International Relations (BSc)

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

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:

• interdisciplinary modules

• language modules

• a minor subject

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.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

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

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

Course leader

Steven Chisnall is the course leader.

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 2019). 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.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £18,520.

What your fees pay for

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

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees

• calculate your student finances

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

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

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 that's linked to your chosen subject area.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented 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.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: L250
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2021 entry now

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

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