BA (Hons) International Relations and Politics with a Placement Year
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- L20P
- Typical Offer
- BBB
- Contextual Offer
- BCC
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
It’s almost impossible to separate a single country’s politics from the interconnected world of international relations. So many of the world’s big issues – from economic crises, to war, to climate change, and to threats to democracy – are problems for domestic governments and for the international community alike. Studying International Relations and Politics, you’ll explore the close links between domestic and international politics. You’ll normally spend nine to twelve months of your third year in a placement, gaining invaluable work experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice.
On our BA International Relations and Politics with a Placement Year degree, you’ll be taught by cutting-edge specialists in both disciplines. You’ll look at the political systems of powerful countries in different regions such as the United States, the EU, China and Japan in East Asia, or India. You’ll explore the causes and significance of different types of conflict, and the role of the media in shaping domestic politics and foreign policy.
You’ll also ask big questions such as: What role do norms or values such as human rights or gender equality play in domestic and global politics? Do our moral responsibilities extend beyond the borders of the country into which we happened to be born? Why should you vote – or fight, or protest, or campaign?
Our International Relations and Politics with a Placement Year course prepares you for a variety of career paths in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Your personal adviser and dedicated School career adviser will work with you to provide guidance and support to ensure you have access to the right opportunities to pursue your passion and make a difference.
During the course, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in study trips, internships and placements in the UK and Europe. You’ll also have the option of a semester abroad in your second year.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
Want to graduate with professional experience? On this course, you’ll normally spend 9-12 months of your third year* in a placement, gaining invaluable work experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice. You’ll be expected to seek your own work placement and will be supported in doing so by UEA’s Career Central Service and your School. Support for you to find your placement will start early in the first year and will be tailored to the particular needs you'll have at various stages of the process.
The field in which you’ll do your placement will depend on your own interests, and some of the preparatory workshops will help you have a clearer idea of what these are, what your values are, and which career they may lead to. International Relations and Politics graduates go into a wide range of sectors, and so placements can be done in fields such as heritage, business, the public sector, creative industries and many more. We'll, however, require that the tasks you’ll conduct as part of your placement meet the required learning outcomes and are complex enough to help you develop a range of skills that you’ll be able to translate and use during the final year of your degree and your post-graduation career.
*Placements may be shorter on some occasions, or take place during different years of the degree, but this must be agreed by the Placement Director and Learning and Teaching Services.
Have a business idea? If you have an idea you think would make a great business, you may be able to turn your Placement Year into a ‘Year in Enterprise’*. Your idea (business plan, budget etc.), motivation and academic record would have to be assessed by our team. Should you be given the go-ahead, you could use the year to start your businesses in a structured and supportive environment, accessing numerous training courses and extensive mentoring.
*Note that if you’re studying with us on a Student Visa, you can’t currently undertake a Year in Enterprise due to Visa rules
This version of the degree gives you the opportunity and support to greatly enhance your employability by securing and undertaking a year-long placement in the third year of your degree. Find out more about this exciting opportunity on our 'Placement Years in Arts and Humanities' page.
Study and Modules
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 30)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
BBB
Contextual offer: BCC
BTEC
DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Contextual: DD plus C at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
Contextual: D plus BC at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 45 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Not accepted
Foundation Year Options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as BA (Hons) Politics (with a Foundation Year)
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
31 points overall.
Irish Leaving Certificate
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AABBB or above.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
Scottish Advanced Highers
CCC or above.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
BBB
International Baccalaureate
31 points overall.
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Merit in the Occupational Specialism.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills for a range of careers. These might include working for different political organisations such as international agencies, parliaments or political parties. You could work with charities, non-government organisations (NGOs), think-tanks, universities or other research organisations, or even with bodies like the civil or diplomatic service or armed forces. You could also go into business, marketing, media, or teaching. Alternatively, you could continue your studies with a postgraduate degree.
To help you make the transition from student to working life, our Careers Service organises a range of popular events, such as Working in Politics and Government, Working in Charities and NGOs, and Working in Westminster and Whitehall. Here you’ll have the chance to make valuable contacts and get advice and insights from successful UEA alumni.
Careers
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- Political careers, such as working in Parliaments or for political parties
- International organisations
- Charities and NGOs
- Think tanks and other research careers
- Civil Service
- Armed forces
Discover more on our Careers webpages.