How much reading do politics students have to do?
Politics degrees involve a substantial amount of independent reading alongside lectures and classes. Depending on the course and module, this can include textbooks, academic journal articles, policy reports, legal or historical documents, and current affairs. The workload may increase for essay, seminar, and dissertation preparation.
Key points
- Reading is used to understand theories, institutions, political events, and competing arguments.
- You may need to identify and evaluate sources rather than read every item on a list in equal depth.
- Some courses include guidance on essential and supplementary reading, with preparation linked to seminars and assessments.
Things to check
- The amount varies by university, module, level of study, teaching format, and assessment style, so check official module descriptions or reading lists for a specific course.