BSc (Hons) Politics and International Relations at University of Plymouth

Programme overview

BSc (Hons) Politics and International Relations is a three-year degree at Plymouth covering democracy, international relations, security and political economy, with student exchange opportunities in countries such as Canada, the USA, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Duration: 3 years full-time (+ optional placement year) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Plymouth, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 covers Discovering World Politics, Democracy and Democratization, Comparative Democracies, International Relations Since 1945 and Theories of International Relations. Year 2 covers Global Governance and the United Nations, Global Political Economy, International Security Studies, the Politics of the European Union and British politics. The final year includes a dissertation and options such as NATO after the Cold War, the Politics of the United States, the Middle East and Mao to Now: the Politics of Modern China.

Career pathways

Graduates have gone on to work at the United Nations, in Parliament and across the Civil Service.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer 104 UCAS points. A levels: 104 UCAS points including a minimum of 2 A levels (general studies considered). BTEC 18-unit Extended Diploma: DMM in any subject. Access to HE Diploma in any subject with at least 33 credits at merit/distinction. International Baccalaureate: 26-28 points including 4 at any Higher Level subject, with English and Maths accepted within (Higher Level 4, Standard Level 5). 14-19 Diplomas accepted on enquiry; other combinations and non-A level qualifications considered. Contextual offers are typically 8 points below the tariff. International applicants must hold a suitable English language qualification.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Full-time Source

International applicants: GBP 18,150 a year (2026/27). Full-time Source

Duration: 3 years

Arts & Humanities