Discover the world through two powerful lenses: global politics and American influence. Our combined degree in International Relations and American Studies offers you the chance to explore how nations interact, why power matters, and how U.S. culture and policy have shaped and continue to shape the international stage. From diplomacy and security to literature, film, and identity, you will gain critical insights into today’s most pressing global challenges, while developing the analytical and communication skills that employers value.

Our Joint Honours BA degree covers International Relations with its focus on global politics, security, human rights, and international cooperation as well as American Studies exploring U.S. history, culture, politics, and its role as a global power. You will have the chance to study American history, literature, politics and culture, from colonisation to the present, and a range of international relations topics from globalisation, international security, to peace and conflict management, or human rights and political economy. Together, they provide a holistic view of how the U.S. shapes, and is shaped by, the international system, which is highly relevant in today’s interconnected world.

You can shape the degree to your own interests, whether in US popular culture and political protest or political theory and international peace and conflict. You also have the chance to study for a year or a semester in the United States, discovering the subject first-hand.

Year Abroad

This programme includes the opportunity to undertake a Year Abroad, giving you the chance to gain invaluable life experience by immersing yourself in a new culture.

Year in Industry

This course offers the chance to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for pain-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Awards and Rankings

in the UK

International Relations

Unifresher Awards 2027

for Graduate Prospects - on track

Complete University Guide 2027

for Student Satisfaction

In the UK

for Student Voice

National Student Satisfaction Survey (NSS) 2026

for Student Experience

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027

Politics

UK Government’s Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2026

for Academic Support

for Teaching Satisfaction

The Guardian University Guide 2027

For Graduate Prospects

for Teaching Quality

for American and Australasian studies

* Assessed under American and Australasian studies. Based on the average positivity score per theme in the NSS 2026 when ranked against universities as featured in the Times Good University Guide.

** out of 27 institutions offering this subject

*** For the percentage of graduates in sustained employment, further study, or both one year after graduating

**** Assessed under Politics. Based on the average positivity score per theme in the NSS 2026 when ranked against universities as featured in the Times Good University Guide.

***** International Relations

****** Politics & International Relations

******* out of 27 institutions offering this subject

******** out of 27 institutions offering this subject

********* Politics & International Relations

********** out of 27 institutions offering this subject

Why International Relations and American Studies at Swansea?

Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, our International Relations and American Studies degree is highly regarded by employers.

The degree includes the option of studying in the United States for a semester or a year, further enhancing your student experience and career prospects.

You will have the competitive option of undertaking an internship module with the National Assembly for Wales, working closely with an Assembly Member.

Your International Relations and American Studies Experience

We offer varied and flexible course content, so you can shape your American Studies and International Relations degree to your own interests.

Topics include American film, music, race, gender, migration and urbanization, social, economic and military history, intelligence studies, or civil rights and political protest, globalisation and human rights, political economy, peace and conflict, and security studies.

Teaching is informed by our world-leading interdisciplinary research in a wide range of subject areas, from civil rights, US foreign policy, and the Cold War to the American Civil War, contemporary US fiction, and the Harlem Renaissance.

During your time at Swansea University, you will have the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of clubs and societies. The American Studies Student Society organises a range of social and cultural events. The Politics and International Relations Student Society (PAIR) provides another network to get involved with for social and career related events, including talks by guest speakers from practice.

This programme includes opportunities to undertake a Semester or Year Abroad in the United States, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience.

This course also offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

We've enhanced our modules to deliver an engaging learning experience, designed to help you develop the skills employers are looking for. Discover what's on offer and feel inspired by the modules you can study.

Explore Modules

Course type

Year 1 (Level 4)

FHEQ 4 Undergraduate / HECert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Name

Module Duration

Module Code

Locating American Studies

September-January (TB1)

International Relations in a Changing World

Forging a Nation: US History and Politics

January-June (TB2)

War and Peace in the Nuclear Age

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select one module. HIY103C has a Welsh medium seminar.Optional module - American Studies

Guidance

Making Modern Europe, 1789 to the Present

Creu Ewrop Fodern, 1789 hyd y Presennol

Who Sings America? Literature and Culture of the United States

NOTE : Select one module. Students who selected the semester 1 American Studies optional module must select a semester 2 module in IR, and vice versaOptional Module - International Relations

Politics and the People

Disinformation, Ideology, and Bias: Researching and examining political data

The Colour Line: Race and Racism in World Politics

Critical Reasoning

Year 2 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip

Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations

Global Justice and Human Rights in the Age of Globalisation

NOTE : Select ONE module. Students must not exceed 60 credits in any one semester, and must pursue 60 credits in each joint honours subject.Optional Module Choices - International Relations

Disunited Kingdom? Class, Race, Gender and Social Division in Twentieth-Century Britain

Philosophy of the Enlightenment

The State and Political Institutions

Investigating Gender

Devolution, Policy Making and Social Change

The Global First World War

A Matter of Life and Death: Exploring Existential Philosophy

Contemporary Moral Controversies

The History of Political Thought

International Security

Global Summit Simulation

Contemporary Wars and Conflicts

British Politics and Public Policy

The Global South in International Relations: Diplomacy, Development, and Resistance

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select 3x 20 credit modules from this list. Overall, you must select 60 credits in each teaching block and you must select 60 credits in each of your joint honours subjects.American Studies optional modules

America in a Nutshell: A History of Pennsylvania from William Penn to Donald Trump, 1631-2016

The Making of Transatlantic America

Race and Ethnicity: American Perspectives

America in Crisis: From the Tet Offensive to Trump

Re-Thinking the South: Southern Culture and History, 1865-1955

American Word / American Image

The Story of America on Film and Television, 1607-1867

Stori America Ar Ffilm a Theledu, 1607-1867

Year 3 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours

Researching Politics 1

Choose Minimum Of 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Joint honours students are permitted to select a dissertation in only ONE of their joint honours subjects.Compulsory Modules Selective - Dissertation

American Studies Dissertation

September-June (TB1+2)

Dissertation

Senedd Cymru/The Welsh Parliament

Choose Maximum Of 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : If you have opted for the PO-3317 dissertation or PO-3323 you already have your 60cr of International Relations for the year.If you have chosen the American Studies Dissertation select 2x 20 credit modules from this list. Overall, you must select a balance of 60 credits in each teaching block. Optional Module Choices - International Relations

The Russian Civil War

Philosophy, Mental Health and Illness

Parliamentary Studies

Capitalism and Justice

Genocide

The Rise and Fall of Wales? Politics, Culture and Society, 1847-1939

The Philosophy and Politics of Identity

Digital Futures

Shadow Wars: US Presidents and covert action from the Cold War to Trump

Researching Politics 2

Global Environmental Politics

Choose Minimum Of 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : If you have selected the American Studies dissertation select one module. If you have selected the Politics Dissertation/National Assembly for Wales module select three modules. Overall you must select 60 credits per teaching block and 60 credits in each of your joint honours subjects.American Studies Optional Module Choices

African American Literature 1910-1940: The Harlem Renaissance

The Story of the USA on Film and Television, 1865-2008

Stori yr Unol Daleithiau ar Ffilm a Theledu, 1865-2008

HIH3378C

Clear and Present Danger: America and Terrorism

The American Civil War in History and Memory

The Cold War

America and the Bomb

NOTE : Select three modules making sure that overall you select three modules in each teaching block. American Studies optional modules

Year 3 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate Sandwich Year

Year Abroad (American Studies)

Year 4 (Level 6)

NOTE : If you have selected the American Studies dissertation select one module. If you have selected the Politics Dissertation/National Assembly for Wales module select three modules. Overall you must select 60 credits per teaching block and 60 credits in each of your joint honours subjects.American Studies optional modules

Placement Preparation: Year in Industry / Year in Practice

Year in Industry - School of Social Sciences

Academic Year

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Explore Entry Requirements

Our standard entry requirement is BBB (UCAS tariff points 120) or equivalent. All offers are made following a review of the application form, predicted/achieved grades and subjects, the reference and personal statement. We also accept a range of advanced level qualifications including: International Baccalaureate 32; Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - grade equivalent to A-level; Access to Higher Education and Open University qualifications, and Extended Project.

Here are the requirements for International students.

For applicants whose first language is not English, we require IELTS 6.0 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English test.

Careers and Employability

The breadth of International Relations and American Studies fosters transferable skills valued by employers, including creative thinking, critical awareness, team working, and advanced oral and written communication skills. International Relations and American Studies graduates are known for their adaptability and creativity because the course requires students to make connections between disciplines and traditions.

Our graduates enter careers in a wide range of sectors including:

Education

Marketing, PR, and Media

Government and policy analysis

Research

Events management

Our students have also gained employment working for organisations such as:

Westminster Forum Projects

Different Political Parties at UK and Welsh level of government

Price Waterhouse Coopers

Civil Service

More Careers and Employability Information

The Careers and Employability Team will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs

Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers

Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities

Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics

Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding

Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

As a Swansea University graduate, you can access lifelong careers and employability support.

Students on this course typically develop excellent oral and writing skills and you will learn to present your ideas in a range of formats, along with strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Marketing

Government

How You're Taught

At Swansea, you will benefit from a high-quality, research-informed

education that combines a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods,

carefully tailored to suit the needs of your course. Most courses are taught

in person, on campus, giving you the opportunity to

actively engage with other students, academic staff, and the wider

university community.

You can expect a mix of

lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions -

including laboratory work, skills training, or studio-based teaching where

relevant to your discipline. These sessions are designed to encourage active

participation, collaboration, and the development of both subject-specific

and transferable skills.

Digital learning tools are also used to enhance your

learning experience. These may include:

Recorded lectures to support flexible study and

revision.

Virtual labs or simulated environments, particularly in

science, healthcare, and technical disciplines.

Online resources on the university’s virtual learning

environment (Canvas), including videos, reading materials, quizzes, and

discussion forums.

This approach enables you to engage with and review content at your own pace

while benefiting from the structure and support of in-person teaching.

This course may offer some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or

bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh

speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh

Provision expander below.

N.B If you are an international student studying with a Student Route

Visa, please note that your timetabled activity, along with any

additional supervisory activity (with Swansea University staff present)

will take place on campus. In line with UKVI protocol, these sessions

will be monitored and data made available on request.

Welsh Provision

Some provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study some elements of this course through the medium of Welsh but

there is not yet enough provision to reach 40 credits in each year*.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea

University. We can offer you:

Access to generous Welsh-language study bursaries.

An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.

The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.

The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to

study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.

A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.

One-to-one support through the medium of Welsh to improve your academic skills.

An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence

of your Welsh language ability for future employers, namely the WJEC and Coleg Cymraeg's Welsh Language

Certificate.

Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch

of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

To learn more about the above and all the opportunities available to you through the medium of Welsh, visit Academi Hywel Teifi's undergraduate pages.

* For the majority of scholarships, the standard benchmark is completing at least 40 credits per year through the

medium of Welsh.

Meet Your Lecturers

Our degrees are taught by experts, who have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to our students.

You can find out more about our academic expertise on International Relations and American Studies staff pages.

Tuition Fees

3 Year Full Time

September 2026

4 Year Full Time With a Year Abroad

4 Year Full Time With a Year in Industry

Fees for full time undergraduate UK students may increase in subsequent years of study in line with the maximum regulated fee level set by the Welsh Government

Fees for full time Undergraduate International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's

scholarships and bursaries

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually.

For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus

Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)

Purchase of books or texts

Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your

personal tutor, the Centre for Academic

Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas

such as:

Academic writing

Maths and statistics

Critical thinking

Time management

Digital skills

Presentation skills

Note taking

Revision, memory and exam techniques

English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability,

mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have

Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and

requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

We care about our students and our aim is to ensure that you achieve the best degree classification. We have a personal mentoring system where you will be allocated a personal tutor. We also have an “open door” policy where our academic teachers are available to talk to you at any time about any queries or academic concerns you may have.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

To learn more about study abroad, visit our

Go Global webpages. Enrolment on a

programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year

abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection

process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement,

you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme

without a semester or year abroad.

International summer programmes are open to students from all schools.

Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as

Sri Lanka, South Korea, Fiji, Bali, the USA and across Europe. For more

information about programmes and eligibility visit our

Summer Abroad webpages.

This is a degree that supports you to study in the United States or Canada. You will have the opportunity to study at a wide variety of institutions, to take new courses, and will benefit from the wider opportunity to travel, undertake internships and experience your subject first hand.

How to Apply

Apply now – UK, EU and international students.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application

deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can

find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Additional Information

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BA Politics

International Relations with Modern Languages, BA

BA International Relations

BA Politics and International Relations

BA Politics and International Relations with a Year Abroad

BA Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

BA International Relations and History

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Global Opportunities

Our students have the option of study abroad. Our 4-year programmes offer a full-year abroad and we also offer a semester abroad for 3-year degrees, during your second year from January to May in Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA. The semester abroad is an exchange programme so you will pay UK tuition fees and be responsible for accommodation and living costs at the semester partner institution.

International summer programmes are open to students from all colleges. Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as China, Zambia, South Korea, Japan, Canada and across Europe. For more information about programmes and eligibility visit our Summer Abroad webpages.

To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages.

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Guaranteed offers*

Programme Disclaimer

The University will seek to deliver each course in accordance with the

descriptions set out in the relevant course web pages at the time of

application. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable

or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision,

either before or after enrolment.

The information below is for students starting their courses in 2016 or

The University will not normally make very substantial changes to courses

(for example, a change to the course title, significant restructuring,

substantial change in course content, or the introduction of a progression

hurdle) which would impact on students who have already begun their course.

In exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for the University to make

such a change after acceptance of a place by an offer-holder. This will not

happen less than 5 months before enrolment. The offer-holder will be

notified of the change and will have the opportunity to withdraw their

application and apply elsewhere.

Other changes could be made to course content, study location, delivery and

teaching provision because of developments in the relevant subject,

enhancements in teaching or assessment practice, requirements of external

accreditation processes, changes in staffing, resource constraints or

changes in the availability of facilities. Such changes will take account of

the reasonable expectations of prospective and current students.

Summary of Changes

Date of Change

Course Title(s)

International Relations and American Studies,

International Relations and American Studies

With a Year Abroad,

With a Year in Industry,

Material Change

There are minor changes to this programme's structure that impact whether modules are compulsory and optional.

Reason for Change

These updates are designed to make your learning experience more streamlined, relevant and manageable.

If you have questions about this change, please contact curriculumreview@swansea.ac.uk.

International Relations and American Studies with a Year Abroad, BA (Hons)

International Relations and American Studies with a Year in Industry, BA (Hons)

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