University of Brighton
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Brighton
BN2 4AT
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Politics and International Relations
- BA (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Brighton
Course summary
On this Politics and International Relations degree course, you will examine major contemporary issues such as Brexit, the rise of China and great power rivalries, as well as the changing role of the UN and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The course has the flexibility for you to explore your specific interests – you might want to explore anarchism, international political economy, political research methods, or human rights and humanitarian intervention.
You will develop skills in negotiation, critical analysis and debate, vital if you are keen to pursue a career in politics, the civil service, diplomacy or foreign affairs.
The Politics in Practice module provides opportunities to interact with community activists and the non-profit sector in Brighton.
We also offer three other politics degrees:
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Politics BA(Hons)
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Politics, Sexuality and Gender BA(Hons)
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Politics and Social Change BA(Hons)
TOP REASONS TO CHOOSE THIS COURSE
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Learn in a vibrant, progressive city with a reputation for radical, environmental, and LGBTQI+ activism.
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Your lecturers are internationally recognised on issues including populism, gender studies, the Middle East, environmentalism, migration, housing and political theory.
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Apply to spend a semester studying abroad at a partner university in your second year.
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You can work with the Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics which hosts talks, seminars, workshops and conferences, as well as offering research internships and an annual undergraduate research prize.
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Guest speakers have included Caroline Lucas and Sue Shanks (Green Party), Yousef Eldin (BBC documentary producer), Nancy Hawker (Amnesty International) and Prof Angie Wilson (ex-Chair of the Political Studies Association, researching sexuality and politics), as well as representatives from Make the Shift, The Free West Papua Campaign and Brighton and Hove Community Land Trust.
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Assignments don’t just mean essays, you'll be assessed in lots of different ways including films, podcasts, data visualisations, political speeches, social media campaigns; the types of projects that will be valued by employers.
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Graduate with both theoretical and practical knowledge. Our courses offer practical skills and real-world experiences to prepare you for your future careers, with opportunities to undertake placements, design a campaign for a political organisation and learn digital communication skills.
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The university’s commitment to addressing global challenges is the lens through which you will learn and issues such as climate change, equality and inclusivity, and sustainability are embedded in all teaching on our politics courses.
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Our decolonised approach to teaching and learning emphasises lived experience, recognising that knowledge is held in communities not only in academic institutions.
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You will be studying in a thriving community alongside students taking related degrees which informs our delivery.
Modules
Year 1
Introduction to the Global Challenges Lab
Political Ideas
Foundations in World Politics
Globalisation, Conflict and the Environment
Politics in Practice
Comparative Political Systems
Year 2
Colonialism in the Contemporary Global Order
Researching Politics
Debating Contemporary International Relations
International Institutions
Options*
Authority, Justice and Democracy
UK Politics
Gender, Race and the Environment
Global Challenges Lab: Research Communication
Nations and Nationalism
Experiencing the Workplace: Practices and the Community
Global Challenges Lab: Policy Solutions
Optional Placement Year
Final year
Race and International Relations
Politics Dissertation
Options*
Radical Political Economy and Anarchist Politics
Global Social Policy
Politics in the Middle East
Race and International Relations
Sexual Utopias: Imagining Radical Futures
*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Brighton
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 09/2026
Apply by
14 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:
- B72
- Campus name:
- Brighton
- Campus Code:
- B
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Brighton 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
14 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:
- B72
- Campus name:
- Brighton
- Campus Code:
- B
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
A level - BCC - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM - MMM
Access to HE Diploma - D: 12 credits M: 33 credits
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 26 points
3 HL subjects
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements. Or equivalent English Language qualification. |
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.
At Brighton we recognise that not everyone's background provides the same advantages, and we know that grades are not the only indicator of potential.
If you meet our contextual admissions criteria we will make you an offer which is at least 16 UCAS points lower than our standard offer. You may also be eligible for additional financial and practical support from us through the Brighton Boost cost of living support package.
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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £17250 | Year 1 |
| International | £17250 | 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
The fees listed in the table above are for full-time UK undergraduate students in academic year 2025-26. You will pay further fees in each year of your course. Fees may increase each year. UK undergraduate and certain postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government. The annual fee increase will not exceed the UK government's maximum regulated tuition fee limit set for the relevant academic year. Many of our courses include the option of a salaried placement year. Tuition fees for a placement year are charged at a lower rate of £1850. The international tuition fees listed above are for full-time courses during the academic year 2025-26. Further tuition fees are payable in each year of study. Non-regulated tuition fees, which usually apply to international students and UK postgraduate students* are subject to an annual increase of a maximum of 5% or the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), whichever is higher.
*Some designated postgraduate courses are regulated by the UK government – the annual fee increase for eligible UK / Home students on these designated courses will not exceed the UK government’s regulated tuition fee limit set for the relevant academic year.
Related courses
At University of Brighton
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