Program Overview

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Politics and International Relations BA Honours

Overview

This flexible degree will train you to understand the political ecosystem within and between individual countries – preparing you to succeed in any career that requires the skilled analysis of complex material and the ability to draw clear-minded, evidence-based conclusions.

Quality and Ranking

• Global Top 140 University - QS World University Rankings 2026
• Top 200 for Politics and International Studies - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
• Top 125 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

Modules and Learning

Stage 1

You will gradually develop the critical thinking, research, and communication skills required to study international relations and become an informed and engaged global citizen. You’ll gain an understanding of what it means to compare political systems as well as a solid grounding in the dynamics of the international system and in political thought.

• Compulsory Modules:
  • UK Politics: Westminster and Beyond
  • Key Concepts in International Politics
  • Order and Disorder: The Shaping of the 21st Century
  • Power and Inequality: How to Study Global Politics ... and Change the World
  • Politics of Happiness
  • State, People and Politics: Comparative Politics in a Globalised World

Stage 2

You will build on the skills developed in Stage 1 as you look in greater depth at key issues, organisations, and actors in politics and international relations. You’ll develop critical insight into the relationship between theory and practice and how research methods, including comparative methods, used in the social sciences shape our understanding of both fields.

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Becoming a Political Researcher
  • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Social Issues in Contemporary Political Philosophy
• Optional Modules:
  • Political Geography
  • Career Development for second year students
  • Politics of the Middle East
  • Government and Politics of the USA
  • The Politics and Policy of the European Union
  • Power and Poverty in the Global Economy
  • A Global History of Political Thought
  • Political Violence and the Modern State
  • Politics Work Placement
  • Democracy in Deeply Divided Societies
  • Democracy or Autocracy? What are the differences and how do we analyse them
  • Sex, Gender and Power
  • The Global Politics of Race
  • International Organizations and Diplomacy

Stage 3

In Stage 3, you can begin to specialise in the areas of politics and or international relations that are of interest to you. As a part of this you will undertake a significant piece of independent research that harnesses your subject knowledge and the research skills you’ve developed throughout your degree.

• Optional Modules:
  • Writing for Foreign Policy Makers: Research Project in Foreign Policy Analysis
  • Final Year Dissertation
  • Final Year Project: Semester 1
  • Final Year Project: Semester 2
  • Community-based Research in Politics
  • Public-Policy Placement
  • Geopolitics
  • Career Development for Final Year Students
  • International Organisations and Diplomacy
  • The Ethics of Killing
  • Political Leadership in Britain
  • Who and why votes for far right? Using data for political analysis
  • Political Parties and Elections in the UK
  • Politics of Immigration
  • Politics of Citizenship
  • Gender and Sexuality Politics in the Middle East
  • Public Policy: Theories, Cases, Skills
  • Politics as a Way of Life
  • Power and Policy: Understanding Impact
  • Global Justice and Human Rights

Opportunities

Work Placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

Study Abroad

Experience life in another country as part of your degree. Enrich your experience by studying at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong and the USA, among others. Embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities, and graduate as a globally aware professional.

Facilities and Environment

You'll be based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology's Henry Daysh Building.

Your Future

Upon graduation you'll be able to think critically, assess complex material and data, carry out research, and construct well-informed arguments.

Our graduates have used these skills to progress into careers in politics, economics, and international relations, for employers such as:

• the Houses of Parliament
• HM Treasury
• local government
• the Civil Service
• inter-governmental organisations
• public affairs consultancies

Others have applied their skills with equal success in industries such as:

• media
• law
• business and finance
• management consultancy
• education and academia
• human resources
• marketing

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications.

• A-Level: AAB. At least one A Level from a social science is preferred but not required. General Studies is accepted.
• International Baccalaureate: 34 points with three subjects at Higher level grade 5 or above.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

• Home students: Tuition fees (Year 1) Not Set
• International students: Tuition fees (Year 1) £24,500

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Open Days and Events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year at our on-campus and virtual open days.

How to Apply

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.