International Relations and Politics BA (Hons)
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
International Relations and Politics BA (Hons)
Becoming aware of the world that surrounds us and how we are connected.
Current, relevant and inspiring, this International Relations and Politics degree offers an exciting opportunity to study the political dimensions of life around the world, recognising the connections between people, locales, ideas and problems.
What opportunities will you have on an International Relations and Politics degree?
We provide an extensive range of modules, from Foreign Policy to Terrorism and Active Citizens, allowing you to explore politics from all angles. We work with you to explore contemporary challenges that are covered in various modules and from different angles; for example, environmental politics and climate change, the place of contemporary Britain in a changing world, or the role of the media in shaping our understanding of the world, social and political problems, and the political responses to them.
Democracy and Active Citizens
The theme of “democracy and active citizens” encourages you to ask why some states become democratic and others don’t, how politics works in non-democratic countries, what democracy is and whether we still need it, how democracy is practised at local and regional level, and how individuals and groups (active citizens) face today’s crisis of democracy.
War, Conflict and Security
The theme of “war, conflict and security” investigates why states go to war with each other and how they manage to avoid doing so, how we engage with security challenges within and beyond our own borders, how war and conflict are regulated through international organisations, and what type of challenges we face in a world in which war between states has become rare.
Nation, State, & Identity
Nation, State & Identity is the unifying theme for both international politics and domestic politics as you will analyse a range of institutions from the local to the international, and ways of managing social and political problems beyond traditional centralised, top-down approaches of organising.
Why choose Northumbria to study International Relations and Politics?
Taking an integrated approach to academic theory and applying it to real world problems, this International Relations and Politics course will provide you with the tools to make a difference in your personal and professional life.
Top School: Politics and International Relations at Northumbria is ranked in the Top 20 in the UK by the Times Good University Guide 2026.
Experiential Learning: At Northumbria, every undergraduate course guarantees real-world experience.
Course Information
UCAS Code
L2L2
Level of Study
Undergraduate
Mode of Study
3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
School
Humanities and Social Sciences
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2026 or September 2027
Fees
Fee Information
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Explore ideas, drive change.
Delve Deeper / Discover more about life at Northumbria
Staff / Meet the Team
When it comes to making sure you learn from the best, our staff are second to none.
Dr Felix Bender
Dr Siobhan Daly
Dr Siobhan Daly is an Associate Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and is part of the International Relations and Politics subject group.
Read More
Prof Claire Nicole Sutherland
Research / Social Sciences
Research in Social Sciences is supported by one specialist Research Centre, the Centre for Crime and Policing, and 7 research clusters: Critical security and foreign policy; Environmental justice; Power and intersecting inequalities; Crime, harm and ethics; Offenders with multiple and complex needs; Gender-based violence; Creative methodologies.
Career Edge / Added Experiences
You can boost your CV and develop your experience whilst studying at Northumbria.
Careers and Employment / Develop
From first year through to final year and beyond graduation, we are here to help.
Book an Open Day / Experience International Relations and Politics BA (Hons)
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study International Relations and Politics. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
Entry Requirements 2026/27
Standard Entry
96 to 112 Tariff Points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions and we understand that every applicant’s circumstances can be different, which is why we take a flexible approach when making offers for this course. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our university regardless of personal circumstances or background. Typically, offers range from 96 to 112 UCAS tariff points, but we’ll assess your individual circumstances and potential when reviewing your application
To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
Fees and Funding 2026/27 Entry
UK Fee in Year 1: £9,790
* In relation to fees for UK students: £9,790 is the tuition fee. The remaining fees relate to the International Soccer Academy, and accommodation fees. Tuition fees in the academic year 2027/28* will be £10,050. Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap. *if your course is longer than one year
* Fees subject to annual increases over the course of the period of study. Students will be liable for payment of any/all tuition fees which are not sponsored by their employer or other third party.
International Fee in Year 1:
This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.
Tuition fees in the academic year 2027/28* will be £10,050. Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.
Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options available for UK and International applicants for 26/27 entry.
ADDITIONAL COSTS
During your course you are likely to incur travel costs if you decide to do the optional work experience module IR5006 as part of your programme. You may also incur costs for accommodation. Costs are highly variable depending on the location and duration of your chosen placement.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
else
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
International Relations and Politics BA (Hons)
Any Questions?
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Accessibility and Student Inclusion
Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.
We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.
You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need.
We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:
