Politics and International Relations with a Year Abroad
Swansea University
UCAS Code: L258 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Swansea University
UCAS Code: L258 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
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About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Our Joint Honours Politics and International Relations degree is designed for students who are interested in domestic politics (including the study of political theory, states, elections, and parliaments) as well as politics between countries (with a focus on international relations theory, security studies, and conflict). The degree allows students to develop expertise in both areas and to explore topics (such as environmental politics, global political economy, and international development) where they intersect.
The course is designed to give students a strong grounding in both politics and international relations in the first year, before allowing greater specialisation as well as increasing focus on the domestic/international intersection in the second year and building to a final year that centres on self-directed learning, allowing students flexibility to choose topics and areas that they wish to focus on. In the final year you also have the chance to take an internship with the Welsh Parliament and a British Parliamentary Studies module, partly taught by expert staff from the Houses of Parliament.
As part of this programme, you will spend a year abroad between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experience. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year. If you wish to receive more information, please get in touch with us on study@swansea.ac.uk
Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula,
**Why Politics and International Relations at Swansea?**
Politics at Swansea is ranked:
- 4th in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)
- 8th in the UK for Academic Support (NSS 2024*)
- Politics and International Relations at Swansea University is ranked in the Top 250 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
**International Relations at Swansea is ranked:**
- 4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
- Top 15 in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2025)
- Politics and International Relations at Swansea University is ranked in the Top 250 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
You will study in one of the select departments in the UK to offer the British Parliamentary Studies module, where you will be taught by our specialist academic staff and Members of Parliament, and you will visit the House of Commons.
You will have the competitive option of undertaking a work placement module with the National Assembly for Wales, working closely with Assembly Ministers.
You can also have a semester abroad in Hong Kong, Singapore or the USA, further enhancing your student experience and career prospects.
*Based on the average positivity score across questions 15 to 16 in the NSS 2024 when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide
**Your Politics and International Relations Experience**
- We offer varied and flexible course content, so you can shape your Politics and International Relations degree to your own interests.
- Topics include British and European politics, public policy, political theory and philosophy, electoral issues, democracy and International peace and conflict.
- Teaching is informed by our world-leading research and you can attend seminars organised through our guest speaker programme.
- You will have a personal tutor for any pastoral and academic support you may need.
Modules
Your first year of study is made up of compulsory modules covering a range of themes. Compulsory modules are studied by all students on the programme, meaning you are automatically enrolled.
Examples of compulsory modules include:
• Introduction to Politics
• Politics and the People
In your second and third year you will study a mixture of compulsory and optional modules, from an expansive range of subject areas.
Examples of optional modules in recent years have included:
• Contemporary Moral Controversies
• Freedom, Angst and the Embodied Self: Themes in Continental Philosophy
• America in Crisis: Political Culture and Society from the Tet Offensive to Trump
• International Security
• British Politics and Public Policy
You will have the opportunity to spend a year abroad between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experiencing different cultures. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year.
Your final year will include a compulsory independent dissertation project.
For the full programme structure and module breakdown, please visit our webpage at: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/social-sciences/politics-philosophy-international-relations/ba-politics-international-relations/
Assessment methods
We offer a variety of assessment methods within our programmes. In addition to traditional examinations and essays, examples of alternative assessment include:
• Presentations
• Group Work
• Original Writing
Throughout your undergraduate Politics and International Relations degree, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing.
For full breakdown of course structure and assessment please visit our course page: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/social-sciences/politics-philosophy-international-relations/ba-politics-international-relations/ or get in touch with us at study@swansea.ac.uk
The Uni
Singleton Park Campus
College of Arts and Humanities
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
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Politics
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Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Politics
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
The numbers of people taking politics degrees fell sharply last year and we'll keep an eye on this one - it can't really be because of graduates getting poor outcomes as politics grads do about as well as graduates on average. Most politics or international relations graduates don't actually go into politics - although many do, as activists, fundraisers and researchers. Jobs in local and central government are also important. Other popular jobs include marketing and PR, youth and community work, finance roles, HR and academic research (you usually need a postgraduate degree to get into research). Because so many graduates get jobs in the civil service, a lot of graduates find themselves in London after graduating. Politics is a very popular postgraduate subject, and so about one in five politics graduates go on to take another course - usually a one-year Masters - after they finish their degrees.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Politics
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£16k
£25k
£30k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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