International Relations with a Year in Industry

As technology, transport, and a complex international economy make our world smaller, the value of peaceful and cooperative relationships between nations is increasingly important.

International relations are a vital aspect of citizenship in a global society and our three-year BA International Relations degree is one of the most important degree programmes we offer.

This interesting area of study explores globalization and global institutions, development and human rights, International and regional politics, peace and conflict, political economy, security studies and strategic studies and you will learn how power, institutions and laws affect our day-to-day lives.

This course offers you the opportunity to spend a Year In Industry, in the UK or overseas*, giving valuable workplace experience valued by employers.

International Relations at Swansea is ranked:
• 4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
• Top 15 in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2025)
• International relations at Swansea University is ranked in the Top 250 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, you will have the opportunity to:

• Study in one of the select departments in the UK to offer the British Parliamentary Studies modules where you will be taught by our specialist academic staff and members of parliament. You will also visit the House of Commons in London.
• Look behind the headlines to the key players in world politics, exploring important ideas and how can we solve conflict or achieve cooperation.
• Understand the patterns of behaviour between nations, their leaders and corporations, focusing on the interactions and inter-relationships between philosophical, political and economic thought.

International Relations is a flexible degree offering a wide-range of specialist modules that allow you to tailor your future career goals while developing your individual interests:

• You will be taught by innovative experts who have strong national and international links.
• You will have the competitive option in semester one (available for 20 students) of undertaking an internship module with the National Assembly for Wales, working closely with an AM for one day a week.
• You will be able to spend a semester abroad in Hong Kong, Singapore or the USA during the second year of your study to enhance your student experience and career prospects.
• In your final year you have the invaluable opportunity to opt for a place on the Welsh Assembly Placement Scheme

Our graduates are employed all around the world and enter careers including: Education, Government and politics, Humanitarian organisations, Business, Media and public relations plus Law and public services

Our students have also gained employment working for organisations such as: Westminster Forum Projects, Labour Party, Price Waterhouse Coopers

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including:
War and Peace in the Nuclear Age, Living Well and Doing Good - An Introduction to Ethics, Critical Reasoning, Political Philosophy

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including:
Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations, Globalisation, Global Justice and Human Rights, International Security, The Colour Line: Race and Racism in World Politics

You will have the opportunity to spend a year in industry between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experience. The University advocates for only paid placements which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Although securing a placement is the responsibility of the student, we work with a number of organisations who provide a range of placement opportunities. Students are also supported throughout their application journey with advice, guidance and additional resources. If you are unable to secure a placement by the end of the second year of your studies, you will transfer onto the equivalent degree programme.

In your final year you will complete an independent dissertation project or you have the competitive option of undertaking a work placement module with the Sennedd Cymru/ Welsh Parliament.

You will also complete a compulsory group work project plus optional modules chosen from a wide variety of subject areas including:
The Russian Civil War, Philosophy, Capitalism and Justice, Clear and Present Danger: America and Terrorism, Digital Futures, Global Environmental Politics, Africa in International Relations

Throughout your undergraduate International Relations with a Year Abroad BA (Hons) degree, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing.

We offer a variety of assessment methods within our programmes. In addition to traditional examinations and essays, examples of alternative assessment include:

• Reading diary
• Literature/ article review
• Case study
• Critical review

For a full breakdown of course structure and assessment please visit our course page https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/social-sciences/politics-philosophy-international-relations/ba-international-relations/ or get in touch with us at study@swansea.ac.uk