BA International Relations
About this course
BA (Hons) in International Relations, a politics and international relations degree covering global politics, international security and political economy. Core topics include research methods and policy analysis. The course can be extended from three to four years by adding a placement year or a study year abroad at partner institutions including Boston College, the University of British Columbia, the University of Hong Kong and the National University of Singapore. The first year covers the foundations through Introduction to International Relations, International Security, Perspectives of Political Economy and Researching Politics and International Relations. A Year 1 choice runs between Democratic Political Systems and Introduction to Political Theory, and optional modules have included Introduction to Comparative Politics, Decolonising Knowledge and Power and a language module from the Centre for Foreign Language Study. The second year pairs a compulsory Research Project with a choice between International Theory and Capitalism: History and Theory. A further choice runs between International Organisations and Sovereignty, State and Empire, and second-year optionals have spanned Politics and International Relations of East Asia, Middle East and the International System and Gender and Politics. The final year centres on a compulsory 40-credit Dissertation; optional modules include The Politics of Inequality, Campaigns, Elections and Voter Behaviour, Marx and Marxism and Climate, Nature and the Global Economy.
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.
Entry requirements
A level: AAA including a social science or humanities subject. IB: 36 with 666 in higher level subjects, including a social sciences or humanities subject.
Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for BA International Relations (L250) at Durham University for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAA at A level.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 16%: 35 offers from 225 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 100%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 25%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 25%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 5%
- Skilled trades occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 95%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 155 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 62%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 55 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to International Relations - 20 credits
- International Security - 20 credits
- Perspectives of Political Economy - 20 credits
- Researching Politics and International Relations - 20 credits
- Choose one of the following two modules:
- EITHER Democratic Political Systems - 20 credits
- OR Introduction to Political Theory - 20 credits
- Example optional modules
- Research Project - 20 credits
- Choose one of the following two modules:
- EITHER International Theory - 20 credits
- OR Capitalism: History and Theory - 20 credits
- EITHER International Organisations - 20 credits
- OR Sovereignty, State and Empire - 20 credits
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation - 40 credits
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA International Relations at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £32,000 after 15 months, £34,000 after 3 years, £48,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £36,000 and £63,000. The £48,000 median after five years is £14,000 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA International Relations at Durham University do next?
85% 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 Durham University?
95% 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 Durham University?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 173 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA International Relations at Durham University?
16% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 35 offers from 225 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA International Relations at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA International Relations at Durham University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.