At the University of Southampton, we are as passionate about politics as you are. With a BSc Politics and International Relations degree, you can help shape the world and make a difference. We want you to enjoy your degree, learn valuable skills and knowledge, and go on to do amazing things in your career. Alongside teaching you all the skills and knowledge you need to succeed, we have also developed career initiatives to give you a head start. These include PAIR (Politics and International Relations) specific internships, which offer you the opportunity to work with one of our academics on their groundbreaking research projects. We are proud to say that due to this, and other initiatives, we are ranked 11th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Complete University Guide, 2026). Furthermore, as part of the Russell Group, our rigorous scientific research feeds directly into your modules – into the skills and knowledge you learn in lectures, seminars, and computer labs Key features of this course:

You will learn the core foundations of British politics, comparative politics, political theory, and research methods.

You can choose to specialise in our areas of specialism – such as understanding public opinion, migration and human rights, democratic innovations, or the politics of ethics – or choose from other modules in the Faculty of Social Sciences such as criminology, economics, or statistics.

Our staff are world-leading researchers and lecturers, publishing their research in the best academic journals, driving real impact, and bringing this directly to the modules you learn.

Student Support Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) will be there to help guide you throughout your time at Southampton, offering career advice and guidance, as well as signposting to pastoral services if needed. Every lecturer you have will also have ‘office hours’, where you can come and ask any questions you need. With connections and experience across international organisations across the World, UK-based think tanks, councils and government, our academics have real-world knowledge to help guide your career choices. Further information The department is based at Highfield Campus, our oldest and largest campus, located close to Southampton Common. It's the academic heart of our University and home to social events, sports facilities, and our Students' Union. Our BSc Politics and International Relations course is three years. You can find further information on our course page.

Modules

On our Politics and International Relations course you will acquire a grounding in the theory and practise of global politics and develop an in-depth understanding of the contemporary political world. Some of the modules you may study include Understanding the Social World; Cinema and Political Theory; and Advanced Social Data Science For further module information visit https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/politics-international-relations-degree-bsc#modules

Assessment method

Modules are examined through a combination of examinations and coursework, and the specific arrangements vary according to module. Final degree classifications are based on marks from the second and third years.

How to apply

14Jan

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:: L260

Institution code:: S27

Campus name:: Main Site - Highfield 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 - ABB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Scottish Higher

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4"

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DDM

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) - D

Scottish Advanced Higher

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

Typical offer: Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP): Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - B

Extended Project - A

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M2, M2

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate. You will be expected to attain an equivalent standard to the A level applicant. For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Faculty Admissions Team at [email protected]

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/politics/undergraduate/courses/l260_bsc_politics_and_international_relations.page

English language requirements

Test	Grade	Additional details
IELTS (Academic)	6.5	with no component below 6.0

All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.

Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page

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

England	£9535*	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£9535*	Year 1
Scotland	£9535*	Year 1
Wales	£9535*	Year 1
Channel Islands	£9535*	Year 1
Republic of Ireland	£9535*	Year 1
EU	£26000	Year 1
International	£26000	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

Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

Provider information

Visit our website

University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ

Course contact details

Visit our course page

Undergraduate Admissions - Faculty of Social Sciences

[email protected]

023 8059 4732

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Location	Qualification	Study mode	Duration	Start date	Apply
Main Site - Highfield Campus	BSc (Hons) - Bachelor of Science (with Honours)	Full-time	3 years	21 September 2026	Available to Apply	Course option 5b40cda5-466e-4ffc-ad2f-530f0298007c

Politics and International Relations at University of Southampton - UCAS

Degree level: Undergraduate

Politics and International Relations

Course options

Open days

Course summary