Politics and International Relations (Including Placement Year)

取得日期：未有保存

https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/UG01124/2/BSc-Politics-and-International-Relations?startdate=27-10&coursecode=L224

Award of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education with 554-544 from three best subjects including 4 in English.

If you are worried about meeting our offer level or have any questions, please contact our admissions team on

ugquery@essex.ac.uk who will be happy to discuss your options.

BSc (Hons) Politics and International Relations Degree | University of Essex

Skip to content

Search Essex

Our next Open Day - 17 October 2026

Whether you're just starting to explore university options, or are an offer holder looking to narrow down choices, our Open Days are for you. Book your place and find out more about us.

Welcome and Orientation 2026-27

We can't wait to meet our new students. As we get closer to the start of the new academic year, we'll be adding lots more information about events, activities and getting started at Essex.

Clearing 2026

Course Finder

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

Postgraduate study

Masters courses

Research degrees

Doctoral and Postdoctoral College

Postgraduate events

Search postgraduate degrees

CPD and short courses

Fees and funding

Fees and funding overview

Scholarships and bursaries

Support with the cost of living

International students

Apprenticeships

Study abroad

Study online

Enhance your skills

Find a course

Life at Essex

Our campuses

Colchester campus

Loughton campus

Accommodation

Essex Sport

Memberships

Fitness classes

Essex Rebels

Facilities

Essex Sport Arena

Performance sport and scholarships

Child activities and holiday clubs

Student community

Careers and employability

Religion and faith

Student support

Chat to our staff and students

Our research

Centres and Institutes

Groups, areas and networks

Research projects

Research Excellence Framework (REF)

Research blog

Repository

Showcase

Find an academic or research area

About Essex

Our University

Our key statistics

Our history

Faculties

Schools and departments

Key dates

Global engagement

Our values

Our Manifesto

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Academic freedom

Modern slavery and human trafficking

Governance

Our governance structure

Executive Committee

Vice-Chancellor

Regulations

Policies

University strategy

Our University strategy

Executive Summary

Key performance indicators

Sustainability

Wivenhoe Park

We Are Essex

Support us

What's on

Unjust Orders and the Civil Service

Wednesday 14 October

2pm - 3pm

Colchester Campus

Under 18s mixer

2pm - 4pm

Graduation

Event series

Host an event at Essex

Venue hire with Event Essex

Wivenhoe House Hotel

Latest news

Essex cements top 30 ranking in Complete University Guide

£1.6m tennis fund serves up new opportunities for Essex students

Essex blog

You don't have to study sport to be part of sport at Essex

Michelle Rushbrooke

EFiC 2026 Conference in Banking and Corporate Finance

Meryem Oncul Oral, Salma Al Attaf

Student blog

Staff blog

Open days

Campus tours

How to get here

Visitor information

Visit virtually

Search query

University of Essex homepage

BSc (Hons) Politics and International Relations

Undergraduate Course

(Including Placement Year)

Start date

October 2026

October 2027

Study mode

Full Time

Course options

+ Year Abroad

+ Placement Year

Ask a question

Get a prospectus

Overview

Course content

Entry requirements

What's next?

Open Day Registration

How to apply

The details

Politics and International Relations (Including Placement Year)

UCAS code:

Start date:

Study mode:

Full-time

Duration:

Location:

Based in:

Government

What is the BSc Politics and International Relations?

The BSc Politics and International Relations is a three-year degree, with an optional extra year for a placement or study abroad.

You’ll explore the political systems, global dynamics and research approaches that shape international and domestic life - from institutions and decision-making to power, conflict and cooperation. Through critical theory, case studies and applied analytical work, you’ll build the insight and practical skills to interpret data, understand complex political and international issues, and engage confidently with real-world policy and political decision-making.

Why this course

The BSc Politics and International Relations trains you to analyse the forces shaping global power and governance. You’ll study foreign affairs, public policy, elections, negotiation, conflict, terrorism, and international cooperation - exploring how political systems operate across borders, institutions, and ideologies.

Learn from leading academics in a department where research informs governments, international organisations, and NGOs, and discover how evidence drives real-world decisions. You’ll get hands-on with political data - analysing, interpreting, and applying it through independent research and collaborative projects - giving you the practical and analytical skills that employers in policy, research, and consultancy value highly.

You can also choose to add an extra year on placement or studying abroad, applying your skills in professional or international contexts and broadening your global outlook.

This course will equip you with the analytical, quantitative and research skills needed to investigate political behaviour, global systems and international challenges. You’ll develop the skills required to interpret data, evaluate evidence and apply theory to real-world political and international issues - developing the confidence and practical expertise that supports early careers in a wide range of sectors, or progression to postgraduate study.

Who should apply

Students curious about how political systems, data, and global trends interact

Future analysts, policymakers, diplomats, or researchers aiming to make informed decisions in complex environments

Learners who enjoy evidence-based thinking and want to develop both critical and quantitative skills

Those looking for a degree that bridges political theory with practical, data-led insight

What you’ll learn

Political systems and power: Examine how governments, parties, and institutions operate and influence policy

International relations: Analyse diplomacy, conflict, and cooperation in a global context

Global challenges: Study issues like climate change, inequality, and migration through an analytical lens

Political ideas and theory: Explore philosophies of democracy, justice, and governance that shape global politics

Research and data methods: Gain hands-on experience with quantitative and qualitative techniques, using real-world data to understand political behaviour and outcomes

Your learning experience

Optional modules: Tailor your degree through modules in global security, environmental politics, or political economy

Optional study abroad year: Broaden your global outlook by studying at one of our international partner universities through the Study Abroad programme

Optional placement year: Build your CV and gain standout professional experience through Placements at Essex

Applied learning: Take part in research projects, data workshops, and political simulations

Specialist facilities: Access advanced data software and the university’s behavioural science laboratory for experimental research

Careers and outcomes

A BSc in Politics and International Relations can prepare you for careers in:

Government and public service: Civil Service, policy evaluation, data analysis, or advisory roles in national and local government

International organisations: United Nations, NATO, EU institutions, and global development programmes focused on governance and policy impact

NGOs and advocacy: Research and policy roles in human rights, climate change, conflict prevention, and international development

Research and consultancy: Political risk analysis, policy evaluation, data-driven research in think tanks, and strategy consultancies

Media and communications: Political data journalism, policy research, public affairs, and strategic communication

Employers of graduates from this course

Graduates from this course have progressed to roles in national and international organisations, including:

UK Government

Westminster Forum Projects

End Violence Against Women Coalition

Ministry of Defence

Meet the researchers

Professor Kristian Gleditsch

Regius Professor of Political Science

Department of Government, University of Essex

Recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for his outstanding contribution to political science, Regius Professor Kristian Gleditsch explores how wars start and end, how democracy shapes stability, and how global connections influence conflict. His research combines advanced data analysis with cross-national evidence to uncover the structural causes of violence and cooperation. His pioneering work on conflict diffusion showcases how quantitative research can be used to solve some of the world’s most urgent global challenges.

Why choose Essex?

2nd in UK for research outputs in politics and international studies (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021)

9th in the UK for International Relations (Guardian University Guide 2026)

Our alumni include Members of Parliament, a Speaker of the House of Commons, a Home Secretary, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and many more leaders shaping global affairs

Not sure this course is for you?

Explore all politics undergraduate degrees at Essex

Explore all international relations undergraduate degrees at Essex

Browse all degrees at the University of Essex

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

What this means

You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.

Core with Options

You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.

Compulsory

You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

Compulsory with Options

You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

Optional

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term

SP: Spring term

SU: Summer term

FY: Full year

AP: Autumn and Spring terms

PS: Spring and Summer terms

AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Placement Year

Final Year

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Introduction to Politics

(30 CREDITS)

What is “Politics”? How have people conceived of political analysis, the state, laws, wars and political parties, across cultures and over time? Gain an understanding of essential concepts in the study of politics and explore the economic, social and intellectual trends that have made democracy possible.

View Introduction to Politics on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Introduction to International Relations

(15 CREDITS)

This module offers a formative background in the study of international politics. We seek to provide the essential tools and theoretical concepts used to analyse international politics so that a better understanding of specific historical events or contemporary issues is given.

View Introduction to International Relations on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Contemporary Topics in International Relations

Why do states sometimes go to war? What conditions can promote peace and international stability? When are states able to form cooperative agreements to promote trade, combat terrorism, or address climate change? Explore issues in international relations which help address complicated questions concerning cooperation and conflict between countries.

View Contemporary Topics in International Relations on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Thinking Like a Social Scientist

This modules provides a foundation for the systematic study of politics and international relations by introducing students to the tools, methods, and approaches used by social scientists to understand political and and social phenomena.

View Thinking Like a Social Scientist on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Authority and Morality

Is the advice of historic political writers like Machiavelli still relevant for politicians today? Do we have a moral obligation to obey the law even when the law is unjust? Would it be preferable to live in anarchy? And where does the idea of human rights come from? In GV151 we study some classical texts in the Western tradition in order to understand how moral and political ideas have shaped the institutions that govern our lives today, and how they can help us make sense of current politics.

View Authority and Morality on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: OPTIONAL

Options from list

COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY

Career Portfolio

(0 CREDITS)

Develop the employability, citizenship, and life skills to successfully compete in the graduate job market after graduation. You complete a portfolio of employability skills and develop a critical understanding of the world of work.

View Career Portfolio on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

International Relations: Theories and Approaches

How should we approach relationships between different countries?

Explore different theoretical lenses through which the world can be viewed, including bargaining theory, liberal institutional approaches, and emotion-based, psychological models of the behavior of international political actions.

View International Relations: Theories and Approaches on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Conflict Analysis

Understand the evolving field of conflict resolution through exploring the causes and effects of armed conflict across the world, and scrutinising the theory and practice of how this can be managed peacefully.

View Conflict Analysis on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Quantitative Political Analysis

How can we answer political questions using statistical data? Learn how to find relevant research designs and questions in order to use quantitative methods in political research, assisting you in your other modules and improving your job prospects.

View Quantitative Political Analysis on our Module Directory

International Organisations

Why do International Institutions (IIs) have authority in international affairs? Why does the state delegate certain tasks to IIs rather than dealing with these outside of an institution? How effective are IIs in socialising states to behave in certain ways? Explore the theories, methods and case studies which allow you to analyse and assess the role of IIs.

View International Organisations on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: OPTIONAL

Option(s) from list

(60 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

(120 CREDITS)

This module enables you to undertake a full placement year with an external Placement Provider. During the placement, you will complete a number of assessments which enable you to utilise and develop the links between the knowledge and skills developed in their academic course and the work-based skills developed in carrying out their placement role.

View Placement Year on our Module Directory

Advanced Quantitative Political Analysis

Understand how different statistical and experimental methods can be used to answer questions about political phenomena. You evaluate the assumptions of standard statistical tests and the linear regression model, consider alternatives to those, and learn about causal inference.

View Advanced Quantitative Political Analysis on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

Capstone Project

COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL

COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL

Placement

On a placement year you gain relevant work experience within an external business or organisation, giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing you with key contacts within the industry. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.

Year abroad

On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.

Teaching

Teaching is arranged to allow a lot of freedom in how you organise your learning experience

Lab sessions allow you to improve your technical research skills

Opportunities to gain work experience on placements and internships

Undergraduate students in the Department of Government generally have a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar for each module every week or a two-hour seminar (in the case of smaller modules), but there are variations in place depending on the module.

Assessment

Assessed through a combination of written coursework, presentations, class participation, and end-of-year examinations

If you undertake a placement, you will prepare an assessed report on this experience

UK entry requirements

128 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.

IB: 32 points in the IB Diploma or 128 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects.

We accept A-levels, AAQs, BTECs, Access to HE Diploma, T-levels and most other qualifications that hold UCAS tariff points. Acceptability of some non A-level qualifications (such as BTECs) may depend on the subject studied and units taken.

You can calculate your UCAS tariff points on the UCAS website.

Whilst International A-levels and BTECs aren't on the UCAS tariff calculator, we assign them the same tariff points as their UK counterparts.

Don't meet the entry requirements?

We know everyone's journey is different. If your achieved or predicted grades don’t match our entry requirements, you have a non-traditional educational background, or you're returning to study as a mature student, we'd still encourage you to apply. We review every application individually and may be able to offer you a place on this course, or an alternative route such as a foundation year.

Find out more about applying, personal statements, references, visas, deferred entry, extenuating circumstances, and support for mature students on our undergraduate application information page.

Contextual Offers:

We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. We make Contextual Offers to applicants from underrepresented groups residing in the UK. Our Contextual Offers policy outlines the full eligibility criteria.

120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

AFGHANISTAN

ANTIGUA AND BARBUADA

ARGENTINA

AUSTRALIA

AZERBAIJAN

BANGLADESH

BARBADOS

BELARUS (BYELORUSSIA)

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

BOTSWANA

BULGARIA

BURKINA FASO

CAMBODIA (KAMPUCHEA, KHMER R)

CAMEROON

CAPE VERDE ISLANDS

CENTRAL AFRICAN REP

COLOMBIA

CONGO (DEM REB, ZAIRE)

COSTA RICA

CZECH REPUBLIC

DJIBOUTI

DOMINICA

DOMINICAN REP

EAST TIMOR

EL SALVADOR

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

ETHIOPIA (ABYSSINIA)

GIBRALTAR

GILBERT ISLANDS (KIRIBATI)

GUATEMALA

GUIANA, FRENCH

GUINEA BISSAU

HONDURAS

HONG KONG

INDONESIA

IRAN (ISLAMIC REP)

IRELAND, REP

IVORY COAST

KAZAKHSTAN

KOREA SOUTH

KYRGYZSTAN (KIRGIZIA)

LIECHTENSTEIN

LITHUANIA

LUXEMBOURG

MADAGASCAR (MALAGASY REP)

MALAYSIA

MALDIVE ISLANDS

MARSHALL ISLANDS

MAURITANIA

MAURITIUS

MONGOLIA, OUTER

MONTENEGRO

MONTSERRAT

MOZAMBIQUE

MYANMAR (formerly Burma)

NETHERLANDS (HOLLAND)

NEW ZEALAND

NICARAGUA

NORTH MACEDONIA

OMAN (MUSCAT AND OMAN)

PAKISTAN

PALESTINE

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

PARAGUAY

PHILIPPINES

PORTUGAL (MADEIRA, AZORES)

SAMOA (WESTERN)

SAN MARINO

SAUDI ARABIA

SEYCHELLES

SIERRA LEONE

SINGAPORE

SLOVAKIA

SLOVENIA

SOLOMON ISLANDS

SOMALI REPUBLIC

SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH GEORGE & STH SANDWICH IS

SOUTH SUDAN

SRI LANKA (CEYLON)

ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

ST. LUCIA

ST. VINCENT

SWAZILAND

SWITZERLAND

TAJIKISTAN

TANZANIA

THAILAND

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

TURKMENISTAN

TUVALU, ALSO ELLICE ISLANDS

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

UNITED STATES

UZBEKISTAN

VENEZUELA

VIETNAM, SOC REP

YEMEN (PDR,ADEN,SOCOTRA)

ZIMBABWE

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English

IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in an equivalent test that we accept.

Details of English language requirements and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.

Pre-sessional English courses

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

If you’re an international student, but do not meet the academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College

Home/UK fee

£10,050 per year

International fee

£23,750 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:

Placement year

20% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Full year abroad

15% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Single term abroad

Standard tuition fee

Scholarships and financial support

There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

Fees and funding guide

Home/UK fees and funding information

International fees and funding information

What's next

Open Days

Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer.

You have the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation

find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more

meet our students and staff

Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.

2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday 17 October 2026 - October Open Day

Saturday 7 November 2026 - November Open Day

Find out more

Applying

Applications for our full-time undergraduate courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Applications are online at: www.ucas.com. Full details on this process can be obtained from the UCAS website in the how to apply section.

Our UK students, and some of our EU and international students, who are still at school or college, can apply through their school. Your school will be able to check and then submit your completed application to UCAS. Our other international applicants (EU or worldwide) or independent applicants in the UK can also apply online through UCAS Apply.

The UCAS code for our University of Essex is ESSEX E70. The individual campus codes for our Loughton and Southend Campuses are ‘L' and ‘S' respectively.

You can find further information on how to apply, including information on transferring from another university, applying if you are not currently at a school or college, and applying for readmission on our How to apply and entry requirements page.

If you receive an undergraduate offer to study with us in October 2026 and live in the UK, you will receive an email invitation to book onto one of our Open Days. These events provide the opportunity to meet your department, join interesting taster sessions, tour our campus and accommodation, and chat to current students. You can visit our Open Days event page for more information, including terms and conditions.

Visit Colchester Campus

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Virtual tours

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

Chat to us

Got a question about this course? Chat with Professor Natasha Lindstaedt from the Department of Government.

Chat with Natasha

Visit the home of politics at Essex

Meet the lecturers, discover our famous alumni, and learn about undergraduate student life in the Department of Government.

Explore undergraduate study in the Department of Government

Find your course

Explore all courses in Clearing at Essex

Apply online

Complete an online Clearing application

See the Clearing entry requirements for all courses

Book an open day

Reserve your place on a campus visit

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and

Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

ESSEX ARE YOU?

Sign up for a prospectus

Explore our courses

Undergraduate study

Short courses and CPD

Summer Schools

Student accommodation

Loughton Campus

Careers and Employability

RESEARCH

Research excellence

Research showcase

Media requests

Research institutes and centres

About us

Departments

Contact us

How to pay your fees

Students

Business

CONTACT US

General - enquiries@essex.ac.uk

Undergraduate - admit@essex.ac.uk

Postgraduate - pgadmit@essex.ac.uk

University of Essex

Colchester CO4 3SQ

Cookie settings

Disclaimer

Accessibility

Manage communication preferences

Our privacy statements

Making a complaint

Our transparency return

CONNECT WITH US

University of Essex Instagram

University of Essex TikTok

University of Essex Youtube

University of Essex Facebook

University of Essex LinkedIn

University of Essex Twitter

University of Essex Weibo

© 2026 University of Essex. All rights reserved

UNRVLD Digital Agency website

請查看下方完整入學要求原文，或向院校確認。