BA International Relations
About this course
BA in Politics and International Relations, combining the study of domestic politics with global affairs. Core topics include Research Methods, Policy Analysis, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course includes an extended research project, which may take the form of a dissertation or a simulation-based group activity with a Model United Nations conference. Welsh politics is also studied, and the university hosts an International Relations and International Law lecture series with speakers from institutions such as NATO and the UN Security Council.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
What students say
Based on about 174 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 66%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 69%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 330 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 4%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 56 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 14%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 23%
- Elementary occupations: 11%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 9%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 120 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 26%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 16%
- Wales: 31%
Who gets in
Based on about 320 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 96%
- A degree: 1%
- Other qualifications: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
Modules
- Introduction to Political Thought
- Comparative Government and Politics
- Histories and Texts in International Relations
- Key Questions in Global Politics
- Challenges in Contemporary Politics and International Relations
- Thinking Politically
- International Relations Theories
- Global Governance: Contested Orders and International Organisations
- Global Crises
- International (In)Securities
- Spies, Secrets and Policy: Intelligence in Contemporary Politics
- Gender, Race & Death in Global Politics
- Colonialism and Decolonisation
- Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
- Politics by Numbers: Research Design and Analysis
- Qualitative Research
- Comparative European Politics
- Sex, Drugs and Public Policy
- Justice and Politics
- Making Modern Britain
- Political Thinkers in Focus
- Modern Welsh Politics
- Gwleidyddiaeth Cymru Fodern
- Ideas and Ideologies
- Credoau’r Cymry
- Damcaniaethu Cyfalafiaeth
- International Relations Dissertation
- Model United Nations
- Problem-solving in International Relations
- International Law in a Changing World
- International Politics in the Nuclear Age
- War & Society
- Global Politics of Cybersecurity: Diplomacy and Governance of Emerging Technologies
- Cyfiawnder Byd-eang
- Strategy in Theory and Practice
- Critical Approaches to Middle East Politics
- Anglo-American Relations and Cold War Defence
- Global Environmental Politics
- Inside the Minds of Voters: Political Psychology and Opinion
- The European Union and the Wider World
- The Political Economy of Wales
- Economi Wleidyddol Cymru
- Non-Western and Cross-Cultural Political Thinking
- Parliamentary Studies
- Bombs, Bullets and Ballot-Boxes: The Northern Ireland Conflict and Peace Process from 1969
- US Government and Politics
- Global Justice
- Cenedlaetholdeb, Crefydd a Chyfiawnder: Hanes Athroniaeth yr 20fed Ganrif yng Nghymru
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA International Relations at Cardiff University earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £27,000 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,000 and £46,000. The £34,500 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA International Relations at Cardiff University do next?
84% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA International Relations at Cardiff University?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA International Relations at Cardiff University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA International Relations at Cardiff University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.