About this course

This BSc Politics and International Relations degree includes the study of traditional disciplines of political theory and comparative politics. You'll develop a grounding in the theory and practice of global politics. This will give you an in-depth understanding of the contemporary political world.

You'll learn the theory of politics and then specialise in areas of current political importance. These include globalisation, public policy, constitutional politics, security studies and migration. You'll study current problems and explore how to address them.

In this course, you can:

study political theory, global politics, public policy, and political analysis
examine the conventional wisdom about international relations and gain a more critical understanding of this important field
learn from hands-on activities such as public engagement and field trips to Whitehall and Westminster
learn about foreign and security policies of key states such as the USA, and principal institutions such as the UN and the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
choose from a wide array of topics through optional modules, including political topics relating to the UK, the EU or the US, and modules in criminology, economics or ethics

A BSc Politics and International Relations degree from the University of Southampton will:

develop your critical thinking skills
hone your analytical capacity
train you in a range of research skills that are highly valued by employers

You'll develop transferable skills such as:

effective oral and written communication
problem solving
data analysis

This degree gives excellent training for a range of careers, including roles in:

the civil service and international organisations
NGOs, advocacy and lobby groups
political campaigning
journalism
a broad range of business sectors

As a research-led University we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, this course may be revised however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

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.

ODT

Download 2023-24 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

A-levels

ABB

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

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. The contextual offer for this programme is BBB.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

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

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.

or

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.

or

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

In your first year, you'll be introduced to both subject areas with foundational modules. In year 2, you'll pursue an advanced study of democratic state systems and political theory. You'll explore the field of international relations. You'll also delve into research methods in detail. This will give you the skills you need to support your study in other modules and to prepare you for your dissertation in year 3. You can choose optional modules in each year of the programme.

You’ll also be able to broaden your experience by selecting:

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

You do not need to choose your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to customise your course.

Year 1 overview

You'll be introduced to political systems, analysing the differences between democracies, semi-democracies, and authoritarian regimes. This will be studied alongside important concepts within contemporary political theory.

You can choose from optional modules from politics or from related disciplines. For example, you can study micro-economics, ethics, or even get an introduction to mathematics for economics.

Year 2 overview

In year 2, you'll develop more advanced skills in research. You'll also review major theoretical ideas of political theory from Thucydides through to the writings of classical political economists in the 19th century. This will give you an understanding of how the fields of international relations and political theory have informed each other.

You'll also be able to choose from a broad range of optional modules. These include Chinese politics, the future of Europe, ethics and social policy.

Year 3 overview

For your dissertation you’ll research a politics or international relations topic of your choice. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate independent research, analysis and communication skills.

You'll also be able to choose from optional modules on topics as diverse as the study of prisons and punishment in society, ethical debates, or the future of the EU. The module 'Imagining European Futures' invites students to come up with bold, creative and innovative ideas about the desired shape of European integration, while showing students how to ground these ideas in a thoroughly researched empirical context.

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

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2024 to 2025

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 ...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
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:

20%

Scheduled learning & teaching

80%

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:

31%

Written exam

59%

Coursework

10%

Practical exam

Academic support

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

Course leader

John Glenn is the course leader.

Careers

You’ll graduate with a wide range of transferable skills such as research, critical thinking, analysis and team working. Career skills are embedded at every stage of our courses and certain modules offer specific teaching in reasoning and communication.

Our graduates enter exciting careers where they are able to use the skills gained through their degree, such as research and analysis for think tanks, public affairs and lobbying, and issue advocacy.

Careers are available in international organisations, including the EU, NGOs, third sector, civil service, political and advocacy organisations, journalism, teaching, banking, international law, the business and corporate sector, and the Ministry of Defence.

Our politics and international relations graduates have secured roles as diverse as:

management consultants
business analysts
social scientists
researchers
journalists
civil servants

Our Politics and International Relations degree is also a good foundation for further study at masters or PhD level.

The University’s Excel Internship Programme can help you find a paid work placement during the Easter or summer vacation.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. 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 £22,300.

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.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: L260
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

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

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About this course

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