Politics and International Relations at UEA
Find out more about studying Politics and International Relations at UEA, and browse our other courses.
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UEA is ranked 14th overall for research quality Politics and International Studies
Times Higher Education REF 2021 AnalysisIt’s almost impossible to separate a single country’s politics from the interconnected world of international relations. So many of the world’s big issues – from economic crises, to war, to climate change, and to threats to democracy – are problems for domestic governments and for the international community alike. Studying International Relations and Politics, you’ll explore the close links between domestic and international politics. Our graduates go on to exciting and rewarding careers in a variety of areas, working for international agencies, parliaments, political parties, charities, non-government organisations (NGOs), think-tanks, and other fields.
On our BA International Relations and Politics degree, you’ll be taught by cutting-edge specialists in both disciplines. You’ll look at the political systems of powerful countries in different regions such as the United States, the EU, China and Japan in East Asia, or India. You’ll explore the causes and significance of different types of conflict, and the role of the media in shaping domestic politics and foreign policy.
You’ll also ask big questions such as: What role do norms or values such as human rights or gender equality play in domestic and global politics? Do our moral responsibilities extend beyond the borders of the country into which we happened to be born? Why should you vote – or fight, or protest, or campaign?
Our International Relations and Politics course prepares you for a variety of career paths in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Your personal adviser and dedicated School career adviser will work with you to provide guidance and support to ensure you have access to the right opportunities to pursue your passion and make a difference.
During the course, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in study trips, internships and placements in the UK and Europe. You’ll also have the option of a semester abroad in your second year.
Find out more about studying Politics and International Relations at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreYou can participate in outgoing study across the globe for one semester (in the second semester of your second year) at one of UEA’s partner universities. Opportunities abroad enhance your academic experience, increase your employability prospects, help you build a network of contacts with other students – and are fun!
For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.
Your undergraduate degree in International Relations and Politics will begin with an overview of the key questions and debates within the disciplines of international relations and politics. You’ll also explore different understandings of key issues within domestic and global politics, from democracy, to war, conflict and security through to issues around gender, environmental politics and migration.
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Throughout your degree, you’ll be taught in a range of environments from traditional lectures through to small group seminars where you’ll debate your week’s work. Our teaching is focused, interactive, and up to date with events around the world. You’ll learn crucial skills such as how to summarise and analyse information, how to develop and criticise arguments, and how to speak in public. At the same time, you’ll learn about the world of global politics.
In year one, you’ll learn about the foundations of domestic and global politics, key concepts and topical debates, setting you up for your second year.
Independent Learning
You’ll prepare for your weekly teaching with a series of guided tasks, such as preparing answers to seminar questions, or completing small weekly writing tasks which will help you to develop key study skills. You'll also complete longer assessments like essays, presentations and projects.
How you'll spend your time
Our assessments are predominantly at the individual level, with some group assessments. These include essays and other written assessments including mini-essays and critical summaries of around 500 words, literature reviews, or reading logs.
As you progress in your degree, you'll continue to solidify your understanding of the complex world of politics and international relations through studying core modules. You’ll also acquire essentials research methods skills, such as conducting interviews, or running and analysing a survey. You’ll be encouraged to specialise in your studies by taking modules that focus on more specific topics or regions of the world. This will allow you to shape your expertise around your passions and shape your potential career path.
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
You’ll move beyond the foundations to explore different areas of domestic and global politics, both geographically and theoretically. You'll have more opportunities to speak in front of your peers and tutors, developing key skills.
Independent Learning
You’ll write longer pieces and start to develop your own research skills and areas of interest. You’ll have the opportunity to take modules with a range of different assessments including writing policy briefs, reflective essays or literature reviews.
How you'll spend your time
As you progress through your degree, you can choose from a wide range of modules with a range of assessment formats. The majority of our assessment is at the individual level and is written coursework. You’ll also have the opportunity to take modules involving assessment by presentation, group projects, including group presentations, and a range of new types of writing including policy briefs, reports and select committee submissions.
Your undergraduate degree in International Relations and Politics will begin with an overview of the key questions and debates within the disciplines of international relations and politics. You’ll also explore different understandings of key issues within domestic and global politics, from democracy, to war, conflict and security through to issues around gender, environmental politics and migration.
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Throughout your degree, you’ll be taught in a range of environments from traditional lectures through to small group seminars where you’ll debate your week’s work. Our teaching is focused, interactive, and up to date with events around the world. You’ll learn crucial skills such as how to summarise and analyse information, how to develop and criticise arguments, and how to speak in public. At the same time, you’ll learn about the world of global politics.
In year one, you’ll learn about the foundations of domestic and global politics, key concepts and topical debates, setting you up for your second year.
Independent Learning
You’ll prepare for your weekly teaching with a series of guided tasks, such as preparing answers to seminar questions, or completing small weekly writing tasks which will help you to develop key study skills. You'll also complete longer assessments like essays, presentations and projects.
How you'll spend your time
You’ll have the opportunity to write a dissertation or group project. You'll select the topic, research question and methodology, under the guidance of an academic expert.
You’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills for a range of careers. These might include working for different political organisations such as international agencies, parliaments or political parties. You could work with charities, non-government organisations (NGOs), think-tanks, universities or other research organisations, or even with bodies like the civil or diplomatic service or armed forces. You could also go into business, marketing, media, or teaching. Alternatively, you could continue your studies with a postgraduate degree.
To help you make the transition from student to working life, our Careers Service organises a range of popular events, such as Working in Politics and Government, Working in Charities and NGOs, and Working in Westminster and Whitehall. Here you’ll have the chance to make valuable contacts and get advice and insights from successful UEA alumni.
Examples of careers you could enter include:
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
ABB
Contextual offer: BBC
DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Contextual: DD plus C at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
Contextual: D plus BC at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3.
Not accepted
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as BA (Hons) Politics (with a Foundation Year)
32 points overall.
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
AAABB or above.
BCC or above.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
ABB
32 points overall
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
International Relations and Politics starting September 2025 for 3 years