BA International Relations and Politics
About this course
BA (Hons) in Politics and International Relations, examining the role of states and organisations in global politics. Core topics include Research Methods, Historical Research, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students may spend their second year studying abroad. The final year includes a dissertation on a self-selected topic.
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
GCSE: English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent) is required. You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below. UCAS tariff: 104 UCAS points. A level: 104 UCAS points. T level: Merit. BTEC: DMM Access to HE: Pass Level 3 Access to HE Diploma with 104 UCAS points. Scottish Highers: 104 UCAS points. Irish Leaving Certificate: 104 UCAS points. IB: 30 points. European Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 71% overall.
What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 84%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 94%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 60%
- Left higher education: 40%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 84%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 69%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 77%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 25 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North West: 65%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- South West: 10%
- Wales: 5%
- Scotland: 5%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 80%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- International Politics I
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- The Cold War
- International History (2) 1945-Present
- International Organisations
- International Politics II
- Theories of Power and Domination
- Contemporary International Relations
- Researching in Politics
- Regimes and Dictatorships from 1918
- Political Communication: Media and Democracy
- US Political History
- Commemoration and Memorialisation from the Twentieth Century to the Present
- Intelligence, Security and Politics in Britain 1909-94
- Terrorism and Irregular Conflict
- US Foreign Policy Since 1945
- Dissertation
- Intelligence in Practice Since 1945
- Corruption in Contemporary Politics
- International Political Economy
- Chinese Foreign Policy Since 1949
- American Conflict in History and Memory
- Photography and Conflict in the 20th and 21st Centuries
- Threats to Democracy
- Social media and politics: digital democracy
- Politics Placement
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA International Relations and Politics at University of Salford earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £33,000. The £25,000 median after five years is £9,000 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA International Relations and Politics at University of Salford do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA International Relations and Politics at University of Salford?
84% 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 and Politics at University of Salford?
The typical offer is 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 115 UCAS points.
Does BA International Relations and Politics at University of Salford include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA International Relations and Politics at University of Salford?
60% of students continued into their second year, and 40% left higher education.