BA Politics and International Relations
About this course
BA in Politics and International Relations BA, a politics and international relations degree centred on political systems, global governance, and societal power dynamics. Core topics include Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking. The final year culminates in an independent research dissertation. The first year introduces foundational disciplines through compulsory study in Political Analysis 1: An Introduction to Research and Scholarship, Thinking Politically: Key Concepts, Global Political Economy, and World Politics, alongside optional modules covering topics such as comparative political systems and political theory. The second year advances empirical investigation with compulsory modules including Political Analysis 2: How to do empirical research, Political Theory in Practice, and Autocracies and Democracies, complemented by options exploring security challenges and regional politics. The final year centres on the compulsory module Political Analysis 3: Independent Research Through a Dissertation, while allowing students to tailor their studies through diverse optional modules addressing topics such as parliamentary studies, terrorism, and global policy challenges.
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: AAB IB: 34; 33, with B in the extended essay
Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 6 UCAS decisions for BA Politics and International Relations (L201) at the University of Sheffield for 2027 entry so far: 6 offers. The published offer is AAB at A level. The first offer was posted on 8 October.
What students say
Based on about 26 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 76%
- Assessment and feedback: 72%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 71%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 90 students who started
- Continued on course: 96%
- Left higher education: 4%
What graduates do next
Based on about 29 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 2%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 215 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 14%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 17%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 34%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 90 students who started
- A levels: 92%
- Baccalaureate: 7%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Political Analysis 1: An Introduction to Research and Scholarship
- Thinking Politically: Key Concepts
- Global Political Economy
- World Politics
- Comparative Politics
- Planet Politics
- Race and Racism in World Politics
- Gender Politics
- British Politics
- Western Political Thought
- Political Analysis 2: How to do empirical research
- Political Theory in Practice
- Autocracies and Democracies
- The Political Economy of Global Capitalism
- Contemporary Security Challenges
- Europe in Crisis
- Chinese Politics
- Migration and World Politics
- Oppression and Resistance
- Political Analysis 3: Independent Research Through a Dissertation
- Global Culture Wars
- The Ethics of Political Leadership
- Understanding Elections
- Research Project 1
- War, Peace and Justice
- Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict
- Corporations in Global Politics: Possibilities, Tensions, and Ambiguities
- Parliamentary Studies
- Party Politics: Competition, Strategies and Campaigns
- Peacekeeping, State-building and International Intervention
- Gender Politics in the Arab World
- Global Politics of Forced Migration
- Conflict, Violence and Security in Africa
- Policy Change: Theory and Practice
- Legitimate and Illegitimate Violence
- Narcopolitics
- Party, State and Society in China
- Cosmopolitanism
- Pandemics and Panics: Health, Security and Global Politics
- Practical Politics: How to Make Policy and Influence People
- Terrorism, Violence and the State
- Political Psychology: The Personal Side of Politics
- Animals, Ethics and Politics
- Brexit and Beyond
- Britain in a New Age of Crisis
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Politics and International Relations at University of Sheffield earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £36,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £45,500. 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 University of Sheffield do next?
83% 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 University of Sheffield?
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 at University of Sheffield?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 152 UCAS points. Applicants who posted offers on UniScout for 2027 entry were most often predicted A*A*A*.
When does the University of Sheffield send offers for BA Politics and International Relations?
For 2027 entry, applicants have posted 6 decisions for this course on UniScout. The first offer was posted on 8 October, and the most decisions so far arrived in October.
Does BA Politics and International Relations at University of Sheffield 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 University of Sheffield?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.