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International Social and Political Studies

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 28/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
Awarded by:
University College London
More about UCL (University College London)

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

The BA in International Social and Political Studies combines specialisation in one of nine humanities and social sciences, plus Q-step, with a broad base in history, law, politics and philosophy, and fluency in a language. The programme is designed as ‘PPE or SPS with a foreign language’, where you will gain access to the literature of your chosen specialism in both English and your major language. You may focus in the degree on areas such as North and South America or China and East Asia. You will normally do one major language. Those students who wish to combine a European and a non-European language may do so, following a major/minor model, which also exists in the partner programme of ESPS (30 credits of minor language instead of a specialism in Years One and Two)

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28/09/2026

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:
LV01
Institution code:
U80
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

UCL (University College London) 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:
LV01
Institution code:
U80
Campus name:
Main Site
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 - A*AA

A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A* required for full Economics specialism if chosen. French or Spanish required if one of these is to be studied as major language. Contextual Offers: please visit the course webpage for further details about our Access UCL scheme.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma - D: 36 credits M: 9 credits

Pass in Access to HE Diploma, with a minimum of 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated. Grade A at A level in French or Spanish (or equivalent) required if one of these is to be studied as the major language. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.

Scottish Higher - Not accepted

Scottish Advanced Higher - AAA

A1,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher). French or Spanish required at Advanced Higher if taken as a major language, plus a social science or humanities subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A1 required for the Economics specialism, if chosen. See A levels for subject requirements.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 39 points

A total of 19 points in three higher level subjects, with no score lower than 5. Higher level subjects to include French B, or Spanish B at grade 6 if either of these is to be studied as a major language. A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) at higher level is normally preferred. Mathematics at grade 7 at higher level is required for the full Economics specialism, if chosen. Contextual Offers: please visit the course webpage for further details about our Access UCL scheme.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) - Not accepted

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D2, D3, D3

D2,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. French or Spanish required if taken as major languages, plus a social science or humanities subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at D2 required for full Economics specialism if chosen.

English Language at grade B or 6, plus Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Additional entry requirements

Admission tests
Institutions Own Test (IOT)
For the 2026 cycle, alongside the UCAS application, UCL will require all applicants to sit the TARA (The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions) run by University Admissions Tests UK. TARA is a new test available from 2026. It is a non-subject-specific test designed to assess essential skills required for undergraduate study. There will be an entry fee for the test. More information about the test will be shortly available on University Admissions Tests UK website - https://esat-tmua.ac.uk/

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.

The data presented has been determined by UCAS, if you have queries on the data contact UCAS. UCL is committed to fair admissions and considers applicants who apply by the UCAS equal consideration deadlines. We receive a high volume of applications for limited places, consequently offers are not made to all academically eligible applicants. We run a contextual offer scheme for underrepresented groups, Access UCL. For full details of our entry requirements visit our Undergraduate Prospectus.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
EU£29800Year 1
International£29800Year 1

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

For information about tuition fees please visit our dedicated webpage for more details: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/fees-and-funding. The fees indicated above are for undergraduate entry in the 2025/26 academic year. Fees will be higher for those commencing study in the academic year 2026/27 or later. UCL reserves the right to increase its UK fees in line with the government policy (including on an annual basis for each year of study during a programme). Overseas fees are fixed at the rate of entry, the fees indicated above will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme.

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