The Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom
Analysis
The Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in October 1998, 28 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes and education/training, which this site groups under education and training. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03628986). It says it makes grants to individuals, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom reported income of £932k and spending of £910k, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £756k to £932k (+23%), an average of +5.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2024, when income rose by 15%. Over the whole period it spent 84% of the income it received.
Among 21,402 England and Wales charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, The Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom sits at the 93rd percentile: it is larger than about 93% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 93rd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Futuredotnow (£929k), Alliance Publishing Trust (£934k) and International Baccalaureate Fund UK (£924k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 90%, investments 8.1% and donations and legacies 1.7%. Charitable activities took 97% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £2.8m would cover about 36 months of spending at that rate. It employed 9 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 1.7%
- Charitable activities 90%
- Investments 8.1%
In the charity's own words
The Association exists to promote the development of political studies and to encourage education and the advancement of learning in the subject. To this end it publishes 4 journals and a magazine in partnership with Sage; arranges an annual conference, graduate conference and Heads of Department conference and supports an array of specialist research groups and activities for schools.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Futuredotnow | Oxford | £929k |
| Alliance Publishing Trust | London | £934k |
| International Baccalaureate Fund UK | Suisse | £924k |
| Sharing One Language | Devon | £935k |