BA Politics and International Relations
About this course
BA(Hons) in Politics and International Relations, covering areas such as human rights, global governance, foreign policy, international security, and public policy. Core topics include Research Methods and Critical & Analytical Thinking. The Parliamentary Studies optional module is approved by the Houses of Parliament and co-taught by university tutors and Parliament officials, with visits to Westminster. The course is also available as a four-year sandwich route with an industry placement year.
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: Grade C/4 in English, or equivalent. Tariff points: 112 Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page. English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0, with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*). *The University accepts a large number of UK and international qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you'll need at English Language requirements. A-level subjects: No specific subjects required. BTEC: No specific subjects required. For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page. Access: No specific subjects required. Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required. We accept the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. Irish Highers: No specific subjects required. Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. Cambridge Technical: No specific subjects required. T Levels: No specific subjects required.
What students say
Based on about 23 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 84%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 65 students who started
- Continued on course: 84%
- Gained a higher qualification: 1%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Natural and social science professionals: 15%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- West Midlands: 8%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 25%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 34%
- Wales: 9%
- Scotland: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 75 students who started
- A levels: 91%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Foundation course: 3%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 4%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Critical Thinking and Political Theory
- International Relations
- Politics of Crisis and Change
- Politics, States and Resistance
- Governing Society
- Interrogating the International
- Political Innovation, Leadership and Communication
- Atrocities in Global Politics
- Foreign Policy
- Gender in Politics
- Global Political Economy
- Advanced Debates in International Relations
- Advanced Debates in Politics
- Dissertation Project
- Global Governance
- Justice in Global Politics
- Climate and Society
- Decolonisation in Theory and Practice
- Parliamentary Studies
- Terrorism: History, Myths and Policy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Politics and International Relations at UWE Bristol earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £23,500 after 3 years, £30,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £33,000. The £30,000 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Politics and International Relations at UWE Bristol 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 Politics and International Relations at UWE Bristol?
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 UWE Bristol?
The average entrant had 104 UCAS points.
Does BA Politics and International Relations at UWE Bristol 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 UWE Bristol?
84% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.