Program Overview

Politics and International Relations

Course Overview

Study the workings of society and governments around the globe, including questions of power, justice, democracy, empire, security, revolution, activism, and identity.

Course Options

• 3 years full-time
• 4 years with foundation year
• 4 years with placement

Key Facts

• STUDY OPTIONS: 3 years
• START DATES: September
• LOCATION: Cambridge
• ENTRY: UCAS code: L203
• FEES:
  • £9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
  • £16,700 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

Teaching and Assessment

Year 1

• Introduction to Politics and International Relations
• Global Affairs
• A History of Now
• Political Thought
• Into ARU

Year 2

• From World War to Cold War
• Give Peace a Chance: Fundamental Issues and Perspectives on Contemporary International Relations
• Researching Society and Culture
• Ruskin Module (15 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • The United States in the 20th Century
  • Intoxicants and Intoxication
  • The British Empire
  • International Human Rights Law
  • Welfare State to European State: Britain
  • Mobilities and Migration
  • Ireland and the Irish after Independence

Year 3

• Undergraduate Major Project
• Hitler to the Hashtag: Political Communication in Peace and War
• From Theory to Practice International Relations in the 21st Century
• A Global History of Government and Society
• Research Communication
• Optional modules:
  • Gender and Sexuality in Britain
  • Race, Racism and Ethnic Identity
  • From Communism to Consumerism: Russia since 1917
  • Global Feminisms
  • From Workhouses to Universal Credit: The Past, Present and Future of the British Welfare State
  • The Era of Thatcher and Blair
  • The Making of Modern Media
  • Comparative and Global Criminal Justice
  • Counter-Terrorism Policing
  • Organised Crime

Entry Requirements

• 96 UCAS Tariff points
• 3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English
• If English is not your first language, you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification

Fees and Paying for University

• Tuition fees for UK students: £9,535 (2025/26)
• Tuition fees for international students: £16,700 (2025/26)
• Living costs: £7,000-£9,000 per year

Student Experience

• Our Labour History Research Unit considers how the Labour government might deal with issues like home and foreign policy by exploring their historical approach.
• Graduate Natasha now works on Irish policy control with the UK Civil Service. Find out what inspired her to get involved in politics, and how our course helped her.

Facilities

• Award-winning learning facilities
• Extensive library and IT resources
• Access to many more resources, including libraries, archive, museums and political clubs in Cambridge

Lecturers

• Dr Richard Carr, Associate Professor

Careers

• Local government
• Charities
• NGOs
• European and international organisations and agencies
• Public service
• Criminal justice system
• Future energy policy and planning
• Security
• Negotiation and peacekeeping
• Communication and media

Employability and Personal Career Development

• Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability
• Opportunities to develop skills and abilities through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules
• Employability and Careers Service offers expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile

Alumni

• Ana Serrano, BA (Hons) Politics graduate
• Natasha, graduate working on Irish policy control with the UK Civil Service

Placement Year Available

• Option to take a placement year as part of this course
• Great chance to get hands-on experience in the industry you want to work in

Life in Cambridge

• Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge
• Cambridge is often described as the perfect student city

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