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International Relations
- BA (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 21/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
BA International Relations covers themes such as war and security, diplomacy and development, globalisation and global power relations, communication and resistance, and international political economy.
You will gain a solid foundation in the history of international relations and IR theory, studying subjects such as decolonisation, international organisations, European integration, foreign-policy making, counterterrorism, human migration and non-state violence – allowing you to understand better the complexity of contemporary global governance and the theories that explain it. As you progress through the degree, the flexible nature of the course allows you to specialise in those aspects of international relations that most interest you.
You will gain an in-depth understanding of international politics, examining how states, groups and individuals interact across borders, and you will consider some of the most important issues that confront the world today. Your studies will give you a solid grasp of how the world of international relations works, taking into account, among other things, the recent global economic crisis, changes in the European Union, immigration, human rights, global terrorism, the rise of China, the power of the US, conflict in the Middle East and the problems hampering African states.
The Department of Politics and International Relations has a strong commitment to high-quality, cutting-edge research, all of which informs our teaching. We are a research community that applies various theories and methods to the study of domestic, transnational, regional and global politics. We have expertise in African, British, Chinese, European, Middle East, North American and South Asian politics, and our research covers areas such as security, democratisation, youth politics, international diplomacy and political communication, as well as contemporary and radical theories of democracy and power.
Study with leading experts on Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.
Study key issues in conflict and security, humanitarian crises and development.
Be a Model UN delegate or visit an embassy with our student societies.
The flexibility to specialise in what interests you.
Work placement opportunities.
Modules
Please refer to our website for information https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/politics-and-international-relations/international-relations/
Assessment method
Your course will be assessed by a combination of examinations and in-course assignments in the form of essays or presentations.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 21/09/2026
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:
- LF50
- Institution code:
- R72
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Royal Holloway, University of 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:
- LF50
- Institution code:
- R72
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB - BBB
- Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required.
- Socio-economic factors which may have impacted an applicant’s education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
BTEC must be in a related subject
Access to HE Diploma - D: 27 credits M: 18 credits P: 0 credits
Access must be in a related subject area.
Scottish Higher - AABBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
BTEC must be in a related subject plus one A-Level grade B.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Plus two A-Levels graded B,B
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DDD
BTEC must be in a related subject
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD
BTEC must be in a related subject plus one A-Level grade B.
Scottish Advanced Higher - ABB - BBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
6,5,5 at Higher Level OR a minimum of 32 points overall
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H3, H3, H3
At Higher level.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We require English and Mathematics at grade 4/C.
Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us at admissions.enquiries@rhul.ac.uk to discuss your situation.
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.
At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.
Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London website
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.
- Data from:
- This course and 9 other politics courses
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- AAA
- Highest grades
- CCD
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
How do you compare?
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £26800 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| England | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Year 1 |
| International | £26800 | Year 1 |
* 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
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £9,535
EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £26,800
Other essential costs***: There are no single associated costs greater than £50 per item on this course.
*The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. This figure is the fee for the academic year 2025/26 and is shown as a guide. The fee for the academic year 2026/27 has not yet been announced.
**This figure is the fee for EU and international students on this course in the academic year 2026/27.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/
*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Sponsorship information
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studyhere/undergraduate/feesandfunding/bursariesandscholarships/home.aspx
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Main Contact
Email:Admissions.Enquiries@RoyalHolloway.ac.uk
Phone:01784 414944
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