14Jun
UndergraduateCourse summary
Our Joint Honours Politics and International Relations degree is designed for students who are interested in domestic politics (including the study of political theory, states, elections, and parliaments) as well as politics between countries (with a focus on international relations theory, security studies, and conflict). The degree allows students to develop expertise in both areas and to explore topics (such as environmental politics, global political economy, and international development) where they intersect. The course is designed to give students a strong grounding in both politics and international relations in the first year, before allowing greater specialisation as well as increasing focus on the domestic/international intersection in the second year and building to a final year that centres on self-directed learning, allowing students flexibility to choose topics and areas that they wish to focus on. In the final year you also have the chance to take an internship with the Welsh Parliament and a British Parliamentary Studies module, partly taught by expert staff from the Houses of Parliament. As part of this programme, you will spend a year abroad between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experience. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year. If you wish to receive more information, please get in touch with us on [email protected] Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, Why Politics and International Relations at Swansea? Politics at Swansea is ranked:
- 4th in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)
- 8th in the UK for Academic Support (NSS 2024*)
- Politics and International Relations at Swansea University is ranked in the Top 250 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
- 4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
- Top 15 in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2025)
- Politics and International Relations at Swansea University is ranked in the Top 250 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
- We offer varied and flexible course content, so you can shape your Politics and International Relations degree to your own interests.
- Topics include British and European politics, public policy, political theory and philosophy, electoral issues, democracy and International peace and conflict.
- Teaching is informed by our world-leading research and you can attend seminars organised through our guest speaker programme.
- You will have a personal tutor for any pastoral and academic support you may need.
Modules
In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Introduction to Politics; Politics and the People; Introduction to International Relations; War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Disinformation, Ideology and Bias: Researching and examining political data; Introduction to Ancient Philosophy and Rhetoric; Statws y Gymraeg; Reading Great Works of Philosophy... In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations; The State and Political Institutions; The History of Political Thought; Global Justice and Human Rights; International Security; Globalisation; Investigating Gender... As part of this programme, you will spend a year abroad between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experience. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year. If you wish to receive more information, please get in touch with us on [email protected] In Year 4, you will typically study areas including: Researching Politics; Senedd Cymru/The Welsh Parliament; Capitalism and Justice; Genocide; Politics and International Development; The Philosophy and Politics of Identity; Shadow Wars: US Presidents and covert action from the Cold War to Trump... You will also undertake a dissertation.
Assessment method
We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students. Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching. Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study.
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:
- L258
- Institution code:
- S93
- Campus name:
- Singleton Park Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
If you are an International Student, please visit our International pages for more information about entry requirements: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/international/students/requirements/
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 120 points
A level - BBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3, H3
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) and no less than 5.5 in each component.
English Language Requirements at Swansea University
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements/
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
No fee information has been provided for this course
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
For the latest fee information, please check the individual course page on our website. Our full range of programmes are listed here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/
Further information on tuition fees can be found here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/
Provider information
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP