About this course

Discover the causes of conflict, instability and poverty. Explore democracy and justice in today's society. With our International Relations undergraduate degree, you'll learn both the theory and practice of global politics. You'll develop analytical, critical thinking and research skills. This course can lead to careers in national and global politics, think tanks, and more.

With our International Relations course you'll learn about the foreign and security policies of the major players in world politics. You'll study principal institutions such as the United Nations and World Trade Organization (WTO).

You'll develop your critical thinking, and enhance your analytical and research skills, which are highly valued by employers.

You can also choose from a range of topics with a range of optional modules. For example, you can focus on the politics of the UK, the EU or the US, or study modules in criminology, economics or ethics.

As part of your degree you can:

study global issues, like arms control, security, migration, and how they apply to different regions
take part in public engagement activities and optional field trips to Whitehall and Westminster
study abroad in Europe, the Far East or North America
gain work experience with a year-long placement in industry

You'll develop transferable skills such as:

effective oral and written communication
problem-solving
data analysis
independent thought

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2022 to 2023. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

ODT

Download 2022-23 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

A-levels

ABB

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

More information about A-levels

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBB and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: BBB

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level

More information about International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

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.

BTEC

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB from two A levels

DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus B from one A-level

DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma

Additional information

The University aims to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds who we believe have the potential and motivation to succeed on our challenging programmes. We are committed to fair admissions and strive to ensure we give equal consideration to all applicants who possess the necessary knowledge and skills.

More information about BTEC

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

You'll take a mix of compulsory and optional modules in each year of the programme. In your final year, you'll complete a dissertation.

You can also broaden your experience by selecting:

Along with these options, our Curriculum Innovation Programme allows you to take modules outside your core disciplines.

You don't need to choose your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to customise your course.

Year 1 overview

We'll introduce you to the world of international relations. Core modules will look at political theory and the concept of political inquiry.

You'll study political systems and explore the differences between democracies, semi-democracies, and authoritarian regimes.

You'll also choose optional modules from politics or related disciplines. For example, you could study topics like:

microeconomics
ethics
human origins
population and society

Year 2 overview

You'll advance your research skills and methods. This will give you the skills you need to prepare for the dissertation next year.

Modules will cover international political theory and major political thought, from Thucydides through to 19th century classical economists. This will show you the link between international relations and political.

You'll also choose from a broad range of optional modules. These include:

public policy analysis
the future of Europe
social policy
Chinese politics

Year 3 overview

For your dissertation you’ll choose a topic from Politics or International Relations. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your independent research, analysis and communication skills.

You'll also choose from optional modules on topics such as:

prisons and punishment in society
the future of the EU
cinema and political theory
American political thought

The module 'Imagining European Futures' invites students to create bold and innovative ideas to shape European integration. It shows students how to ground these ideas in a thoroughly researched empirical context.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

You must study the following modules in year 1:

A (Dis) United Kingdom? Myth and Reality in British Politics

Recent referenda on UK withdrawal from the European Union and Scottish withdrawal from the UK appear to have brought simmering tensions in politics on these islands to the fore - or perhaps even created a newly polarised politics. Moreover, while support ...

Crises of the 21st Century

Engaging Political Ideas

Students should gain a knowledge of how political ideas - such as freedom, equality, justice, or democracy - have been understood in different and incompatible ways, and how those different understandings have been the occasion for ideological or normativ...

Introduction to International Relations

• Introduce students to the study of structures, actors and policy processes in international politics • Enable students to distinguish between competing explanations of international relations • Develop students’ ability to restate arguments and apply ...

Political Systems

This module provides an introduction to the study of politics and the key concepts and theoretical approaches in comparative politics. Pre-requisite for PAIR2031, PAIR2037, PAIR3039 and PAIR3046

Political Texts

Politics Book Club

This module examines some of the concrete political challenges of our time through the use of key texts chosen by staff members who work in the relevant fields. We will spend two weeks on each text, with two lectures giving a precis of the main arguments ...

Simple Liars, Damned Liars and Experts: the use of empirical research in social science

A key skill of a social scientist is to be able to assess the quality of evidence presented based on strong methodological foundations. We need to understand what constitutes evidence, including how it can be produced, agreed, disputed, disseminated and m...

Understanding the Social World

This module lays down the foundations for conducting social research in any discipline within the social sciences, focused around criminology, economics, international relations, politics, population sciences, social policy and sociology. The module will ...

You must study the following modules in year 2:

The Struggle for Democracy

To introduce the theoretical underpinnings of the democratic state; to outline theoretical and practical changes and challenges to the democratic state both today and in the future; to draw links between theoretical ideas about the democratic state and de...

Theorising International Politics

Although a ‘common sense’ view of world politics is often presented in non-academic contexts, there is little agreement among experts on what international relations is, and how we should think about the discipline. This module enables students to critica...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:

American Political Thought

For many people, the phrase “American political thought” either has an obvious meaning – some version of liberal democracy, surely – or it is a contradiction in terms – America has politics, but seems to exercise little thought. This module sets the recor...

Chinese Politics

After briefly considering the relevance of the traditional Chinese world order to contemporary Chinese political life, the module then focuses on two core themes: (1) Chinese domestic politics; (2) China’s external relations. Units on Chinese politics wil...

Cinema and political Theory

Citizenship and Conflict in the United States

Reading and discussing an exemplary document from each period ( Lectures on each topic).

Citizenship in a Globalising World

Contemporary Theories of Justice

The aim of this module is to familiarise you with several important, but competing, theories of justice. Such theories give guidance on important questions of distributive justice (who ought to get what, when and why?), and provide, to varying degrees, gr...

Democratic Theory

Most states claim to be democratic. This module looks at the theory of democracy, including foundational questions about political inclusion, participation, and equality. As a result, students will develop a greater understanding of what democracy require...

Democratisation in Global Politics: why do some regimes thrive and others flounder?

Less than a century ago democracy was a relatively rare form of government. Today it is typically seen as the only legitimate type of political regime. Indeed, the language of democracy has assumed such usage that even dictators employ supposedly democrat...

Development and International Relations

• To take a deep and critical look at the contested nature of development and to evaluate the development achievement. • To study in depth the mainstream economic development ideology from the early 1980s to the present, focusing on the Washington and po...

Diaspora Politics in Transnational Space

A sample of topics addressed in this module includes: a) theoretical approaches to the subject; b) the redefinition of the notions of sovereignty, borders, citizenship, and national identity; c) the role and mobilization of diasporas as transnational poli...

Dilemmas of Leadership

Have you ever considered what it takes to be a political leader? Have you ever wondered why political leaders make the decisions that they do? Have you ever thought about the types of dilemmas that leaders face every day as the seek to enact forms of demo...

Ethics of Public Policy

This module involves the ethical evaluation of public policies. Note that it is not primarily concerned with how public policies are made and implemented, nor with non-ethical assessment of them, such as how effective they are in achieving their aims. The...

Ethics of War

This module provides an overview of ethical challenges associated with the use of force for political purposes. Drawing on historical and contemporary ideas and information, we consider whether, how and why ethical principles influence strategic and tacti...

European Security Governance

It is the first time in history that we can approach the problem of European security architecture in terms of governance, rather than hegemony or the balance of power. The proliferation of European and global institutions concerned with addressing differ...

Gender, Power and Politics

How can we understand the role of gender in political systems? Why is it important to acknowledge the intersections of gender with race, class, sexuality and disability? What can/should be done about male over-representation in legislatures worldwide? Why...

Global Justice: Poverty, Inequality and the Environment

Globalisation and World Politics

The module will look at the main issues and trends, concepts and definitions on globalisation within the discipline of international relations.

Imagining European Futures

The European integration project has achieved a point, at which fundamental questions concerning its near and long-term future need to be urgently addressed. Unfortunately, the current debates are often hindered by the loud and dominant voices of extremis...

International Security and Climate Change

The module provides a wide overview of the key theories and issues related to contemporary international security. The module includes eight theme-based lectures, preceded by general introductions and finishing with revision and assessment. Each theme-bas...

Introduction to Social Data Analytics

This module will develop understanding of how to quantitatively analyse data in the social sciences, building on the foundations from the research methods modules in the first year. It will be focused around the common methods for data analysis that are n...

Migration, Borders, Refuge: Political Ethics in an Age of Mobility

Migration is both a political topic that is growing in importance under contemporary conditions of global transformation and an issue that raises important (and difficult) questions for political theory. This module is designed to address these questions ...

Partisans, Public Opinion and Elections: Understanding the Political Mind

Equal opportunity In line with the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy, individuals are treated on their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the module, School and University. The aim of the policy is to ensure t...

Political Thinking

An introduction to political thinking, focusing on major thinkers and themes and exploring how to engage in political theorising. Pre-requisite for PAIR3015

Politics of Global Health

This module provides an overview of the politics surrounding efforts to safeguard and promote human health worldwide. Drawing on ideas and information from within and beyond the discipline of International Relations, it incorporates five overlapping persp...

Politics of Protest, Civil Disobedience and Violence

Politics of the Media

This module provides a theoretical and empirical overview of the role played by information, communication, and media within the politics of the modern state. Students are introduced to canonical as well as marginal and emerging perspectives on media poli...

Power and Ethics Before Machiavelli

The framing of this module is that Machiavelli has seriously misled modern political thinking by permitting a wedge to be driven between morality and politics. Even if that was not Machiavelli’s intention, that has been the consequence of his ideas. Thus,...

Public Policy Analysis

This module introduces key theories and models in the study of public policy and seeks to encourage a critical appreciation of the main trends in contemporary public policy-making. It links policy theory with practical skills of analysis and advocacy.

Qualitative Research in Politics & International Relations

This module will introduce students to the practice of qualitative research in politics and international relations. Students will learn and apply key skills involved in gathering and analysing qualitative data, and reflect on the strengths and limitation...

Reinventing Democracy: Innovation, Participation and Power

All over the world the ideal of democratic government has higher support than at almost any time in human history. Yet many citizens of democracies are very frustrated with the way the democracy they live in works. It is one thing to recognise the contemp...

Strategy and War

The development of Strategy and its implementation, for good or ill, has had enormous impact on shaping the world. It has a fascinating history, traceable from the Hebrew Bible and ancient Greece to the widespread overuse of the word today to cover actio...

The Ethics and Politics of Migration

The Politics and Governance of the EU

This module focuses on the European Union (EU) as a system of public policy-making and aims to provide students with a working knowledge of the history of European integration, the main EU institutions, the EU policy process, main theoretical debates as w...

You must study the following module in year 3:

Dissertation in Politics & International Relations

The researching and writing of an 8,000-word dissertation provides you with the opportunity to integrate and hone a variety of skills acquired and extended during your studies, and to significantly deepen your knowledge of a topic of your choice. In m...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:

Advanced Social Data Science

The human sciences are evolving fast to incorporate new forms of data and powerful new analysis tools. Advances in machine learning have allowed huge improvements in our ability to predict individual characteristics and preferences, while our interactio...

American Political Thought

Applied Social Quantitative Analysis

This module will develop the skills of the student as a social researcher to conduct in depth analyses of secondary, large scale datasets, leading up to the use of these techniques in the final year dissertations and ensuring that students have appropriat...

Chinese Politics

Cinema and Political Theory

This module explores the relationship between cinema and political theory. More specifically it addresses cinema as a distinct medium of political theorizing or political education. The module explores this topic through critical engagement of SOME of the...

Citizenship and Conflict in the United States

Reading and discussing an exemplary document for each period; lectures on each

Contemporary Theories of Justice

Democratic Theory

Democratisation in Global Politics: why do some regimes thrive and others flounder?

Development and International Relations

The module will reflect on who or what constitutions the "South" in internal relationships, to take a deep and critical look at the contested nature of development and to evaluate the development achievement, and to study in depth the mainstream economic ...

Diaspora Politics in Transnational Space

A sample of topics addressed in this module includes: a) theoretical approaches to the subject matter; b) the redefinition of the notions of sovereignty, borders, citizenship, and national identity; c) the role and mobilization of diasporas as transnation...

Dilemmas of Leadership

Ethics of Public Policy

Ethics of War

European Security Governance

Gender, Power and Politics

Global Justice: Poverty, Inequality and the Environment

This module provides an introduction to recent debates within international political theory on the issue of global justice. It addresses questions such as: What obligations do individuals have to those affected by poverty or ecological degradation on t...

Globalisation and World Politics

The module will look at the main issues and trends, concepts and definitions on globalisation within the discipline of international relations.

Imagining European Futures

International Security and Climate Change

Migration, Borders, Refuge: Political Ethics in an Age of Mobility

Migration is one of the fundamental issues for 21st century politics. The module focuses on the philosophical arguments concerning: 1. Open borders and a human right to freedom of movement 2. The unilateral right of states to exclude migrants 3. Democ...

Partisans, Public Opinion and Elections: Understanding the Political Mind

This course introduces key theories and models in the study of political behaviour and political psychology and seeks to encourage students to develop a critical appreciation of how people develop their political beliefs and preferences, and how this affe...

Politics of Global Health

Politics of Protest, Civil Disobedience and Violence

Politics of the Media

Power and Ethics Before Machiavelli

Public Policy Analysis

Reinventing Democracy: Innovation, Participation and Power

Strategy and War

The Ethics and Politics of Migration

Migration is a topic at the centre of political concerns on scales ranging from local to global. The central question that this module addresses is this: How should transnational migration be governed? It does so by focusing on the key normative deb...

The Politics and Governance of the EU

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

19%

Scheduled learning & teaching

81%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

coursework, laboratory reports and essays
dissertations
essays
group essays
individual and group projects
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

25%

Written exam

60%

Coursework

15%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Jonathan Havercroft is the course leader.

Careers

You’ll graduate with a wide range of transferable skills such as research, critical thinking, analysis and team working.

We'll develop your career skills at every stage of the course, and certain modules will provide teaching in reasoning and communication.

Our graduates enter exciting careers where they can use the skills they've gained, such as:

research and analysis for think-tanks
public affairs and lobbying
issue advocacy

Careers are available in international organisations, including:

the EU
NGOs
civil service
political and advocacy organisations
journalism
teaching
banking
international law
Ministry of Defence

Our graduates have gone onto a range International Relations careers, including:

management consultant
business analyst
human resources practitioner
global public relations professional
journalist

This course also provides a good foundation for further studies at Masters or PhD level.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

You can choose to spend a year in employment during this course.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £20,340.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

International Relations (BSc)

About this course

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Changes due to COVID-19

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202324

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

Additional information

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Foundation programmes for international students

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

Year 1 modules

A (Dis) United Kingdom? Myth and Reality in British Politics

Crises of the 21st Century

Engaging Political Ideas

Introduction to International Relations

Political Systems

Political Texts

Politics Book Club

Simple Liars, Damned Liars and Experts: the use of empirical research in social science

Understanding the Social World

Year 2 modules

The Struggle for Democracy

Theorising International Politics

American Political Thought

Chinese Politics

Cinema and political Theory

Citizenship and Conflict in the United States

Citizenship in a Globalising World

Contemporary Theories of Justice

Democratic Theory

Democratisation in Global Politics: why do some regimes thrive and others flounder?

Development and International Relations

Diaspora Politics in Transnational Space

Dilemmas of Leadership

Ethics of Public Policy

Ethics of War

European Security Governance

Gender, Power and Politics

Global Justice: Poverty, Inequality and the Environment

Globalisation and World Politics

Imagining European Futures

International Security and Climate Change

Introduction to Social Data Analytics

Migration, Borders, Refuge: Political Ethics in an Age of Mobility

Partisans, Public Opinion and Elections: Understanding the Political Mind

Political Thinking

Politics of Global Health

Politics of Protest, Civil Disobedience and Violence

Politics of the Media

Power and Ethics Before Machiavelli