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26 Jun 2026, 08:00
Cardiff
Politics and International Relations
- BA (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 28 September 2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site - Cardiff
- Awarded by:
- Cardiff University (Prifysgol Caerdydd)
Course summary
Our BA in Politics and International Relations gives you a golden opportunity to study the politics and government of individual states, to explore important political ideas such as freedom, democracy and justice, and to investigate relations between states and non-state actors on the world stage.
This degree gives you access to a wide range of fascinating topics, from close study of institutions at the state and sub-state level to wide examination of politics at the global level. This includes themes such as justice, governance, conflict, populism, security and gender. There will also be an opportunity to work on an extended research project, whether that’s a dissertation, a simulation-based group work project, or a grand challenge. This final experience involves participation in various problem-based learning activities that provide hands-on experience of various problem-solving tasks, and of collaborating to identify and develop solutions.
Studying Politics and International Relations in Cardiff allows you the distinctive opportunity to benefit from the department’s extensive links to the Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament. In addition, we have strong ties to Westminster through participation in the Parliamentary Studies scheme, which provides the chance to study a module co-taught by officials from the Houses of Parliament, including some former students who now work at the Palace of Westminster.
You’ll graduate with an excellent understanding of the political world at many levels and having gained the intellectual and communications skills that will be of value whether you work in government, for organisations such as the United Nations, or in the private or voluntary sectors. Politics and international relations graduates find careers in a wide range of fields and varied job roles.
Distinctive Features of the Programme
Links to political institutions – Benefit from links to Westminster parliament, Senedd Cymru, the European Union and NATO.
Study current global issues – Choose modules ranging from cyber security and nuclear politics to climate change and feminism.
Experience politics in action – Study a module taught in-conjunction with Westminster, which includes teaching by clerks of the House of Commons and study visits.
Worldwide career opportunities – Recent graduates have found roles in global development, international business, diplomacy, government intelligence and journalism.
Bilingual study - Participate in innovative and high-quality Welsh-medium provision available through a selection of modules.
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:
- L280
- Institution code:
- C15
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Cardiff
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Further information for International applicants can be found at www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international
Entry requirements
UCAS TariffNot accepted
A levelABB - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DDM - DMM
in any subject.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme32 - 30 points
32-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales will be accepted in lieu of one A level at the A level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in place of one A-level at the A-level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.
Extended ProjectA
For applicants taking the EPQ qualification, an A in the EPQ can be recognised to lower the entry requirements by a single grade. For example, an AAB offer would be “AAB from 3 A-levels or ABB from 3 A-levels and a grade A in the EPQ”. Please note that any subject specific requirements must be met.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
T Level
Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
English language requirements
All applicants are expected to have demonstrable English language skills. Most courses ask for GCSE English grade C/4 or equivalent, but some courses ask for GCSE English grade B/6 or equivalent.
To find out more, please go to:https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements/undergraduate
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 Cardiff we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, as part of this our contextual admissions policy aims to widen participation and improve access to Higher Education (HE).
For more information on Cardiff University contextual admissions, including how applications are scored and how we use that score, please see our 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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
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
Students from the UK and Islands:
Fees stated are for the 2026/27 academic year. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Fees for entry in subsequent years are subject to increase and will be confirmed by the end of October in the year preceding your start date of your programme, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required for you to complete to the degree programme stated. Please note that you may choose to participate in study trips, associated placements or purchase equipment while studying on your degree programme which will be at your own cost. Tuition fees do not include living costs such as accommodation, subsistence or travel.
Students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland:
If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national, unless you qualify for UK fee status, tuition fees for 2026/27 will be in line with the fees charged for international students. You can check whether you are eligible for UK (Home) fee status on the UKCISA website: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student-advice/fees/full-list-of-categories-for-he-in-wales/
Students from the rest of the world (international):
Fees stated are for 2026/27 entry and are fixed for the duration of the programme, excluding Medicine and Dentistry programmes. Please note that during the pre-clinical element of Medicine and Dentistry programmes the fee rate will be fixed, after which the clinical fee rate will be charged. Further details are available on the university website at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/funding-and-fees
Fees for entry in subsequent years are subject to increase and will be confirmed by the end of October in the year preceding your start date of your programme, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required for you to complete the degree programme stated. Please note that you may choose to participate in study trips, associated placements or purchase equipment while studying on your degree programme which will be at your own cost. Tuition fees do not include living costs such as accommodation, subsistence or travel.
Sponsorship information
Cardiff University has many scholarships on offer to our prospective students. Please see our website at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/funding/scholarships for further information.
Course contact details
Admissions Team
Email:admissions@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone:029 2087 9999
Cardiff University
PO Box 921
Cardiff
CF10 3XQ
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