BA (Hons) International Relations at Swansea University

Programme overview

A flexible three-year degree examining the impact of a globalised world on states and citizens, international cooperation and conflict, global human rights, and the role of power, norms, institutions and legal frameworks. It is one of a select group of UK programmes offering British Parliamentary Studies modules, including a visit to the House of Commons.

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

What you will study

Year 1 compulsory modules include International Relations in a Changing World, Interpreting Politics: The Faces and Uses of Power, Being a Social Scientist and War and Peace in the Nuclear Age. Year 2 includes Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations, Global Justice and Human Rights in the Age of Globalisation and International Security; the final year includes Researching Politics, a dissertation and Senedd Cymru/The Welsh Parliament.

Career pathways

Graduates enter education, government and politics, humanitarian organisations, business, media and public relations, and law and public services, with employers including Westminster Forum Projects, the Labour Party and Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer for the 3-year degree and the year abroad and year in industry routes: A-level BBB-BCC; BTEC DDM-DMM; UK Access to HE in Humanities or Social Sciences with a minimum of 21 Distinctions and 24 Merits at Level 3; T Levels Merit; mixed qualifications 120 UCAS tariff points from the three highest qualifications; International Baccalaureate 32 points. Classroom-based foundation year route: A-level CDD-DDD; BTEC MMP; T Levels Pass; mixed qualifications 80 UCAS tariff points from the three highest qualifications; International Baccalaureate 26 points.

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 classroom-based foundation year, a year abroad or a year in indust

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