International Relations and History with a Year Abroad

International Relations and History explores globalization, human rights, international and regional politics, peace and conflict, political economy, security studies and strategic studies. You will also cover history through subjects including women’s history and gender, memory of war and conflict, and British social history.

You will spend a year abroad between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experience. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year.

Based at our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, our International Relations and History course at Swansea University is highly regarded by students and employers:

Studying International Relations and History at Swansea you can:

• Choose a level 3 module The National Assembly for Wales Internship and work one morning a week for a semester at the National Assembly in Cardiff
• Participate in workshops and seminars run by guest speakers
• Study Welsh Medium modules

International Relations at Swansea is ranked:
• Top 5 in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
• Top 15 in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2025)

History at Swansea is ranked:
• Top 15 in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2025)

You’ll be taught by History research and teaching experts who specialize in the medieval, early modern and modern history of the UK, Europe and the world.

You have the option of a semester abroad in your second year. You can choose to go East and study in Hong Kong, China or Singapore or West and study in North America.

If you prefer to stay closer to home, and want to enhance your student experience and career prospects, The Swansea University Work Placement Programmes offer three work place programmes: Week of Work (WOW); Swansea paid Internship Programme (SPIN) and Santander Universities Funded Placements.

You can also link up with the Swansea Employability Academy (SEA). It provides a network connecting students with employers. You can attend talks and workshops as well as student led networking events.

Students on this course typically develop excellent oral and writing skills and you will also learn to develop your ideas in a wide range of formats, along with strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Our graduates are truly international and enter careers in a wide range of sectors including:
• Education
• Government and Politics
• Recruitment
• Media and Public Relations
• Heritage and Museums
• Business
• Business and Management
• Law and Public Services

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including:
Making History, Introduction to International Relations, War and Peace in the Nuclear Age, Europe of Extremes, 1789-1989, Politics and the People

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including:
Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations, Globalisation, The Practice of History, Global Justice and Human Rights, America in Crisis: From the Tet Offensive to Trump, The History of Political Thought

You will have the opportunity to spend a year abroad between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experiencing different cultures. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year

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 Senedd Cymru/ Welsh Parliament.

You will also complete a compulsory group work project plus optional modules chosen from a wide variety of subject areas including:
Philosophy, Mental Health and Illness, Capitalism and Justice, Digital Futures, Africa in International Relations, The Story of the USA on Film and Television, 1865-2008, The Rise and Fall of Wales? Politics, Culture and Society, 1847-1939, A History of Sex and Gender

Throughout your undergraduate International Relations and History 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-history/ or get in touch with us at study@swansea.ac.uk