Aston University, Birmingham
Aston Triangle
Birmingham
B4 7ET
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Undergraduate Admissions
Email:ugadmissions@aston.ac.uk
Phone:0121 204 3030
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Course summary
Ready to become a critical-thinker and unlock global insights to help shape the world's future?
Course description
Studying BSc (Hons) Politics with International Relations at Aston University will equip you with a profound understanding of global politics and international dynamics, fostering critical thinking and practical skills.
You will have the opportunity to explore major political topics going beyond the UK and Europe, covering Africa, Asia and North America. You will not only study the traditional subjects of the discipline, including security, political economy or democracy, but also have the chance to investigate exciting topics such as gender, religion, sports or technology.
You will delve into international politics, analysing the dynamic political, economic and social forces that shape policies, cause conflicts and facilitate cooperation. This exploration will deepen your understanding of complex global interactions and prepare you for informed decision-making in a rapidly evolving world.
You will be taught by research-active staff who are experts in their respective fields and who constantly update their teaching based on the newest research findings.
Opting for the placement year will provide you with invaluable real-world experience, boosting your employability. Whether you choose to work, teach or study abroad, you will benefit from Aston University’s extensive global connections with employers, schools and universities.
Key benefits
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Gold standard teaching – Aston University was awarded Gold – the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)
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Safe in our hands – Politics at Aston University was ranked 5th in the UK for ‘graduate prospects – on track’ (Complete University Guide, 2023).
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Earn more – Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)
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Experiential learning – Experience learning by doing with innovative modules like the award-winning EuroSim module
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Our academics are clear – 96% of students felt that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (Politics programmes; National Student Survey, 2023)
Course details
Modules
For more information on this course and a full list of modules, visit the course page: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/politics-international-relations-bsc
Assessment method
For more information on the methods of assessment on this course, visit the course page: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/politics-international-relations-bsc
If the course start date is before 31 December 2025 and you have already submitted an application, this course can be added. If you have not submitted an application, contact the university or college direct.
If the course start date is between 01 January and 31 July 2026 click the 'Apply' button to make an application.
Apply by
29 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- L290
- Institution code:
- A80
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Aston University, Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- L290
- Institution code:
- A80
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.
Course optionsEntry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBC - BCC
BBC: Standard offer //
BCC: If the student is also presenting either Core Maths or Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) grade B OR if eligible for Contextual offer (Please see this webpage for more details -
https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
The University also accepts the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/BTEC Level 3 Diploma for entry onto degree programmes, provided that they are studied in combination with other qualifications that are equivalent to three full A2 Levels.
Access to HE Diploma - D: 15 credits M: 30 credits
We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3. You must obtain a minimum of 15 Distinctions and the rest must be at Merit or Distinction. Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 29 points
5,5,4 in 3 Higher level subjects
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English Language/Literature and GCSE Mathematics are required at minimum grade C/4.
T Level - D
The following T levels are accepted qualifications for this course:
- Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction;
- Digital Production, Design and Development;
- Education and Childcare.
All applications are considered on an individual basis and the whole application is reviewed carefully, including previous and predicted qualifications, experience, reference and your motivation to study the course. Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard. However, any offer made will not be lower than stated above. Entry onto our Foundation Year maybe offered as an alternative to the degree course if lower entry grades are achieved.
Aston University welcomes applications from students with a wide range of qualifications from the UK and overseas, including combinations of qualifications. If your qualifications are not listed here and you wish to check whether they meet the entry requirements for this course, please contact the university.
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in. Details of eligibility criteria can be found on our website.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
- Data from:
- This course
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- AAA
- Highest grades
- CCD
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
How do you compare?
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| International | £21500 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
UK students (Home Undergraduate):
The annual tuition fee for the programme commencing in academic year 2025/26 will be £9,535 (subject to the passing of legislation implementing the Government’s policy to increase the maximum tuition fee from £9,250, payable by Home Undergraduate students on full-time courses). The fee for the placement year is £1,250.
International students (Overseas Undergraduate):
The annual tuition fee for the programme commencing in academic year 2025/26 will be £21,500. The fee for the placement year is £2,500.
All students:
The duration of your programme is set out above and you will be responsible for the payment of an annual tuition fee in each of these years. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually in accordance with its Terms and Conditions (aston.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-12/Terms_and_Conditions_of_Enrolment_2025-6.pdf) and subject at all times to the maximum tuition fee caps set by Government from time to time. This means that your total tuition fee may be higher than stated above, but your total tuition fee will never increase by more than 6% year on year. An increase in fees will allow the University to cover the increased costs of delivering the course and ensure it is able to maintain high standards of education and facilities.
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