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International Security Studies

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
University Park Campus
More about University of Nottingham

Course options

2026-2027
Apply

Course summary

Course overview
Are you looking to understand the most pressing security challenges of the 21st century? Would you like to be part of the solution to these global problems?

Our BA International Security Studies provides you with the theoretical and practical tools to address key political and security issues of our time and provide the key transferrable skills to equip you to understand, and work in a complex geopolitical environment.

Whether you're interested in combatting terrorism, managing the response to natural disasters, or promoting national security, our modules provide you with a deep understanding of the most pressing issues and debates in global politics and security, taught by our team of security experts in the School of Politics and International Relations. With a focus on both theoretical and practical learning, you'll be prepared to tackle real-world challenges and devise strategic solutions.

Our course goes beyond the theoretical, providing you with insights into the politics of the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa, and the EU. You’ll study traditional security threats and topics such as human, health and energy security, widening the security agenda. You may also have the option to study organisations that deal with emergent security threats, taking your interest further with dissertation supervision in your final year.

This course sets you up for a career in the private, public or charitable sectors. Whether you're interested in working as a parliamentary assistant, councillor, civil servant, researcher, or policy analyst, our course can help you achieve your career goals. Our school alumni have secured jobs at top organisations such as the BBC, Citibank, PwC, Civil Service, House of Commons, and Unison.

Why choose this course?

  • Tailor your studies to your career goals through a range of optional modules

  • Apply to study abroad in locations such as China, Europe and the USA

  • Placements and internship programme provides opportunities for valuable work experience, self-confidence and a practical application of your studies

  • Active societies related to the study of politics support a student community

Modules

For detailed information about the modules you will study, please visit the course page:
https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/2025/international-security-studies-ba-U6UINTSS.html

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • University Park Campus

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:
L245
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Nottingham 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:
L245
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
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 - AAB

Excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.

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

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Scottish Higher - AABBB

Scottish Advanced Highers at AA are also required

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

Considered with an A Level at grade A

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

Considered with two A Levels at grades AB

Scottish Advanced Higher - AA

Scottish Highers at AABBB are also required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

or 6,6,5 in three Higher Level Certificates

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - A

Considered with two A Levels at grades AB

Extended Project - A

If you have already achieved your EPQ at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower. If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ. If you qualify for a contextual offer, your EPQ will be taken into consideration and the appropriate adjustment will be made to your offer. Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer, your EPQ will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M1, M2

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English grade 4/C required

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)

If you have already achieved your Core Maths qualification at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your Core Maths qualification you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your Core Maths qualification. Core Maths qualifications offered by other exam boards are also considered for an alternative offer.

European Baccalaureate - 80% Overall

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

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 applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham 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 5 other politics courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Grades held by accepted students

For University of Nottingham, the top and bottom 5% of student grades have been removed from these calculations. This change helps to remove any extraordinary circumstances that could impact the data. Learn more here .
ABB Most common
  1. A*AA
  2. Highest grades
  3. BCC
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

96% 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

69 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

88 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

LocationFeeYear
Republic of Ireland£9790*Year 1
Channel Islands£9790*Year 1
EU£24700*Year 1
England£9790*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9790*Year 1
Scotland£9790*Year 1
Wales£9790*Year 1
International£24700*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

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202627/undergraduate.aspx

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