BA (Hons) International Relations and American Studies at Swansea University

Programme overview

A joint honours degree combining International Relations, covering global politics, security, human rights and international cooperation, with American Studies, covering US history, culture and politics. Students can study for a semester or year in the United States and can take a year in industry.

Department: School of Social Sciences | Duration: 3 years full-time (4 years with a year abroad or a year in industry) | Intake: September | Location: Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 compulsory modules include Locating American Studies, International Relations in a Changing World, Forging a Nation: US History and Politics and War and Peace in the Nuclear Age. Year 2 includes Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations and Global Justice and Human Rights in the Age of Globalisation, and final-year options include America and the Bomb and The Cold War.

Career pathways

Graduates enter education, marketing, PR and media, government and policy analysis, research and events management, with employers including Price Waterhouse Coopers, the Civil Service and UK and Welsh political parties.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirement BBB (UCAS tariff 120 points) or equivalent; also accepts International Baccalaureate 32, Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (grade equivalent to A-level), Access to Higher Education and Open University qualifications and Extended Project. Offers follow review of the application, predicted/achieved grades and subjects, reference and personal statement. International applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Full-time undergraduate tuition fee for Welsh, English and other UK students. International fee is shown on the course page. Source

International applicants: GBP 19,950 a year (2026/27). Year 1 fee, 3-year full-time route (same fee for the 4-year routes with a year abroad or year in industry); international fees rise 3% for each subsequent year; UK fees may rise in line with the Welsh Government cap. Source

Intake: September

Duration: 3 years full-time (4 years with a year abroad or a year in industry)

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities