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Politics and International Relations

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time with time abroad
  • 28 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
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Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Our BA Politics and International Relations degree combines two major fields. It allows students with an interest in other societies, cultures and states to combine their study with political theory and practice.

Our Politics and International Relations BA offers a flexible, globally-minded curriculum that combines political theory with real-world practice. You’ll explore how states, cultures, and societies interact internationally while developing key skills for the modern workforce, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and creativity. With exciting opportunities like participating in Model NATO events in Washington DC, London, and Lisbon, you’ll gain hands-on experience in diplomacy, decision-making, and crisis management. Supported by a world-renowned department, you’ll graduate ready to take on diverse roles and enter the job market with confidence.

Reasons to study this course?

  • Develop the essential skills for success including critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication through active learning, preparing you for diverse, successful careers in today’s competitive job market.

  • Engage in real-world diplomacy at Model NATO events in Washington DC, London, and Lisbon, developing your global perspective and decision-making skills in an international setting.

  • Tailor your degree by choosing from a wide selection of optional modules, allowing you to specialise in areas that align with your interests and career goals.

  • Study with a department known for its cutting-edge research, benefiting from the latest political and international relations insights and enhancing your academic and professional growth.

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

Modules

For a full list and detailed description of modules on offer, please visit the course page on our website.

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

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time with time abroad • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 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:
L257
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
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
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:
L257
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
AAB

3 A Levels required

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.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32 points

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

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

Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)

T Level

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

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 most common grades on entry for this course are above our standard offer. This does not mean that you need to achieve higher grades than our offer to be admitted.
We make alternative offers through our contextual admissions schemes which are typically 1 or 2 grades lower. 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

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

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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