BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations

Address some of the world’s most pressing challenges and moral matters. Explore political thinking and get to the core of issues from conflict to climate change.

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Typical offer: 112−120
Entry requirements
Fees: £9,535 per year (UK)
Full details
UCAS code: L290
Course length: Various
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Location:
University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
Institute code: H36
Work placement option
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Study abroad option
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1st in the UK for student satisfaction for politics (Complete University Guide, 2024)

96% satisfaction for teaching on my course (NSS, 2024, based on the average of Q1-4)

Professional skills modules, employer introductions, work placement and study abroad opportunities

About the course

Course overview

Why did Russia choose to invade the Ukraine? Why do countries struggle to cooperate over climate change? On our BA Politics and International Relations degree, you will study the impact of political concepts and decisions to understand the challenges that national and international politics faces in the 21st century.

This course will appeal to anyone with an interest and educational background in politics, sociology and history looking to deepen their understanding of the global political landscape of today and turn this into a successful career in the world of local and international politics, the media or business.

The course will provide you with a thorough grounding in political science, international relations, political sociology and research methods, with analysis of how national and international politics has developed and changed in the 20th and 21st centuries. You will go beyond the theory, applying political research to real-world issues, from climate change to the rise of populism, international conflict and political communication in the age of social media.

The course covers political science, international relations and sociology. You will examine multidisciplinary approaches to problems and devise policy solutions to these, developing the knowledge and skills to question, analyse and debate real-world issues.

Guest speakers from different industries complement your learning, providing invaluable insights as well as professional connections.

Why choose this course?

At Herts, you will be taught and inspired by a dynamic teaching team that includes active researchers and staff with diverse professional backgrounds from political communication and parties to recruitment and the charity sector.

Employability is integrated into the curriculum. You will gain transferrable skills in critical thinking, research, analysis, problem-solving and communication; these skills are key to launching a successful career in a wide range of professional fields such as media and public relations, governmental and non-governmental organisations, teaching, business and research. You will regularly meet potential employers through events and activities such as lectures and tutorials with guest speakers, CV and cover letter workshops, assessment centre experience and career advice sessions.

The course offers flexible study options, with hybrid teaching on campus and online making it easy to combine studies with part-time work, commuting or family commitments. You will also benefit from choice of modules and the chance to involve yourself in the academic community of the department through societies, research events and the student-run social media channels.

Alongside your degree, you will benefit from co-curricular activities and trips to enhance your studies: opportunities include taking part in the Model UN discussions and being involved with the Herts Politics blog and social media presence to showcase your work and develop media skills. Our proximity to London means that modules on the course feature visits to political institutions and organisations based in London such as Parliament and Chatham House.

Your future career

Our Politics and International Relations graduates work in a variety of different professional fields, with typical careers in political administration, political advocacy, journalism and public relations, teaching, research and the private sector.

Possible roles of employment include:

Diplomat
Political analyst
Journalist
International lawyer
Teacher
Parliamentary researcher

Herts graduates have secured roles in the House of Commons, Department for Education and at the Wellcome Trust.

See what recent graduates are up to

What you'll study

On this course, you’ll be taught via a combination of block-taught on-campus modules as well as hybrid modules with online activities and on-campus seminars. Modules are designed with a focus on practical application and employability.

You will explore a wide range of topics related to current developments and issues in national and international politics, including:

contemporary US Politics
conflict and post-conflict transitions to peace
climate change as a political challenge
energy and resource politics
political sociology
the politics of multiculturalism
the rise of new global powers such as China and Russia
populist politics and radical democratic alternatives.
sociology and activism in practice
politics and sociology of sports and popular culture

In your first year, you'll study the foundations of different fields of political research and basic academic skills.

In your second year, you will develop your knowledge in areas of political research of your choice, as well as research methods and research design skills.

In the final year, you will gain in-depth knowledge in your chosen areas of political research whilst advancing your understanding of research design and research practice.

Optional modules from geography and environment can be taken, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests. There are options for work placements and study abroad opportunities.

Assessment is via a range of assignments including policy reports, explainer videos, presentations and blog posts.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Democracy Today: Changes and Challenges	15 Credits	Compulsory
Democracy Today provides students with an overview of the concept of democracy within contemporary political systems. Students will explore contemporary case studies, both democratic and non-democratic, focusing on their governance structure and political processes. Students will also unpack changes in the spread of democracy over the last 25 years.
Critical Perspectives on International Relations	15 Credits	Compulsory
Critical Perspectives on International Relations will equip you with a solid knowledge and understanding of a wide range of theoretical approaches we can use to make sense of the most pressing issues in the international arena such as war, migration, and climate change.
Radical Visions: Political Concepts that Changed the World	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces you to the ideas that ground democratic politics. Against the background of their contested histories, you will analyse and debate whether our ideas of the citizenship, rights or freedom are still fit for purpose. The module covers a wide range of topics on contemporary politics, from free speech to revolutionary movements.
International Conflict and Peace	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces you to some of the most challenging and pressing issues of international conflicts and peace. You will explore the main characteristics of contemporary conflicts, from those prompted by political insurgencies to tensions produced by environmental challenges. The module will encourage you to think about precedents to conflicts and peacebuilding policy strategies.
Westminster Under Strain: Change and Continuity in British Politics	15 Credits	Compulsory
Westminster Under Strain focuses on the historic development and contemporary nature of British Politics. Students will explore the structural dynamics of Britain's political system and the processes through which citizens participate in British Politics. Students will also unpack some of the key issues facing British Politics today.
Understanding Politics	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module will help you transition to university life. It will cover the types of assignments that you will encounter and will teach you how to successfully complete them. It does so by covering the key concepts that define the fields of political science and International Relations.
Theory and Politics of Multiculturalism	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is essential to those wishing to work in the public and private sectors. You will be required to explore the origins, theory and models of multiculturalism in the UK, Europe and internationally in a globalised world facing similar challenges. You will explore the evolution of different models and ongoing development.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Social and Spatial Inequalities	15 Credits	Optional
Gaining a critical appreciation of UK social and spatial inequalities is key to understanding contemporary society. By examining key theories and issues (such as health, gender and refugees etc), students consider the inter-relationships and government and community responses. This will enable students to appreciate the everyday realities of inequalities.
Data, Media and Political Communication	15 Credits	Optional
Students will gain a valuable and critical understanding of the role of political communication. They will develop an understanding of how decision-makers bring about political or behavioural change and how the world is shaped by the relationships between politicians, the media and the public.
Apocalypse Now? Governing the Anthropocene	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to the political and governance challenges presented by environmental challenges such as climate change. In this module students will learn that producing effective climate policy is an inherently complex activity because of the politicisation of climate science, the interconnectedness of environmental issues and broader societal aspects and the interaction between different governance scales.
The End of the American Empire? US Politics Today	15 Credits	Compulsory
The End of the American Empire module invites students to reflect on the contemporary workings of US politics. Students will explore the constitutional basis of US politics and the suitability of existing institutions and processes. Students will also evaluate the most pressing social, economic, and political challenges facing Americans today.
Resource Power: The Politics of Development and Energy	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module Resource Power: The Politics of Development and Energy invites students to engage with the main issues, actors and approaches in the field of energy and development. Students will explore energy in relation to power and development with a specific focus on the challenges associated with the energy transition.
Becoming the Other: Gender, Identity, Politics	15 Credits	Optional
This module explores gender identity, sex and sexuality as playing fields of power and political contestation. The module introduces you to classic and contemporary approaches in Feminist thinking and gives insight into how gender operates in different social fields from the family to the media, the workplace and political activism.
The Death of the Liberal Order: China, Russia and Beyond	15 Credits	Compulsory
Understanding theories of political economy is essential to a wide range of careers. The new global powers of China and Russia present alternative political-economic models to Western liberal-democracies and markets. This impacts other emerging powers amidst growing competition for scarce resources. This module will explore a variety of case studies.
Political Research in Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module will provide students with an introduction to both quantitative and qualitative methods and research designs. The module will teach key methods of data collection and analysis that are crucial in the modern scholarship, policy and business worlds.
Decolonial Critical Thinking	15 Credits	Optional
This module explores the impact of colonisation and decolonisation on political thought, a vital element shaping modern societies. You will explore Non-Western Political Theory from the pre-Colonisation era as well as later decolonising critiques. Subsequently, we shall consider post-colonial perspectives and their contributions to modern day political crises.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Geopolitics in a Changing World	15 Credits	Optional
This module introduces you to geopolitics, geostrategy, historical geography and international relations, charting the development of nation states, border disputes and diplomatic relationships using concepts like postcolonialism and globalisation. Contemporary world events such as terrorism, world order, migrant crisis, food security and climate change are examined, and spatial consequences assessed.
International Security	15 Credits	Optional
This module provides students with analytical tools to think critically and independently about the nature of contemporary international security, focusing on developments since the end of the Cold War. The module focuses on the theory and practice of international security in the contemporary era. It examines and expands on a wide range of contemporary security issues.
Beyond the UN? Global Governance Today	15 Credits	Optional
This module aims to introduce students to the study of global governance by examining the role, politics and processes of the United Nations (UN) and other international actors. The module examines the activities of the UN with regards to contemporary global issues including poverty, global health, refugee crises and war, amongst others. In examining the UN's activities and decision making, the module interrogates the centrality of the UN to current and future global governance as a key actor within global politics and a site of global policy making.
Advocating for Change - Global Political Sociology in Practice	15 Credits	Optional
This module builds on students' prior knowledge of political sociology so that they translate their theoretical understanding of contemporary issues into practical policy suggestions. The module shows how our academic analyses of social relations can be turned into policy suggestions.
Populist Politics and Radical Democracy	15 Credits	Optional
This module focuses on the critical study of populist politics. You will learn analytical frameworks and research tools to study current and past forms of populism. The module explores to what extent populist politics responds to political disenfranchisement, and whether radical democracy can offer alternatives to right-wing populism.
The Politics of Sport and Popular Culture	15 Credits	Optional
The Politics of Sport module invites students to explore the complex relationship between sport and politics. Students will uncover examples of sport and politics colliding and consider whether sport can act as a means for societal reconciliation. Students will also unpack the benefits and challenges that sport provides a country's leadership.
Project Management	15 Credits	Optional
This module will explore different models of project management appropriate to social science using examples from charity, research, and heritage environments with a view to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). It will develop the UH Graduate Attributes, key to good Project management, through a group project designing and managing a PIR event at UH.
Ethics and Psychology of Statecraft	15 Credits	Optional
The Ethics and Psychology of Statecraft module asks students to consider how ethical frameworks and psychological processes influence political decision-making. Students will use contemporary ethical theories and psychological approaches to analyse contemporary case studies. Students will also explore the ethical dilemmas facing states people today and the psychological traits that shape contemporary statecraft.
Political Dissertation	30 Credits	Compulsory
The Political Dissertation is the culmination of the degree. It is an opportunity for students to pursue their passion in politics and International Relations by developing their own research project. Students will collect data, analyse it and write up the results. They will then present this work to their peers.

What if I need support?

You'll benefit from an academic support team, wellbeing team and a personal tutor to help you adjust to the demands of university learning and living.

Additional support is available from our Student Success team focused on inclusive learning and our dedicated Future Success network who will help you with work experience, placements and graduate jobs.

Our in-house Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE) offers extra support with academic writing, numeracy and referencing.

Optional sandwich year

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd. This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a year in industry, typically between your second and third years of study. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.

Research shows that over 70% of employers prefer students with work experience, which is why we believe work placements are career gold. Our Careers and Employment service are here to support you explore your options and make valuable contacts for your future career.

You’ll pay no tuition fee for this year and won’t need to worry about the details of your placement until your second year of study.

Find out more about work placements

Study Abroad offers the opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about study abroad options

You’ll pay no tuition fee for this year and won’t need to worry about the details of your placement until your second year of study.

Find out more about work placements

Find out more about study abroad options

Where you'll study

Your main campus is College Lane. This is home to our health and social work, computer science, engineering, physics, maths and astronomy, art and design, film, music and media, life and medical sciences and humanities subjects. This means you’ll share the campus with future politicians, nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus cafes.

We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.

Who you'll learn from

You will be taught and inspired by an experienced teaching team with research expertise in areas such as peacebuilding and post-conflict transition, international justice, climate change governance, Islamic political thinking and spirituality in digital spaces.

Guest speakers from a variety of industries complement the teaching, providing invaluable insights and professional connections.

How we support our students

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.

We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.

Find out more about support and wellbeing

Entry requirements

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

Typical offer (UCAS points)	112–120
Typical A Level offer	BBC–BBB
Typical IB offer	112−120 from a minimum of two higher level (HL) subjects at H4 or above.
Typical BTEC offer	DMM−DDM
Typical T Level offer	Design Survey and Planning for Construction; Design Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare; Healthcare Science; Health; Science; Digital Support Services; Digital Business Services; Onsite Construction; Building Services Engineering for Construction; Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control; Finance; Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; Management and Administration; Agriculture, Land Management and Production; Legal Services.
GCSE	Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.
Access courses	An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3.
Additional information	Find out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements.

English language	All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band. If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.
Additional information	Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

English language

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

Additional information

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Ready to apply?

UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

Start date	Study type	Apply
September 2025	Full time	Apply via UCAS
	Full time with placement year	Apply via UCAS
	Full time with study abroad year	Apply via UCAS

International and EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Apply through Clearing

Make sure you've got your UCAS number, if you've got one (you can find this on your UCAS Hub), your results (including GCSEs, A levels, BTECs or equivalent) and the course(s) you'd like to apply for.

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Click to call or dial 0300 303 6300

Find out more before you apply

Our Clearing hotline is open Monday – Thursday, 09:00 – 16:45, and Friday 09:00 – 15:45. To apply you will need your UCAS number, if you've got one (you can find this on your UCAS Hub), your results (including GCSEs, A levels, BTECs or equivalent) and the course(s) you'd like to apply for.

Fees and funding

At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.

	Study type	Fees
UK students	Full time	£9,535 for the 2025/2026 academic year
UK students	Part time	£1,190 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 academic year
EU students	Full time	£15,965 for the 2025/2026 academic year
EU students	Part time	£1,995 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 academic year
International students	Full time	£15,965 for the 2025/2026 academic year
International students	Part time	£1,995 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 academic year

Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries	Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies.
Disabled Students' Allowance	The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.
Student loans	Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments.
Accommodation costs	We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.
Additional course fees	Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet.

More about the course

Course fact sheets
BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations (Revised 2024)	Download PDF

Programme specifications
BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations	Download PDF

Additional information
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes
Course length	Full Time, 3 YearsPart Time, 6 YearsSandwich, 4 Years

BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations

Address some of the world’s most pressing challenges and moral matters. Explore political thinking and get to the core of issues from conflict to climate change.

Typical offer: 112−120

Fees: £9,535 per year (UK)

UCAS code: L290

Course length: Various

Location: University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Institute code: H36

Work placement option

Study abroad option

Course overview

Why choose this course?

Your future career

See what recent graduates are up to

Harry Barnes

Jacob Dyer

Harry Barnes

From undergrad to postgrad

After Herts

Harry’s advice

Jacob Dyer

Trying something new

Making friends for life

Falling in love with academia

What you'll study

What if I need support?

Optional sandwich year

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Where you'll study

Who you'll learn from

How we support our students

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.

Entry requirements

UK applicants

International applicants

Ready to apply?

UK applicants

UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

International applicants

International and EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through Clearing

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Additional information

More about the course

Further information

Not ready to apply?

Undergraduate degrees and courses

Student Life at Herts

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Location:
University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield