Program Overview

---

Politics and International Relations - Quantitative Methods BSc

Overview

Politics is about power – who has it and who doesn’t. This course explores these issues and asks what the consequences of these power relations may be.

Studying the core areas of comparative politics, political theory, and international relations, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how politics shapes domestic and global issues.

You'll explore different theories and learn how they inform policy decisions, developing critical thinking, analytical, and research skills that are highly valued in various professional fields.

With optional modules, you can tailor your degree to your interests and career goals, exploring specialist areas such as social justice, global security, and secret intelligence.

In addition, this course will help you answer these questions with a focus on developing advanced quantitative methods skills of data collection and analysis.

Graduates from the School of Politics and International Relations go on to work across the private, public, and charitable sectors in a range of roles, from parliamentary assistants and councillors to civil servants, researchers, and data analysts. The additional quantitative skills you will acquire on this BSc course are very sought after on the job market.

Why Choose This Course?

• You’ll undertake advanced quantitative methods training
• Tailor your studies to your career goals through a range of optional modules
• Study abroad in a number of locations
• Placements and internship programme provides valuable work experience, self-confidence and a practical application of your studies
• Active societies related to the study of politics support a student community
• Top 20 in the UK for politics in the Complete University Guide 2025

Key Information

• UCAS Code: LX29
• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Fees: £23,000 per year £9,535*

Course Structure

Year One

• Introduction to Political Data and Analysis
• Introduction to Political Theory
• Political Theory in Practice
• Problems in Global Politics
• Understanding Global Politics
• British Constitution in Crisis
• International Politics of the Asia-Pacific
• Introduction to Comparative Politics

Year Two

• Analysing and Interpreting Political Data
• British Party Politics
• Democracy and its Critics
• Experiencing National Identity
• Global Security
• How Voters Decide
• International Political Economy and Global Development
• International Politics in the 20th Century
• Politics and Public Policy in China
• Social and Global Justice
• The Transformation of European Politics

Year Three

• Advanced Quantitative Methods for Social Science
• Dissertation
• African Politics
• China in Global Politics
• Ideas and Politics in Contemporary Britain
• Left and Right in Contemporary Politics
• The Middle East and the World
• Political Challenges and Multiple Crises in the Global Economy
• Political Parties and Party Systems Around the Globe
• Political Violence
• Race and Politics
• Responding to Extremism: Politics, Power, and Ethics
• Secret Intelligence and International Security
• Special Relationship? Anglo-American Security Relations
• The EU as a Global Power
• The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: The Morality of Capitalism
• The Politics of Ethnic Conflict
• The Politics of Human Rights
• The Politics of Inequality
• The Russo-Ukranian War
• The Struggle for Democracy
• Theories of the Modern State

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching is primarily by lecture and seminar.
• In lectures, all students taking the module are introduced to a topic.
• In seminars, students are sometimes split into smaller groups to discuss prepared work.
• We present you with a variety of different challenges and types of assessment, including exams, essays, verbal presentations and projects.
• Each unit is assessed separately, meaning there are no final exams at the end of your degree.

Careers

• At Nottingham, you will acquire a strong academic foundation and a range of excellent intellectual and transferable skills, such as the ability to study independently, communicate effectively, as well as a number of digital competencies.
• You will leave us with specialist knowledge of international issues and political systems that will enhance your global career prospects.
• Our graduates develop careers across the private, public and charitable sectors.
• Private sector destinations include journalism, broadcasting, television and film production, advertising, marketing and personnel as well as the commercial and financial sectors.
• Some go into party politics as parliamentary assistants, councillors in local government and even MPs; others work for the civil service and in research and data analysis.
• Third-sector careers include working for non-governmental organisations, charities and development agencies.
• Some graduates opt for further study or take vocational qualifications in postgraduate law or teaching.

Entry Requirements

• Qualification: BSc Hons
• Entry Requirements: AAB
• Start Date: September 2026
• UCAS Code: LX29
• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Fees: £9,535*

International Students

• International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK.
• Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses.
• The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses.
• The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases.
• Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Alternative Qualifications

• We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.
• Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • Advanced Diploma
  • BTEC HND/HNC
  • BTEC Extended Diploma

Scholarships and Bursaries

• The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships.
• These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help.
• For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.
• International students
  • We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.
• Home students
  • Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year.
  • Full details can be found on our financial support pages.