Program Overview

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BSc Politics and International Relations (L200)

2026 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

At the University of Bristol, our vision is ambitious and bold.

Our course explores power, who exercises it, for whom, how it is distributed, and with what consequences. You will gain insight into the politics of different countries, regions and systems, as well as global and local political issues and movements.

Bristol is home to prominent scholars and many of our academics are global leaders in areas of political study, including international relations, security, gender, political philosophy, international development, peace- building, environmental politics and the politics of Latin America, Africa, South and East Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the USA and Britain.

You will be joining a vibrant academic community. We provide regular workshops, guest speakers, reading groups and social events, as well as support for the student societies associated with this programme.

Skills development is woven throughout your programme and you will graduate with valuable transferable skills that ensure you are well placed to pursue your career goals.

Learn how the political sphere operates, specialise in areas that interest you and go on to make a real difference in the world.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: AAA
• A-level contextual offer: ABB
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 3 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course

Application method

• UCAS (Code: L200)

Location

• Clifton campus

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £24800 per year, international students
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

The first year includes compulsory units to ensure a solid grounding in the discipline. You will have greater choices as you progress through the course.

The final year provides an exceptional range of units based on staff research interests and expertise.

Mandatory units in the first and second years will equip you with the necessary skills to succeed in your dissertation in your final year. You will be assigned an individual academic supervisor who will support your sociological research and writing on a topic of your choice.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• AAA including an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

A-level contextual offer

• ABB including an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

BTEC

• DDD in any essay-based Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

European Baccalaureate

• 85% overall, with 8.5 in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AA including an essay-based subject, and Standard Higher: AAAAB. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits (with 9 at Distinction) in a single essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Politics and International Relations can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Applicants must also meet these requirements

GCSE profile requirements

• No specific subjects required.
• Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in all skills
  • GCSE English Language grade C or 4
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level C.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels

69%say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for Politics and International Relations (Full time) at University of Bristol

72%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Politics and International Relations (Full time) at University of Bristol

90%in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for Politics and International Relations (Full time) at University of Bristol

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

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Related courses

See a list of all Politics and International Relations degrees at Bristol, and find more information about the course, assessment and career prospects.

BSc Politics and International Relations with Study Abroad

Related Subjects

Social Policy

Sociology

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