International Relations BA (Hons)
Durham University
Student rating
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( 4.1) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Durham City

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Durham City

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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Politics
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Higher
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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Access to HE Diploma
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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T Level
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Location

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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Channel Islands
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EU
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Course info

Our BA in International Relations will give you a grounding in global politics and so much more. Taking a research-led approach you’ll develop an understanding of many of the relationships that shape our complex and interconnected world. Issues that range from regional studies and global security to the balance of power and social norms.Study is structured around three main themes: political thought, political institutions and international relations. Following an introduction to these themes, ...Read more

Our BA in International Relations will give you a grounding in global politics and so much more. Taking a research-led approach you’ll develop an understanding of many of the relationships that shape our complex and interconnected world. Issues that range from regional studies and global security to the balance of power and social norms.Study is structured around three main themes: political thought, political institutions and international relations. Following an introduction to these themes, you’ll begin to tailor the course to your interests and aspirations with a selection of optional modules. These include areas such as security, interdependence, liberty, comparative studies of political economies, democratic practice, and the role of global politics in the environment. You can further tailor your course by applying to add a work placement, or an international dimension with an overseas study year in locations such as Boston College in the USA, the University of British Columbia in Canada, the University of Hong Kong or the National University of Singapore. The School of Government and International Affairs is home to a number of research centres and institutes. This innovative work is fed into the BA, so you can be sure the curriculum is informed by contemporary political debate.The critical analytical and research skills that underpin the course, coupled with an understanding of global current affairs and the connections between countries, governments, NGOs and the business sector, will put you in a strong position to pursue a career in areas including social policy, international finance, business, journalism and the charity sector.

Key stats

CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
7th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
7th
Politics
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 100 = 0% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
0%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
75%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Politics graduate salary at this uni
£25,000
UK Politics graduate salary
£23,000
What students say
SR
Student Reviewer
15 Jan 20

Social aspects and societies are amazing. However, I would like more contact hours for how expensive the tuition fees..Read more

SR
Student Reviewer
10 Mar 15

I don't really use union. very expensive housing. career service for..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

AAA Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

AAAAB Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

AAA Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

D:30,M:15 Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

D3,D3,D3 Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

37 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

H2,H2,H2,H2,H2 Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma:

DDD Grades / Points required

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

DDD Grades / Points required

T Level:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Including a social science or humanities subject.Specific subjects excluded for entry:General Studies and Critical Thinking.Information:Please see the website for a list of accepted social science and humanities subjects.

Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis.General information on subjects/grades required for entry:Grade A at AH level in an accepted social science or humanities subject.

General information on subjects/grades required for entry:Grade A at AH level in an accepted social science or humanities subject.

We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham.General information on subjects/grades required for entry:Sufficient credits in at least one accepted social science or humanities subject. Due to the range of qualifications available we are unable to specify a specific amount of credits to meet this requirement, however if you would like more information please contact us with your application ID, or module list, so that we may advise appropriately.

General information on subjects/grades required for entry:Grade D3 in an accepted social science or humanities subject.

With 666 in higher level subjects, including a social sciences or humanities subject.

General information on subjects/grades required for entry:Grade H2 at Higher Level in an accepted social science or humanities subject.

A Levels must include a social science or humanities subject.

A Levels must include a social science or humanities subject.

At Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds. We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses. Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level. Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements.

Popular A-level subjects

Politics

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

History
58%
Mathematics
49%
Government & Politics
45%
Economics
41%
English Literature
31%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£27,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£27,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£27000 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest International Relations reviews

International Relations
International Relations
SR
Student Reviewer
15 Jan 20
International Relations BA (Hons)
Social aspects and societies are amazing. However, I would like more contact hours for how expensive the tuition fees...
Read more
SR
Student Reviewer
10 Mar 15
International Relations BA (Hons)
I don't really use union. very expensive housing. career service for...
Read more
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How International Relations students rated:

Student rating
( 4.4) 7 reviews
5 star
43%
4 stars
57%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 528 reviews
5 star
33%
4 stars
54%
3 stars
10%
2 stars
2%
1 star
1%
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Uni info

Durham University
Palatine Centre Durham DH1 3HP United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Durham  0.3 miles away
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