BA

Politics and International Relations (with integrated year studying abroad)

BA Politics and International Relations (with integrated year studying abroad) Code L249 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Key Facts

L249

  • UCAS Tariff

    120 - 96

  • Course duration

    4 years

Available for September start 2025

Further details on entry requirements

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BA Politics and International Relations at Aberystwyth University explores different political systems and global institutions. You'll learn about the driving forces behind political, economic and socio-cultural changes across the world, and explore the challenges facing the international system, such as globalisation, international security, the environment, inequality, global health, conflict and post-conflict environments.

Throughout the course, you will explore different arguments, rival theories and alternative explanations, thereby building up the analytical skills that are important in the workplace.

Course Overview

Why study Politics and International Relations at Aberystwyth?

  • We offer students high-quality teaching on a wide range of modules (over 20 to choose from in years 2 & 3); an intellectually stimulating, but friendly environment; and a real sense of community.
  • You'll learn about key political concepts such as power, security, democracy, development, freedom and sovereignty, and how these are contested in contemporary politics, both inside countries and on a global scale.
  • You'lll explore different political systems and global institutions and learn about the driving forces behind political, economic and socio-cultural changes across the world.
  • You'll study the core challenges facing global politics today, such as political populism and nuclear tensions, the climate crisis, colonial legacies, escalating conflict and the dilemmas of migration.
  • You'll also learn about different regions and countries, like the Americas and Russia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
  • As well as honing your academic skills, our modules will equip you with the know-how you’ll need for life after university, like writing blogs and policy briefs, giving presentations and using your creativity to solve problems.
  • We run role-play simulation modules every year which develop skills in negotiation, persuasion, collaboration and teamwork – exactly the skills you need in the political arena.
  • Our graduates go into a wide range of careers, such as diplomacy, journalism, civil service or working for political parties, NGOs or international organisations like the UN, as well as graduate pathways in business, industry, education and the public sector.  
  • You'll be studying at the world's first department of International Politics, founded in 1919.

Opportunities – Politics and IR students at Aberystwyth can:

  • Join our renowned ‘Crisis Games’ – a three-day role-playing exercise in political, economic and diplomatic manoeuvres which will develop your negotiation and communication, critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills. A highlight of the course.
  • Apply for our prestigious Parliamentary Placement Scheme, which enables you to gain valuable experience working alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or an MS (Welsh Senedd, Cardiff) for a period of four to six weeks during the summer
  • Get involved in departmental activities, like the regular ‘Roundtable’ discussions on key global events, Interpol Society activities, the student journal Interstate and our popular pizza & quiz nights.
Our Staff

Lecturers in the Department of International Politics are all research active and qualified to PhD level, and most also have a PGCHE.

Modules September start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Behind the Headlines * IP12620 20
Exploring the International 1: Central Concepts and Core Skills * IP12420 20
Politics in the 21st Century * IP12920 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Globalization and Global Development IP12520 20
The Making of the Modern World: War Peace and Revolution since 1789 IP12820 20
War, Strategy and Intelligence IP10320 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Employability is embedded within all our courses. Our degrees provide a solid foundation for a wide array of careers across a range of sectors.

In a rapidly shifting global economy, our graduates are adaptable and able to draw on a range of transferable skills, ensuring that they are always in demand.

Our graduates have been successful in securing roles in:

  • the development sector
  • local and national politics
  • the Civil Service
  • Government research
  • social research
  • the third sector, such as NGOs
  • international organisations
  • journalism.

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?

In your first year you will be introduced to:

  • central concepts and themes in the study of international politics, looking at key theoretical positions and you will be encouraged to analyse and evaluate them
  • politics in the 21st Century, where you will study key features of political systems, and discuss key political ideas and issues
  • developments in international politics in real time with the focus on news and opinions that appear from week to week, and an opportunity to critically reflect on events.

You will also take optional modules that cover the topics of war, peace and revolution since 1789; globalisation and global development; and war, strategy and intelligence.

In your second year, you will explore:

  • the origins of the discipline of International Relations, the development of theoretical schools of thought, the role of theoretical lenses in shaping our understandings of the world, and a variety of different theoretical approaches through which to read the processes of international politics
  • a range of key concepts and debates about different political forces and relationships and see how they relate to examples drawn from the practice of politics in different parts of the world, with the theme of political inequalities being a prominent focus.

In your third year, you will:

  • undertake your year abroad, studying at a partner university.

In your final year, you will be introduced to:

  • the general principles of research methods, methodologies and theoretical frameworks to enable you to undertake an independent research inquiry and write your dissertation.

You will also choose from a broad range of optional modules covering topics such as global development, trade wars and the liberal order, contemporary Latin America, justice, order and human rights, the EU, the Middle East in the 20th century, a military history of the United States, nationalism, Russian intelligence, the League of Nations and its legacies, and terrorism and counter terrorism in the modern world.

Extra-curricular activities

We encourage you to take part in our annual 'Crisis Games'. Previous Crisis Games have been based on humanitarian crises, the Northern Ireland peace process, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US presidential election, environmental disaster in the Arctic, and war between Russia and Georgia.

The Crisis Games will allow you to learn about aspects of international politics which cannot be taught in lectures and seminars, especially the constraints which political leaders face in responding to various crises. This is one of the highlights of the year.

How will I be taught?

We deliver this degree through the medium of lectures and seminars.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through essays, reports, examinations, book reviews, learning logs and presentations.

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 120 - 96

A Levels BBB-CCC

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh

BTEC National Diploma:
DDM-MMM

International Baccalaureate:
30-26

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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