BA Politics and International Relations
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BA Politics and International Relations, combining the study of political ideas, processes, and global affairs. Core topics include Research Methods, Policy Analysis, and a Global & Comparative Perspective across domestic and international politics. A Politics in Action placement module is available in the final year, offering assessed workplace experience in settings such as Parliament, NGOs, and political parties. Students can specialise through optional modules in areas including democracy, security, the European Union, and regional politics.
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-BBB (Required subjects: We require English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade 4 (C)) IB: 6,5,5 at Higher level or 32 points overall.
What students say
Based on about 52 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started
- Continued on course: 92%
- Left higher education: 6%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- 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: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 40%
- South East: 38%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Politics and Government
- Introduction to International Relations
- Classic and Contemporary Readings in Politics and International Relations
- Researching Politics and International Relations: Methods, Techniques and Analysis
- International Relations Theory
- International Political Economy
- Democracy in Britain
- Contemporary Political Theory
- Modern Political Thought
- Government and Politics of the United States
- Politics Outside the West
- War and Security in World Politics
- Introduction to Political Communication
- Power and Democracy in the EU
- Politics and/or International Relations Dissertation
- European Union Public Policy
- Politics in Action: The Politics and International Relations Experience Placement
- US Foreign Policy - History
- The Politics of Africa
- Radical Political Theory I: Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche
- American Political Development
- The Politics of Russia and Eastern Europe
- Political Theories of Freedom
- Politics of the Law and Rights
- Comparative Political Leadership
- Military Change in the 21st Century
- Foundations in Middle East Politics
- Young People's Politics
- Leadership, Power and the British Prime Ministership
- Global Health Policy
- Politics of South Asia
- Social Diversity and Political Representation
- Parliamentary Studies
- Freedom of Expression: Concepts and Controversies
- Latin American Politics
- Defence and Security Governance
- The Political Economy of Racial Injustice
- Narrative in World Politics
- Why and How People Vote
- Identity, Emotions and Trauma in International Politics
- Ethnic Politics and Ethnic Conflict
- Global Environmental Politics
- Visual Politics
- Issues in Democratic Theory
- Gender and Nationalism in the Middle East and South Asia
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £35,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £45,500. The £35,500 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway, University of London do next?
75% 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 Royal Holloway, University of London?
91% 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 Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 117 UCAS points.
Does BA Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway, University of London 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 Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway, University of London?
92% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.