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Gain a Graduate Diploma in Politics

For those seeking to broaden their knowledge about politics, this programme would provide you with a good grasp of world affairs and politics. This programme will provide you with an introduction to the fundamental concepts and theories to analyze world politics.

In addition to that, what this course will also cover are such topics like Comparative Politics. This course encompasses how we form or develop concepts of democratic political institutions and some of the different ways in which democracies can be organized. On top of that, you will also be taught the various aspects of the conditions of democracy, the processes of democratisation and the breakdown of democratic regimes.

Teaching Faculty

Local faculty, with intensive workshops by UK academics.

Delivery Mode

Lectures, group discussions, workshops and online study

Duration of each lesson is 3 hours.

Mode of Study

Full time classes are held in three-hour blocks between Monday and Saturday, starting at 8.30am, 12pm or 3.30pm. There are occasional classes on weeknights at 7pm and on Sundays and public holidays.Local students may transfer between the part-time and full-time programme after a year, at the annual course enrolment exercise for continuing students.

Learning Support

• Annual intensive revision from mid-March to end-April (lessons may be held in the evenings / weekends / public holidays).
• Classes on study skills, academic writing and the Peer-Assisted Learning sessions.

Academic Materials

• Virtual Learning Environment
• SIMConnect portal
• University materials such as subject guides, past exam papers and exam commentaries, reading lists and handbooks on good study strategies

Programme Calendar

Classes / Sept 2019 – Feb 2020
SIM Preliminary Exams / Feb 2020
Revision / Mar – Apr 2020
University Exams / May 2020
Results released / Mid-Aug 2020

Candidature Period

The programme is made up of 4 units and there are no prerequisites for each unit.

1 and 5 years to complete the qualification, with a minimum duration of 1 year.

Students will attend classes with those pursuing a Bachelor’s programme at SIM campus.

Minimum Class Size

Minimum class size to commence: 25 students. Students will be informed within 30 days after the application period.

Curriculum

Three units (including at least one 300 unit) chosen from:

• PS1130 Introduction to modern political thought OR PS1172 Introduction to political science
• PS2082 Comparative politics
• PS3086 Democracy and Democratisation

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One 200 or 300 unit (or two half units) chosen from any Selection group, including any options not already selected above (ST2187 and ST2134 are not included).

2019-2020 Units offered at SIM (PDF 57 KB)
Outline of Modules (PDF 344 KB)
Sample of full-time class schedule (PDF 67 KB)

Entry Requirements

• A full first degree completed in a minimum of 3 years duration on a full-time basis (or equivalent) from a university or an institution acceptable to the University of London,
• GCE ‘O’ level Mathematics – grade C or C6 and above or its equivalent
• GCE ‘O’ level English – grade C or C6 and above or its equivalent

Note: Changes in Mathematics requirement will be introduced in 2018.

Candidates holding professional and/or postgraduate qualifications without a full first degree cannot be considered for admission to the Graduate Entry Route.
University of London graduates from the same range of degrees under the academic direction of LSE cannot be considered for the Graduate Entry Route or for the Graduate Diploma.

The list is not exhaustive and is subject to annual revision.

Refer to the University of London prospectus (PDF 5.4 MB) for full information.

Foreign Applicants:
Click here for information on overseas qualifications

Estimated Overall Fees

Estimated Overall fee: S$10,400 for 4 units (1 year programme)
All fees inclusive of prevailing GST.

The Estimated Overall Fee is made up of :
1. Programme Fees
2. UOL Application Fee
3. UOL Initial Registration Fee
4. UOL examination fee (payable to UOL and RELC Examinations Bureau)

*Refer to the breakdown cost listed below:

Breakdown of Estimated Overall Fees

Programme Fees 
4 full units : $6,014.00

Application Fees Applies

UOL Application Fee (One Time Payment) : £92.00
UOL Initial Registration Fee : £935.00
UOL Examination Fee (4 full units) : $2,550.00

Additional UOL and SIM fees apply for those who repeat/resit the coursework/exam and also for those who extend their registration with the University.

Note: This estimated University of London examination fee, payable in S$ to the RELC Examinations Bureau, includes an admin fee (per paper) to RELC. All UOL fees are subjected to yearly revision.

Click here (JPG 80 MB) to refer to the Miscellaneous fees.

The fees above are only valid for 2019/2020 intake.

Exemption Eligibility

There are no exemptions from units.

Students will not be permitted to transfer from the Graduate Diploma to the related BSc qualifications offered through the UOL Programmes.

Students may transfer between the different Graduate Diploma.

A student who fails a unit twice may transfer to another unit, within the 5-year registration period.

Lecturers & Teaching Modules (PDF 94 KB)

Average teacher-student ratio 1:102

The programme is made up of full and half-units. Candidates may take four full units and complete them in one sitting at the end of the academic year.

SIM assignments, class tests and preliminary examinations allow students sufficient practice for the University’s annual examinations.

The examination marks account for 100% for most papers. The exception is for selected units where the coursework needs to be assessed by the University.

Candidates who fail a module may repeat the module and re-sit the examination the following year. The re-sit unit which is an elective may be replaced by another new unit.

Units which have been passed may not be re-taken. There are a maximum of two attempts for each paper.

There are no pre-requisites for candidates in the Graduate Diploma.

Grading Scheme

Graduates who do well may be awarded with a Diploma with Distinction or Merit.

70-100 : Distinction
60-69 : Merit
40-59 : Pass
0-39 : Fail

Attendance requirement

Local: 75%
International (includes Dependent Pass and Long Term Social Visit Pass): 90%

Graduation

The award of the Graduate Diploma requires successful completion of all 4 units.

Graduates may participate in the presentation ceremony on SIM campus in April or the University of London (UK) in March.

Graduates of the UOL programmes may progress to postgraduate studies either locally or overseas.