University of Nottingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
How do relationships between nations shape our world? Who holds power, and how do political processes impact our daily lives? Our BA Politics and International Relations course will help you answer these questions and more. Studying the core areas of comparative politics, political theory, and international relations, helps you gain a comprehensive understanding of how politics shapes domestic and global issues. You'll explore different theories and learn how they inform policy decisions, developing critical thinking, analytical, and research skills that are highly valued in various professional fields. Our graduates go on to work across the private, public, and charitable sectors in a range of roles, from parliamentary assistants and councillors to civil servants, researchers, and data analysts. With optional modules, you can tailor your degree to your interests and career goals, exploring specialist areas such as social justice, global security, and secret intelligence. You also have the option to take a specialised quantitative methods pathway that includes training in data science, giving you an extra edge in the job market. Through this course you'll broaden your understanding of domestic and global politics and develop the skills you need to make a positive impact in the world.
Modules
In year one, you will typically take modules which are designed to introduce you to key concepts and theories across the broad field of politics and international relations. You will explore controversies in British politics, key political ideas and historical developments, and compare modern democratic states. Year two covers core topics on elections and 20th century international politics. You will choose from range of optional modules from across the three core areas of political theory, comparative politics, and international relations. In year three, you will have the option to write a dissertation based on a topic of your choice under the supervision of a member of staff. You may also choose from a wide range of modules related to our research areas. You have free choice in this year and can tailor the course to your interests and career aspirations. You can take a specialised pathway to graduate with a BA Politics and International Relations (Quantitative Methods) degree. This pathway includes training in the quantitative analysis of a range of datasets.
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- L290
- Institution code:
- N84
- Campus name:
- University Park Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits
Scottish Higher - AABBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Scottish Advanced Higher - AA
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) - A
Extended Project - A
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M1, M2
GCSE/National 4/National 5
European Baccalaureate - 80% Overall
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £23000* | Year 1 |
| International | £23000* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham
NG7 2RD
Course contact details
Visit our course pageUndergraduate admissions
+44 (0) 115 951 5559