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International Relations

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site - Highfield Campus
More about University of Southampton

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Is the world entering a new period of conflict and instability? How do nations interact with one another, and with what intentions? These are the type of questions you'll be asking and answering with a BSc in International Relations from the University of Southampton. We will further your understanding of international and global politics, allowing you to explore democracy and justice in today's society.

You'll examine international political systems and theories, trajectories and developments in contemporary global politics, and develop crucial skills in analytical and critical thinking, as well as highly valued independent research skills. You can also choose from 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.

Our alumni have gone on to careers in national and international political institutions, think tanks and advocacy organisations, the civil service, and journalism.

Choose Southampton and you'll also be joining a department ranked 11th in the UK for graduate prospects in politics and international relations (The Complete University Guide 2026.

Modules

With our International Relations course you will learn about the foreign and security policies of the major players in world politics.

Some of the modules you may study include Theorising International Politics; Ethics of War; and Advanced Social Data Science

For further module information visit https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/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.

This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site - Highfield Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 14 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
L250
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Southampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

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:
L250
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

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
ABB

Typical offer: ABB

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 plus grade A in the EPQ

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

DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma

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

Typical offer: 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit

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

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

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

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

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
DDM

DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
DD

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

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
D

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB from two A levels

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

ABB from three A levels or AB from two A levels and B from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.

Extended Project
A

The University of Southampton values the Extended Project Qualification. Applicants taking the EPQ in addition to three A levels, may also be made an alternative offer one grade below the standard offer, conditional on an A grade in the EPQ. For more information on the University of Southampton’s EPQ Admissions Policy, please see our EPQ Admissions Policy webpage.

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

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

Typical offer: D3 M2 M2 in three Principal subject

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer

GCSE/National 4/National 5

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

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 Admissions Team at AdmissionsUG.SS@soton.ac.uk

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5with no component less than 6.0
English Language proficiency for international students: 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. For more information on the University of Southampton’s English Language entry requirements, please see the English Language Proficiency webpage at http://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page.

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

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Most of the students who enrolled on this course in previous years met their offer conditions at our published entry criteria, securing their place on their chosen course.

We encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Learn more on the University of Southampton website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* 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

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