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International Relations and Politics

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 29/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
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Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Study international relations and politics and you'll learn how to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. How can world leaders unite to combat climate change? Can we truly reach world peace? Will we ever achieve gender justice? You will explore these questions and many more topics in this exciting and flexible degree course.

Understand how the world works and demonstrate how it can work more effectively. This course will give you a complete overview of the study of international relations and politics and introduce you to a whole range of exciting topics.

This course will introduce you to the key areas in the international relations and politics discipline - so whether you have studied politics and international relations before or not, everyone will start with the fundamentals.

You’ll choose from a variety of optional modules, so that you can structure your degree to align with the topics that interest you the most.

As you progress through your degree, you’ll apply what you’ve learned to real life political issues and develop your own research interests and skills.

Our staff are experts in their field so no matter what topic you want to specialise in, there’ll be someone who will guide you in your research. Their current research covers topics such as: Brexit, gender politics, animal rights, environmentalism, populism and Middle East politics, and of course, these all feed into the modules that you will be studying.

Why study this course?

  • Top 10 in the UK for international relations: According to The Guardian University Guide 2025.

  • Get more out of your degree: You’ll have the opportunity to study abroad, undertake a placement year or take part in a whole host of other global and work experiences.

  • Prepare for an exciting career: Get bespoke support from our faculty employability team to find work experience, attend careers events and CV writing workshops to get you ready for your future career.

  • Supporting you with the transition to degree-level study: We hold study skills workshops in your first year, which take you through everything you need to know about university study, such as referencing, academic writing and building your employability skills.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 29/09/2025

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:
L201
Institution code:
S18
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Sheffield 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:
L201
Institution code:
S18
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD

in a relevant subject

Access to HE Diploma - D: 36 credits M: 9 credits

Award of Access to HE Diploma in either Law, Business Management, Humanities or Social Sciences, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction and 9 at Merit

Scottish Higher - AAAAB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

+ A at A Level

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) - B

+ AA at A Level

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2, H2, H3

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths grade 4/C

To find out if you're eligible for additional consideration or an alternative offer, visit: ww.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/access-sheffield

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

English language requirements for undergraduates https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/english-language

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.

The entry grades data only represents a proportion of our cohort. We accept a broad range of qualifications on our degrees and we're committed to ensuring all students with the potential to succeed at Sheffield are informed and feel encouraged to apply. If you meet one or more of our Access Sheffield criteria, we may be able to give your application additional consideration when we receive it and when exam results are released.

Learn more on the University of Sheffield 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.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
International£23810Year 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

The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider. Further guidance can be found here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-costs

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