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Gain a world-class education in international relations theory and modern political thought.
This degree will give you a comprehensive view of the interlinking disciplines of politics and international relations. You'll achieve a firm understanding of government, political thought, empirical and theoretical approaches to international relations, and how multiple levels of political governance – national, regional and international – interact in the world.
The programme offers a huge variety of module options, allowing you to specialise in particular themes, topics and areas. You can examine global ethics, US foreign policy, race and racism in world politics or the intricacies of the European Union. You may also choose modules from other schools, covering subjects such as English, history, geography and languages.
You have the opportunity to study abroad in your third year, immersing yourself in the culture and politics of another country.
You can complete your Politics and International Relations degree in three or four years. If you choose to do a year abroad this will take place in Year 3 and Year 3 modules will instead be studied in Year 4.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
In each year you may also choose some modules from outside the School of Politics and International Relations.
Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.
Go global and study abroad as part of your degree – apply for our Politics and International Relations BA with a Year Abroad. Queen Mary has links with universities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia (partnerships vary for each degree programme).
Find out more about study abroad opportunities at Queen Mary and what the progression requirements are.
I believe it is important, now more than ever, for people to be aware of what is happening in our world beyond what can be learned through the news. Our world is undergoing fast changes and this course helps me analyse and understand them better.
You’ll receive approximately eight to 12 hours of weekly contact time, in the form of formal lectures and small group seminars. The seminars are designed to generate informed discussion around set topics, and may involve student presentations, group exercises and role-play as well as open discussion.
You’ll complete a further 20 hours of independent study a week.
Students are assessed by a combination of coursework and exams. A few modules are assessed by coursework only.
The School offers excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies, including:
UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.
Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.
Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.
Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.
We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.
Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:
School of Politics and International Relations graduates are highly employable, with invaluable political knowledge and research, analytical and communication skills that open doors to a huge variety of roles. They move into domestic and international careers both inside and outside the political sphere – predominantly in government, policy research, education, media and business.
Recent graduates from the School of Politics and International Relations have been hired by:
You'll have access to bespoke careers support every step of your degree, including one-to-one guidance, tailored workshops and career webinars. Our careers team can also offer:
Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.
Politics and International Relations - BA (Hons)
Politics and International Relations with Year Abroad - BA (Hons)
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The School of Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary is invested in high-quality teaching, and we pride ourselves on our friendly and informal approach. Our staff are active researchers with diverse interests, from British politics to the Middle East, which is reflected in our teaching and the breadth of our programmes.
Our location in one of the world’s greatest capital cities is hard to beat. Home to the nation’s Parliament, political think tanks and economic powerhouses, London is where all the action takes place. We host a range of high-profile speakers on campus, and offer students regular contact with Westminster, Whitehall and the third sector through our events.
Students can also take advantage of the Mile End Institute, a major policy centre based at Queen Mary which brings together policymakers, academics and local communities to address national political challenges.
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