BA Journalism, Politics and International Relations
About this course
BA in Journalism, Politics and International Relations, an undergraduate degree exploring the intersection of media, governance, and global affairs. Core topics include Research Methods, Marketing, and Policy Analysis. The curriculum spans the analysis of state institutions, communication platforms, and international security. The first year builds foundations through History of Mass Communication and Culture, Media Scholarship, Understanding Journalism Studies, Introduction to Political Thought, Comparative Government and Politics, and Histories and Texts in International Relations. The second year shifts towards advanced theories and institutions with compulsory modules International Relations Theories and Governing the UK, alongside numerous optional choices such as Comparative European Politics, Sex, Drugs and Public Policy, and Colonialism and Decolonisation. The final year allows students to tailor their studies through diverse optional modules including US Government and Politics, Global Justice, International Law in a Changing World, and a Dissertation, alongside specialized media and communication options like Spin Unspun: Public Relations and The News Media and The Creative and Cultural Industries.
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Entry requirements
A level: ABB
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What students say
Based on about 146 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 190 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 2%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
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 85 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 7%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 18%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 13%
- Wales: 39%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 185 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Modules
- History of Mass Communication and Culture
- Media Scholarship
- Understanding Journalism Studies
- Introduction to Political Thought
- Comparative Government and Politics
- Histories and Texts in International Relations
- International Relations Theories
- Governing the UK
- Comparative European Politics
- Sex, Drugs and Public Policy
- Justice and Politics
- Gwleidyddiaeth Cymru Fodern
- Credoau’r Cymry
- Damcaniaethu Cyfalafiaeth
- International (In)Securities
- Spies, Secrets and Policy: Intelligence in Contemporary Politics
- Colonialism and Decolonisation
- Media, Power and Society
- Mediation of Political Violence
- Yr Ystafell Newyddion 1
- Yr Ystafell Newyddion 2
- Public Relations and Political Communication
- Media Fandom
- Employability: Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Red Penned: Censorship and Resistance in Contemporary Arts Activism
- Media, Gender and Sexuality
- Fashion Brand Management
- War, Politics and Propaganda II
- Doing Media Research: Approaches and Methods
- Media Law Year 2
- Inside the Minds of Voters: Political Psychology and Opinion
- The European Union and the Wider World
- Economi Wleidyddol Cymru
- US Government and Politics
- Global Justice
- Cenedlaetholdeb, Crefydd a Chyfiawnder: Hanes Athroniaeth yr 20fed Ganrif yng Nghymru
- International Law in a Changing World
- International Politics in the Nuclear Age
- Cyfiawnder Byd-eang
- Critical Approaches to Middle East Politics
- Global Environmental Politics
- Dissertation
- The Making and Shaping of News
- Spin Unspun: Public Relations and The News Media
- The Creative and Cultural Industries
- Sport and the Media
- Communicating Causes
- Palu am y Gwir
- Stori Pwy? Cyfathrebu Cymru
- Media, Money and Markets
- Screening Locations
- (Me) me, Myself and I:The Power and Politics of Digital Remix Culture and Online Inequalities
- Visual Communication and Design
- Clothing Matters: Global Fashion Cultures and Politics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Journalism, Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £24,000 after 3 years, £30,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £36,500. The £30,000 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Journalism, Politics and 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 Journalism, Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Journalism, Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 142 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Journalism, Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 2% left higher education.