societies, cultures, economies and ideas have changed over time, using evidence such as documents, objects and people's memories.
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Philosophy
A philosophy degree trains you to think clearly about difficult questions, such as what we can know, what is right and wrong, and how minds, language and societies work.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH15-03-01 — Politics
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0312
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with a politics degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/politics/ (accessed September 26, 2026)