University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
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Course contact details
Undergraduate Admissions Office
Email:admit@essex.ac.uk
Phone:01206 873666
Fax: 01206 872808
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International Relations (Including Year Abroad)
- BA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Sandwich
- 10/2026
- Undergraduate
- Colchester Campus
Course summary
Why do international conflicts arise? Why are other parts of the world largely peaceful? What is the role of the United Nations and other international organisations? What is globalisation and how does it impact our daily lives? What are the prospects for international cooperation in addressing problems like global warming and environmental degradation?
Based in the top politics department in the country, this course should interest you if you want to understand how the international system works, how decisions are made and how lines are drawn. Taking this course gives you a foundation in politics, while the study of international relations develops your research and critical analysis skills, teaching you methods of analysis and giving you awareness of the world system.
This course explores many major areas of international relations, including:
-
Conflict and security studies
-
Comparative politics
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International political economy
-
Political theory
-
Politics of the Middle East
Politics at Essex is all about moving from opinions to evidence. You will quickly learn to ask – and how to answer – the “how do you know?” question. We train our students to be fearless and independent, to question everything and to draw on the broadest possible range of facts and ideas.
Our Department of Government is one of the most prestigious in Europe, with an outstanding record of teaching, research and publication. We are rated top in the UK for research (REF 2014), and have consistently been the highest-rated politics department in the country since national assessments began.
Modules
Many of our courses offer a choice of optional modules to tailor your learning experience. More information about these can be found on the University of Essex website.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Colchester Campus
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Sandwich • 4 Years
Start dates
- 10/2026
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:
- L259
- Institution code:
- E70
- Campus name:
- Colchester Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1, 2
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Essex 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:
- L259
- Institution code:
- E70
- Campus name:
- Colchester Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
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Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points
Offers will be made from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.
We accept A Levels, BTECs, Access to HE Diploma, International Baccalaureate, T Levels, AAQs and most other qualifications within the UCAS Tariff.
Whilst International A-levels and BTECs aren't on the tariff calculator, we assign them the same tariff points as their UK counterparts
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 are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. We make Contextual Offers, of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent) below our standard conditional offer, to applicants from underrepresented groups residing in the UK.
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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| EU | £22600 | Year 1 |
| International | £22600 | Year 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
Fees displayed are for the 2026-27 academic year. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.
Related courses
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