How long is the BA in Political Research Methods?

The BA in Political Research Methods runs three years full-time, with part-time and accelerated routes. Distance learners on the BA in Political Research Methods follow the same academic calendar as on-campus cohorts.

How is the BA in Political Research Methods delivered?

The BA in Political Research Methods is available on-campus, online and by distance learning. All modes of the BA in Political Research Methods include the placement year and dissertation.

Is the BA in Political Research Methods recognised in the UK?

Yes, the BA in Political Research Methods sits at UK Level 6 and is aligned with Political Studies Association research training standards. The BA in Political Research Methods is a strong foundation for research and analytical careers.

What entry requirements apply to the BA in Political Research Methods?

You will need A-levels at BBB or an Access to HE Diploma for the BA in Political Research Methods, plus GCSE English and Maths. IELTS 6.5 applies to international applicants for the BA in Political Research Methods.

What is the cost of the BA in Political Research Methods and is funding available?

Fees for the BA in Political Research Methods are published on the LSLPE admissions page. Staged payment, employer sponsorship and international scholarships are considered for the BA in Political Research Methods.

BA in Political Research Methods | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The BA in Political Research Methods is a UK Level 6 honours degree running three years full-time, with part-time and accelerated routes, delivered on-campus, online and by distance learning. The programme is aligned with Political Studies Association research training standards and is designed for candidates targeting research-heavy careers in think tanks, government analytical services, election agencies and academic progression.

By graduation you will have designed and fielded a small survey, run regression analysis on the British Election Study, produced qualitative interview evidence with recognised coding, completed a year-two placement in a think tank or research agency, and produced a final-year dissertation on original political-science evidence.

Key Features

Programme aligned with Political Studies Association research training standards.
Year-two placement in a think tank, polling agency, government analytical service or NGO research team.
Regression laboratory using R and Stata on British Election Study data.
Weekly seminars in the case-room tradition with named tutor supervision.
Qualitative research laboratory with real interview coding on NVivo.
Guest sessions with practising political scientists and Chatham House researchers.
Careers pipeline into government analytical services, think tanks and academic research.

What You Will Learn

Design political-science research questions with hypothesis and identification strategies.
Field small survey instruments with valid sampling and question wording.
Run OLS, logit and probit regression analysis on political datasets.
Design and code qualitative interviews to publication standards.
Analyse text as data using dictionary and topic-modelling methods.
Interpret election data including turnout, swing and vote share dynamics.
Handle research ethics and data-protection obligations in political research.
Communicate research findings in academic, media and policy formats.

Who This Course Is For

School leavers with strong A-levels targeting research-heavy careers.
Working policy officers seeking a full research-methods honours degree.
Career changers from data or journalism entering political research.
International applicants building UK political-science research capability.
Applicants preparing for postgraduate research or PhD progression.

Career Pathways

Political Analyst inside a think tank or research programme.
Parliamentary Researcher supporting select-committee scrutiny.
Election Analyst at a polling agency or broadcaster.
Government Relations Manager at a regulated business.
Strategic Intelligence Analyst on political risk.
Political Consultant on campaign analytics.
Foreign Policy Adviser research role.
Public Affairs Officer with a strong evidence focus.

The LSLPE careers service links final-year cohorts to think tanks, polling agencies, Whitehall analytical services and PhD supervisors.

Entry Requirements

A-levels (or equivalent) at BBB or above, OR a UK Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C (or equivalent).
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Two academic references and a personal statement outlining your research interest.
International applicants receive dedicated visa and accommodation support from LSLPE admissions.

Why Study at LSLPE

The London School of Law, Politics and Economics is a specialist division of Harold International College of London teaching in small, tutor-visible cohorts. Chatham House, the National Centre for Social Research and the LSE-adjacent think-tank ecosystem sit within a short tube ride of every LSLPE seminar room.

Three parallel study modes let progressors, working analysts and international applicants complete the BA in Political Research Methods without leaving employment, and the LSLPE careers service maintains standing links with think tanks, polling agencies and Whitehall analytical services.

Apply for BA in Political Research Methods

Apply for the LSLPE Bachelor's programme in political research methods. Your placement year in a think tank or research agency is included, and admissions responds within one working day. Enrol Now.