Great Degrees for Political Campaign Manager: Kickstart Your Career

A career as a political campaign manager is ideal for those who want to work on campaign strategies and win over voters. These professionals help political parties coordinate fundraising, voter outreach, advertising and media presence – all to increase the candidate's chance of success.

Gaining a bachelor's degree is a solid first step to secure a job as a political campaign manager. At LIS, our interdisciplinary bachelor's degree program helps students gain a wide range of skills in critical areas. This approach allows them to progress into various careers beyond political campaign management.

This article explores great degrees for political campaign managers and how to launch your career.

Table of Contents

• The Role of a Political Campaign Manager
• Do You Need a Degree to Become a Political Campaign Manager?
• Great Degrees for Political Campaign Managers
• How to Start Your Career as a Political Campaign Manager
• How to Choose the Right Degree for Your Political Campaign Management Career

A political campaign manager supports the success of political campaigns, handling all the operations required to win elections. Professionals oversee campaign strategies, manage campaign staff, and ensure every aspect of the campaign runs smoothly. This includes hosting fundraising events and voter outreach efforts.

Working from the campaign headquarters, a campaign manager coordinates campaign activities such as phone banking, scheduling media appearances, and drafting press releases. 

Here is a glimpse into what a political campaign manager job entails:

• Organising campaign volunteers.
• Crafting effective strategies to win voter support.
• Supervise campaign staff and volunteers.
• Coordinating events to raise money.
• Managing media appearances, press releases, and digital content.
• Building relationships with key stakeholders.
• Assist with speech preparation, debate coaching, and public presentations.

The exact job responsibilities of a political campaign manager differ among professionals; however, this is what students can expect in this field. 

It is possible to become a campaign manager without formal education. However, a bachelor's degree provides a strong foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role. These programmes make it easier to land a job after graduation and stand out in the job market. 

Students can also progress to further their education and achieve a master's degree, which gives them a competitive advantage in securing top-quality jobs. 

Many campaign managers pursue degrees in fields like:

• Political Science
• Communications
• Public Relations
• Marketing
• History
• English
• Business Administration

Degree pathways also expose students to gain practical experience. For example, students may have opportunities to volunteer at campaign headquarters or participate in campaign activities, helping them gain real-world skills. 

Here are a selection of great degree pathways for political campaign managers, including what topics they cover, the tuition costs and key takeaways. 

Arts and Sciences: Interdisciplinary Problems and Methods (BASc) – The London Interdisciplinary School 

The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) offers a BASc degree that requires three years of full-time study. This programme follows an interdisciplinary approach, equipping students with diverse skills in critical areas. Through lectures, seminars, and workshops, students can gain all the expertise they need, allowing them to switch careers. They will combine knowledge and skills to tackle complex challenges and learn various quantitative and qualitative research methods. 

What's more, LIS exposes students to various perspectives and problem-solving through lectures from industry experts, such as philosophers, journalists, and scientists, among many others. Eligible students can apply for summer internships for at least five weeks every year and gain real-world experience. 

The LIS BASc degree aims to help students become interdisciplinary experts and select unique concepts and theories to achieve tangible results throughout their careers.

Key Curriculum:

• Problems 1A: Learn problem-framing, pitching, public speaking, and epistemology, focusing on two disciplines: neuroscience and network science. 
• Quantitative Methods 1b – Thinking Through Data: Learn to analyse, summarise, and plot data to find patterns and draw conclusions, and understand how to use this data to help you think.
• Thinking Through Writing: Students learn writing, communication, critical thinking, argumentation and storytelling by focusing on one interdisciplinary kind of writing – manifesto writing.
• Problems 2A: Gain expertise in technology ethics, data studies, and legal and political theory. 
• Telling the Story of a Wicked Problem: Study storytelling, narrative and media techniques, and learn about the forms and structures storytellers use to talk about complex issues. 
• Capstone Project: Students choose a problem aligned with their passion and develop a research-led project showcasing their qualitative and quantitative understanding of the topic. 

Fees:

• £9,000 / a year for home students
• £17,000 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Hardship Grants: This financial aid helps learners who experience unexpected economic difficulties.
• Income from Internships: Students in an internship that pays at least the London Living Wage can apply for financial assistance.
• Financial Support Bursary: LIS provides financial aid to qualifying learners for every year of study for between £1,000 and £7,000.

Key Takeaways:

• There are internships for qualifying students to develop industry networks and expand their practical training.
• This programme's interdisciplinary approach is ideal for students who want to learn something other than specialised skills, preparing them for one career field.
• LIS provides a wide range of career and well-being support, making transitioning into the job market easier. 

BSc Politics and Management – University of Exeter 

The University of Exeter offers the BSc Politics and Management degree, which requires three years of full-time study. Students can also complete a fourth year abroad or work placement for real-world experience. This degree focuses on practical strategies and techniques for leading rapidly changing political environments.

Throughout this degree pathway, students will learn through lectures, tutorials, seminars, independent study and projects. There is also fieldwork for students to gain real-world experience through focus group discussions, stakeholder interviews, and public forums. 

Key Curriculum:

• Theory and Practice of Management
• Green Politics in Theory and Practice
• Politics of Work
• Environmental Knowledge Controversies

Fees:

• £9,535 / a year for home students
• £24,700 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Exeter Excellence Scholarships: Awarded based on academic achievement, international students can apply for financial support between £3,000 and £5,000. 
• Sanctuary Scholarship: Refugees and asylum seekers can apply for economic assistance.
• Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary: Qualifying students recognised as care leavers or estranged may apply for a £1000 bursary. 

Key Takeaways:

• Students can develop industry connections through work placement and study abroad opportunities.
• This pathway focuses on practical training through workshops and projects.
• There are many scholarships and bursaries available for international students. 

BSc Politics and International Relations – University of London

The BSc Politics and International Relations degree is designed for flexible study over three to six years. This allows working students to balance their education with other commitments. The programme focuses on a strong foundation in political systems, global governance, and international diplomacy.

Students learn through online study materials, live online sessions, and independent research, making this course ideal for self-motivated learners. The University of London also provides career support resources, such as live careers education webinars, alums and employer events, and a virtual learning environment. 

Key Curriculum:

• Introduction to International Relations
• Comparative Politics
• International Organisations
• Political Economy of Development

Fees:

• £6,000 / year for home and international students (based on full-time study)

Financial Aid:

• Regional Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and financial need.
• University of London Worldwide Hardship Fund: Qualifying students facing economic hardship can apply for £500 to help fund their studies for one academic year

Key Takeaways:

• Flexible learning options allow students to study at their own pace.
• The University of London offers a global perspective on politics and international relations.
• Limited scholarships and bursaries are available for students in this specific degree programme.

BA (Hons) Politics – Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University's BA (Hons) Politics degree spans three years of full-time study. Students have an optional year to complete a work placement and gain real-world experience. This programme focuses on foundational political issues, policy development, and public administration, preparing students for government, advocacy, or consultancy careers.

Students can attend lectures, seminars, and practical workshops throughout the programme. They can also access networking opportunities through guest lectures and field trips to institutions like the UK Parliament and European Union offices.

Key Curriculum:

• Psychology of Politics
• The Foundations of International Relations
• Global Capitalism & its Discontent
• Global Governance & International Justice

Fees:

• £9,535 / year for home students
• £18,700 - £19,700  / year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Unite Foundation Scholarship: UK students under 25 recognised as estranged or leaving local authority care can apply for three years of free accommodation. 
• BU Maintenance Bursary: Qualifying students can apply for up to  £2,400. 
• BU Academic Excellence Scholarship: This scholarship is available to international applicants with outstanding academic performance. 

Key Takeaways:

• There is an optional placement year that provides practical experience in political organisations.
• Students can participate in various learning methods to diversify their understanding of the programme. 
• Multiple scholarship opportunities are available to support home and international students.

BA Politics and Philosophy – University of Sussex

Aspiring political campaign managers can opt for the BA Politics and Philosophy degree at the University of Sussex. This pathway requires three years of full-time study, or students can study for four years and complete a work placement or study abroad programme. This pathway combines political science with philosophical inquiry, encouraging students to critically examine political systems, ethics, and the nature of governance.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, and independent research. Students are encouraged to engage with real-world issues through debates, group projects, and optional field trips to political institutions.

Key Curriculum:

• British Political History
• Explanatory Concepts in Political Science
• European Politics
• Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence

Fees:

• £9,535 / year for home students
• £22,575 / year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Sussex Bursary: This financial support awards of £1,000 for high-performing students.
• First-Generation Scholars Scheme: Qualifying students can apply for economic if they are the first in their families to attend university.
• Chancellor's International Scholarship: International students can apply for up to £5,000 for academic excellence. 

Key Takeaways:

• This programme combines politics and philosophy to provide a broader understanding of governance and ethics.
• There are opportunities for debates and real-world engagement with political systems.
• Students can find financial support options catering to home and international learners.

To start your career as a political campaign manager, you need to have the top skills employers seek and understand the job market. Here is the expertise every political campaign manager needs and the job outlook. 

Key Skills for Political Campaign Managers

To become a political campaign manager, professionals need diverse skill sets. Here are the top soft and practical skills every aspiring campaign manager needs:

• Leadership and Organisation: A campaign manager must oversee diverse teams, including campaign staff and volunteer coordinators, and ensure that all efforts align with the campaign's objectives.
• Strategic Thinking: Developing and executing a winning and digital media strategy is vital to connecting with voters and addressing critical campaign issues.
• Communication and Negotiation: From interacting with the press to liaising with interest groups, a campaign manager needs exceptional communication skills to keep the message on point.
• Fundraising and Financial Acumen: Organising fundraising events and raising money are essential to ensure the campaign has the resources to reach its goals.
• Adaptability and Problem-Solving: The ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and address unforeseen challenges is critical to keeping the campaign on track.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation: Using data from voter surveys, polls, and outreach efforts to inform campaign strategies and optimise decision-making.

Average Salary for Political Campaign Managers

The annual salary for political campaign managers in the UK is £37,500. Entry-level professionals earn around £32,500 per year, while those with extensive experience can earn around £52,500.

The more experience and qualifications professionals have, the easier they can secure a high-paying job after graduation. 

Is It Easy to Find a Political Campaign Manager Job After Graduation?

How easy it is to find a political campaign manager after graduation depends on your qualifications and what the job market looks like when you apply. 

Research confirms that over 50% of political graduates have secured full-time jobs, while just over 7% work part-time and 11,6% are progressing their degrees. 

Selecting the right degree is crucial for a successful political campaign manager career. 

To help you make the best choice, here are the top factors to consider when choosing a political campaign management degree. 

Interdisciplinary Learning

Priorise degree programmes that combine political science, communication, and marketing. This blend of disciplines ensures you develop the skills to manage campaigns effectively, from crafting an impactful digital strategy to win voters to understanding voter behaviour and campaign finance. Interdisciplinary learning equips you to address the multifaceted challenges of political campaigns.

Practical Opportunities

Choose degrees that offer internships, real-world projects, or placements with political organisations. These experiences allow you to gain hands-on knowledge of campaigns. For example, you can work on coordinating voter outreach efforts or work alongside event organisers to prepare as election day approaches. Practical exposure enhances your resume and prepares you for the fast-paced nature of campaign work.

Networking Potential

Degree pathways offering connections to the political world, such as alumni networks or partnerships with political organisations, can significantly boost your career prospects. Networking opportunities allow you to build relationships with key political figures, campaign staff, and interest groups, making it easier to jumpstart your career after graduation. 

Tuition Costs

Consider the financial investment required for your degree. Degree pathways are expensive; students must be prepared for these financial requirements. Evaluate scholarship opportunities or financial aid. Balancing affordability with programme quality is essential to ensure you gain the education and skills needed for your career while managing costs effectively. 

Many universities offer bursaries and grants for academic excellence, personal circumstances, and financial hardship. 

Choose LIS and Become a Political Campaign Manager Today

A career as a political campaign manager is ideal for individuals who are passionate about politics and want to help candidates win over supporters. These professionals guide the success of political campaigns, host fundraisers and help candidates prepare their speeches. While it is possible to launch a career in this field without a degree, achieving a bachelor’s degree can make it easier.

At LIS, we break away from monodisciplinary degree programmes and focus on an interdisciplinary pathway to help students become experts in a wide range of critical skills. 

Our approach gives students ultimate flexibility and control over what skills they learn and how to apply them in a work environment. We also deliver career and well-being resources, ensuring students have a positive learning experience.

Ready to become a political campaign manager? Contact LIS today.