Skip navigation

International Relations

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 to 4 years
  • Full-time
  • 22 September 2025
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Leicester

Course options

2025-20262026-20272027-2028
Apply

Course summary

The world is built on relationships. But how are these shaped and tested by global issues like terrorism, human rights and the distribution of power? You’ll learn about the key concepts of international relations, as well as how to work out in the field.

Over the course of our International Relations BA you will explore some of the most important and interesting issues in international relations, including order and disorder in international relations, human rights in the global order, old and new security challenges, and the impact of globalisation.

Our lecturers produce internationally renowned, cutting-edge research, and are keen to share their knowledge. During your time with us, we will encourage you to focus your studies on your own areas of interest. You will benefit from a wide range of exciting module choices – and as our lecturers have such diverse interests, you will receive enthusiastic support and guidance for whichever area you choose.

Your core modules will cover international relations from 1945 to the present, ethics and international relations, the world economy, theories of international relations, international security and foreign policy. You will also be able to choose from a range of option modules covering issues such as gender and international relations, old and new wars, counter-terrorism and international development. Regions covered in depth on the course include the US, Europe, Africa and Latin America.

Modules

For more information on this course and a full list of modules, visit the course information page on our website

Assessment method

For more information on the methods of assessment on this course, visit the course information page on our website

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 to 4 years

Start dates

  • 22 September 2025

Apply by
29 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:
L34
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

University of Leicester 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
29 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:
L34
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Contact the Admissions Team at study@le.ac.uk with details of the course you are studying including modules taken, previous qualifications obtained with grades (at GCSE and A Level or equivalent), the reason for your transfer request.

Entry requirements

A level
BBB

All subjects accepted. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level.

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

Access to HE Diploma
D: 24 credits

Pass Access to H.E. Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 credits at Distinction.

Scottish Higher

Qualification accepted. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

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

Considered alongside other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

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

Considered alongside other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

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

Considered alongside other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

Scottish Advanced Higher

Qualification accepted. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
28 points

Pass Diploma with 28 points overall.

Extended Project

Considered alongside other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

Qualification accepted. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

T Level
M

Merit in Management and Administration. Other subjects may be considered. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the programme of study and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous examination results.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

For further details of our English Language requirements please see our websitehttps://le.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-language-requirements

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 University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria.

Learn more on the University of Leicester 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

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

The tuition fee for home students is reviewed annually and for the academic year 2025/6 it is £9,535. The fee for subsequent years may increase in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used will be RPIX, which includes all the items in the Retail Price Index, excluding mortgage payments. For your information, the inflation rate used by the Government when increasing the tuition fee from £9,250 to £9,535 was 3.1%.

Fees for international students can be found on the individual course pages. https://le.ac.uk/courses

For further information about fees and funding please see the following page of the University website: https://le.ac.uk/student-life/undergraduates/fees-funding

Related courses

At University of Leicester

Like this page