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Politics and International Relations (with placement year)

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Sandwich
  • 28/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Loughborough University

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

Our Politics and International Relations degree offers a fantastic opportunity to study domestic, international and global challenges faced by states and citizens in the 21st Century, and to contribute to debates about the theory and practice of politics in the contemporary era.

On our Politics and International Relations BA (Hons) course you will study the ideas that have shaped the development of domestic and international politics, the creation of states, and the systems by which we organise our political lives.

The Politics and International Relations degree will give the opportunity to study the relationships between states on the world stage, and debate key issues and events as they unfold. You will learn about political theory, institutions, and history, and you will be asked to question your own role in world politics, what is required of you as a citizen of a state (and of the world), the practical and theoretical difficulties faced by decision makers across the world, and how actually existing states have sought to resolve these difficulties.

Our Politics and International Relations degree therefore equips you with knowledge and understanding of political and international events, ideas, and institutions. In learning about these, you will also learn the skills of argument and analysis which are essential to your own intellectual development, but also for a wide range of careers.

Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

Assessment method

A variety of assessment methods are used on the Politics and International Relations degree course.

For the Politics aspect of the degree, you could be assessed in a variety of ways ranging from traditional essay questions, group presentations and case studies to political simulation, writing official reports and individual poster presentations. You will also complete a final-year dissertation on a topic of your own choice.

For the International Relations aspect of the degree, you can expect to undertake a range of assessment methods, from a journalistic piece or a book review, to an analysis of a film or a political simulation.

You will also complete a final-year dissertation on a topic of your own choice. If you spend the third year of your degree working or studying abroad, your degree award is worked out in the same proportion noted above, and you will additionally be eligible for a Diploma in International Studies.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Sandwich • 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:
7L27
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Loughborough University 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:
7L27
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB

ABB

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

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma preferred subjects: Applied Science, Business, Health and Social Care, IT, Sport. Other BTEC subjects may be considered when offered in combination with one A Level from the following list: Ancient History, Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Economics, English Language/Literature, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Languages (non-native), Law, Philosophy, Psychology, Religious Studies and Sociology.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits overall including 45 at Level 3. Please obtain: 23 Level 3 Credits at Distinction, rest at Merit.

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

A Level Grade B plus Distinction Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma. Preferred subjects: Applied Science, Business, Health and Social Care, IT, Sport. Other BTEC subjects may be considered when offered in combination with one A Level from the following list: Ancient History, Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Economics, English Language/Literature, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Languages (non-native), Law, Philosophy, Psychology, Religious Studies and Sociology.

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

A Level Grades BB plus Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate. Preferred subjects: Applied Science, Business, Health and Social Care, IT, Sport. Other BTEC subjects may be considered when offered in combination with one A Level from the following list: Ancient History, Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Economics, English Language/Literature, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Languages (non-native), Law, Philosophy, Psychology, Religious Studies and Sociology.

Scottish Advanced Higher - AB

AB, plus Highers at majority A/B grades.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points

34 (6,5,5 HL).

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Applicants taking the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma will be asked to achieve the A level requirements for their course as part of their qualification. The Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted alongside two A levels as long as individual course entry and subject requirements are met. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Extended Project

We recognise the benefit of the Extended Project in developing independent research and critical thinking skills. We would consider this as evidence of motivation to study a specific subject in more depth, and while we do not generally include it as part of our offer conditions, it may be used to further consider an application upon receipt of final examination results. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

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

We accept a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website – please view the individual course typical offers on our website and choose Ireland in the Country/region drop down field for more information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

This qualification is accepted in combination with other qualifications. For details please contact Loughborough University

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English Language Grade 4/C

T Level - D

Distinction Overall B in Core Component T Level in Management and Administration is considered. Other relevant T Level subjects may be considered on a case by case basis.

Loughborough accepts a wide range of qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/entrance-requirements/. This information details the general requirements and should be read in conjunction with the information given for each course.

Loughborough also accepts a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/country/

Loughborough uses contextual data in the admissions process to provide insights into the context in which your academic qualifications have been achieved. This may influence the typical offers outlined in the information given for each course. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/contextual-data/

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Other
Applicants are usually selected solely on the basis of their UCAS application, but in exceptional cases, an interview may be required. If applicants are made an offer of a place, they will be invited to visit the department giving them the opportunity to meet staff and students, see facilities and get an insight into what it is like to be a student at Loughborough.

English language requirements

All applicants are required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate level of English language. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/

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.

We consider contextual information as part of the assessment of an application to provide us with further insight into your achievements. This may lead to reduced offers, up to two grades lower than the typical offer requirements, as well as additional consideration when your results are received. For further information about Contextual Admissions at Loughborough including our Access Loughborough Contextual Offer please visit our website.

Learn more on the Loughborough University 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.

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
EU£23950Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
International£23950Year 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

The fees stated above are for the 2025/26 academic year; fees for 2026/27 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. We will update this information as soon as it is available. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

While the cost of your tuition covers lots of things, it doesn’t cover everything. For instance this course doesn’t cover the cost of any stationery, printing, books or re-assessments which you might need.

UK tuition fees align with the applicable fee caps set by the UK government, and as such they are subject to changes made to the agreed cap in a specific year.

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