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Politics & International Relations BSc (Hons)

UCAS code: L240

Gain the tools to understand the world and make a change within it on a BSc (Hons) Politics & International Relations degree. Combine the theory and the real world aspects of politics, looking at local, national and global political decisions and their impact.

Overview

Course length: 3 years full-time
6 years part-time
Start dates: September 2024
September 2025
Location: Edge Hill University
Subject(s): Politics and International Relations
Faculty: Arts and Sciences
Department: Law, Criminology and Policing
A group of students sat with an academic around a table. Each student has their own laptop.

There has never been a better time to study Politics and International Relations. Employers are increasingly looking for graduates who understand political and geopolitical realities.

If you’re fascinated by why decisions are taken and what that means for people locally, nationally and globally, then this course is for you. We’ll help you to learn about the political landscape of the world – both at home and overseas. We’ll also encourage you to be prepared and keep on top of the news as it develops. The degree content evolves and changes in line with current events and the ever changing world of politics to ensure our teaching is as up to date as possible.

Our lecturers have stood in elections, organised campaigns, written speeches and monitored overseas elections. Their experience, combined with a deep understanding of political concepts and theories, provides the ideal mix of theory and practice. Join us and build knowledge of a vast range of political settings, institutions and players and become ready to set your sights on careers in international organisations as well as at home.

Course features

  • Sandwich year option available

  • Studying abroad option available

  • Learn a language option available

  • Work placement opportunity

  • International students can apply

What you'll study

In Year 1 of the BSc (Hons) Politics & International Relations degree, we’ll introduce the foundations of politics. Modules will cover the study of policy making, UK politics, international relations, political theories and the analysis of political speech-making.

Compulsory modules:

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Introduction to Political Concepts and Theory
Introduction to International Relations
UK Politics - Issues and Challenges Since 1979
Analysing Policy and Policy-Making

Two of:

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The Art of Political Rhetoric - from Pericles to Putin
Parliaments and Devolution in the UK
Language 1

In Year 2, we’ll introduce you to a range of research methods. We’ll also focus on European politics, key political thinkers, US politics and topics such as industrial relations and psephology – the statistical study of elections and trends in voting.

Compulsory modules:

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Research Methods for Politics
Contemporary US Politics
Political Ideologies
Capital and National Capital and Labour in the 20th Century

Two of:

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Comparative European Politics
Elections and Voting Systems
Preparing for Work in Politics
The Politics of Migration
Party Politics at Home and Abroad
1968 And All That: Protest in Western Europe
Public International Law
Language 2

Year 3 allows you to tailor your studies through a wide choice of optional modules. You’ll have the chance to focus in depth on subjects such as the rise of China, strategic political communications and advanced parliamentary studies. You’ll also have the opportunity to take on more practical elements to build your experience, including the chance to work on a policy issue as a think tank, or complete a work placement. You’ll bring everything you’ve learned together as you complete a dissertation in a topic of your choice.

Compulsory modules:

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Dissertation - Politics and International Relations

Four of:

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Advanced International Relations - Focus on Asia
Advanced Parliamentary Studies
Advanced Political and Ethical Theory
Britain and the European Union
British Rule in Palestine
Global and National Activist Movements
Global Capitalism and its Discontents
International Peace and Security
Migration in Europe
Politics Work Placement
Seeds of Conflict in the Holy Land, 1840-1923
Strategic Political Communications
The Special Relationship: Britain and the USA
The Think Tank
Language 3

Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements. Some restrictions on optional module choice or combinations of optional modules may apply.

How you'll study

The degree includes a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The degree content evolves and changes inline with current events and the ever changing world of politics to ensure our teaching is as up to date as possible. There will also be opportunities to participate in field trips, for example to the Scottish Parliament, Westminster and party conferences. You can generally expect to be taught for at least three days a week if you are studying the course full-time.

Timetables for your first week are normally available at the end of August prior to enrolment in September. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your first week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.

How you'll be assessed

You will be assessed through a variety of coursework, such as essays, reports, presentations and scenario responses. There is limited use of examinations on some modules.

Who will be teaching you

The BSc (Hons) Politics & International Relations degree teaching team includes academic experts who are, or have been, involved in real world politics. Students can take advantage of the expertise and contacts of research-active staff with a range of political specialisms.

The course team actively participate in debates and interviews in the media. The degree also makes use of visiting speakers such as politicians and those working in politics.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Typical offer 112-120 UCAS tariff points achieved through A levels, BTEC, International Baccalaureate, Access Diploma, T Level, or Irish Leaving Certificate. No specific subjects are required.

Example offers

Qualification Requirement
A Level BBC-BBB.
BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications) Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM).
T Level Overall grade of Merit.
International Baccalaureate (IB) We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points.
Access to Higher Education Diploma 45 credits at Level 3, for example 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit or 24 credits at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations.

Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.

If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven't been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.

English language requirements

International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.

If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.

How to apply

Apply full-time

Apply online through UCAS

Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.

International

Apply as an international student

Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

Part-time applications require a direct application to Edge Hill. Please select the year of entry that you wish to apply for.

Apply for September 2024 part-time.

Apply for September 2025 part-time.

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

Did you know?

If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.

Discover our accommodation

Facilities

Law and Psychology buildingThe £6million Law and Psychology building provides contemporary teaching and learning facilities for students in the School of Law, Criminology and Policing and the Department of Psychology.

The three-storey building includes a 250-seat lecture theatre, seminar and tutorial rooms, and social learning areas which encourage a more informal and interactive style of learning. Elsewhere on campus, there is a mooting room (a mock courtroom) and Police Training and Simulation Facility.

Where you'll study

Law and Psychology

Finance

Tuition fees

UK Full-Time

£9,250

a year

UK Part-Time

£77 per credit

for 360 credits

International

£16,500

a year

The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.

Financial support

Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.

Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.

Your future career

There are a range of potential career areas for students graduating from this degree.

These include journalism, working for MPs and other elected officials, the civil service, public affairs and within public relations, research, and local government.

With further study, you might also go into teaching, or pursue a career in academia.

Course changes

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Track changes to this course

Discover Uni: Full-Time Study

Download our course leaflet