BA Politics and International Relations (Placement Year)
About this course
BA Hons in Politics and International Relations (Placement Year), a politics and international relations degree centred on the study of political systems, institutions, and global affairs. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Historical Research, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The programme includes a dedicated work-based placement year in the third year and culminates in a final-year dissertation project. Throughout the four years, students examine political theory, governance, and policy-making through a structured progression of modules. The first year establishes foundations through compulsory study in Origins and Foundations of International Relations, Parties, Populism and Protest, Global Governance and International Institutions, and Policy Lab. Moving into the second year, core modules such as Reshaping Global Order, Theories of Power and the State, and Understanding Political Research deepen analytical capabilities. Following the third-year placement, the final year centres on advanced topics supported by a compulsory Politics and International Relations Dissertation. Optional modules across the degree allow specialisation in areas such as authoritarianism, security, regional politics in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, Russia, and China, alongside interdisciplinary discovery options.
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 92%: 46 offers from 50 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 80 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 70%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 63%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 65%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 47 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 57%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 12%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 25%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 5%
- 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 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 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
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)
- Work Based Learning Year
- 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 (Placement Year) 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 (Placement Year) at Lancaster University do next?
82% 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 (Placement Year) at Lancaster 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 Politics and International Relations (Placement Year) 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 (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
92% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 46 offers from 50 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Politics and International Relations (Placement Year) at Lancaster University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BA Politics and International Relations (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.