BA Politics and International Relations
About this course
BA Hons in Politics and International Relations, a politics and international relations degree centred on the study of political systems, global governance, and international diplomacy. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Historical Research, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course is informed by department research strength, ranking second in the UK for Research Power in Politics according to REF 2021. The first year covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Origins and Foundations of International Relations, Parties, Populism and Protest, Global Governance and International Institutions, and Policy Lab, alongside optional choices spanning philosophy, economics and sociology. The second year builds on this with core modules including Reshaping Global Order, Theories of Power and the State, and Understanding Political Research, alongside diverse options covering authoritarianism, global capitalism, and the Politics of the Global South. The final year centers on independent research through the Politics and International Relations Dissertation module. Students can further tailor their studies by choosing from advanced optional modules such as Critical Political Theory, Parliamentary Studies, Policymaking in the Real World, and The Politics of Borders and Migration.
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: ABB IB: 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 89%: 108 offers from 122 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 15 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 74%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 78%
- Organisation and management: 54%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 25%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Business and Financial Project Management Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 95 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 41%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 22%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Other HE qualification: 25%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Origins and Foundations of International Relations
- Parties, Populism and Protest
- Global Governance and International Institutions
- Policy Lab
- British Politics: Political Ideas in Action
- Critical Perspectives on Global Politics
- Political Theory for a Troubled World
- Global Challenges in World Politics
- Medieval and Early Modern Worlds
- History of Philosophy: Ideas that Shaped the West
- Foundations of Microeconomics
- Thinking Sociologically
- Reshaping Global Order
- Theories of Power and the State
- Understanding Political Research
- Authoritarianism, Repression and Resistance in the 21st century
- Democracy, Dictatorship and Everything in Between
- Global Capitalism and its Discontent
- Global Superpowers
- Philosophical Perspectives on Politics and Economics
- Politics of the Global South
- War, Peace and Modernity
- Who Governs Britain? Policy, Politics and Political Change
- Employability, Purpose and Social Impact (Discovery module)
- Global Challenges and Collaborative Solutions (Discovery module)
- Taking an Idea and Making it Happen (Discovery module)
- Politics and International Relations Dissertation
- Critical Political Theory
- Critical Studies of War and Security
- Democracy Under Pressure
- Environment and Development
- Europe and America
- Parliamentary Studies
- Policymaking in the Real World
- Politics of Latin America and Africa
- Politics of the Middle East and Asia Pacific
- Russia and China
- Security, Strategy and Technology
- The Politics of Borders and Migration
- The Politics of Crises and the Future of Governance
- Queer Futures (Discovery module)
- People Power and Collective Action (Discovery module)
- Confronting the Climate Crisis (Discovery module)
- Artistic Fusions (Discovery module)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Politics and International Relations at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 15 months, £27,000 after 3 years, £36,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £47,000. The £36,000 median after five years is £2,000 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Politics and International Relations at Lancaster 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 Politics and International Relations at Lancaster University?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Politics and International Relations at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 133 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Politics and International Relations at Lancaster University?
89% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 108 offers from 122 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
How many students continue on BA Politics and International Relations at Lancaster University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.