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International Relations and Development

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 28 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Birmingham

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Our BA in International Relations and Development uniquely integrates global development with political analysis, preparing you to tackle pressing global issues. You’ll gain practical experience through placements and study tours, deepen your research and critical thinking skills, and finish by completing a dissertation on a topic of personal interest. This interdisciplinary approach equips you with the knowledge and tools for a career in international development, policy-making, or beyond.

By blending academic insight with practical experience, this course shapes your career and equips you to tackle global challenges. You’ll develop essential skills in problem-solving, communication, and policy-making, preparing you to create meaningful change in global development, politics, and beyond.

You will undertake a year abroad between your second and fourth years at a partner HE institution. This will give you the opportunity to experience a different academic environment and way of teaching (and even different approaches to the subject). Your year abroad will also enhance your employability prospects through a proven ability to succeed in a foreign setting and will provide an additional opportunity to develop relevant, marketable skills in terms of organisation, communication, and intercultural awareness.

Reasons to study this course?
On this course you will:

  • Learn from expert academics engaged in innovative research, providing you with up-to-date insights and a research-driven curriculum.

  • Develop global perspectives by gaining insights into the interconnection of global development, governance, and international relations with a focus on real-world challenges.• Tailor your studies with a wide range of optional modules, allowing deeper exploration of areas that interest you most.

  • Access a global network, engage with research-driven teaching, and enhance your employability through project and professional development opportunities.

  • Gain global perspectives and cross-cultural skills by studying at an overseas university, enhancing your employability and broadening your academic and personal horizons.

Modules

Course Modules

For a full list and detailed description of modules on offer, please visit the course page on our website: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/govsoc/international-relations-and-development-year-abroad.aspx

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • Time abroad (mandatory) • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
LL2A
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Birmingham 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
13 January 2027

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:
LL2A
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAB

3 A Levels required

T Level

All subjects considered; Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 32

The entry requirements are 6,6,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall.

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

BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are all accepted but subjects are considered on a case by case basis - contact us for further guidance.

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 historic entry grades range shown below includes students admitted with alternative offers through our contextual admissions schemes. These are typically 1 or 2 grades below the standard offer. You can find information on these schemes using the link below.
You can check your eligibility to receive an offer for this course using our Offer Calculator using the same link.

Learn more on the University of Birmingham 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
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050*

* 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

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. For the 2027 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £10,050. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay.

For details of the annual tuition fee for International Students please see the course web page listed in the 'course details' section above.
If you are made an offer to study by the University, the yearly tuition fee will be stated in your offer letter.

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