International Relations BA (Hons)
University of Birmingham
Student rating
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( 4.3) 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

Main Site

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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

Main Site

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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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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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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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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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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Course info

**Our International Relations degree will help you understand the complexities of relationships between different countries and how they engage with each other to effectively manage a wide range of problems on a global scale.**International Relations is a distinct academic discipline, but it is by its nature interdisciplinary. This means on this degree you will learn from a range of disciplines, such as politics, history, geography, economics, and law. On the International Relations BA you will ...Read more


Our International Relations degree will help you understand the complexities of relationships between different countries and how they engage with each other to effectively manage a wide range of problems on a global scale.

International Relations is a distinct academic discipline, but it is by its nature interdisciplinary. This means on this degree you will learn from a range of disciplines, such as politics, history, geography, economics, and law. On the International Relations BA you will develop the all-round skills needed for a modern working world: critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and creativity.


Why study this course?

-Our BA International Relations degree includes the opportunity to undertake a Professional Development module as part of your optional module choices.-You will have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at one of our many international exchange partners.-Studying at the University of Birmingham will boost your employability prospects - we are ranked 3rd for being targeted by the top UK employers (High Fliers Research 2023).-You can transfer onto our 4-year Year Abroad track during your time at Birmingham (grades depending) and benefit from the increased confidence and different academic perspective gained by studying in a foreign country. -All third-year students are eligible to apply to be part of a delegation to the annual International Model NATO Conference, held in Washington DC in the Spring Term. This experience provides you with a unique opportunity to participate in a role-play exercise of decision-making at NATO, working with delegates from universities and institutions across the globe. Students selected for this Conference will be provided with bursaries that cover the cost of Conference registration, accommodation and subsistence.-Each year we work with the Guild UN Modelling Society to put on a Model UN event. This is open to all students in POLSIS and attracts students from all around the world.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
44/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
16th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
13th
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 - 85 = 15% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
15%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Politics graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK Politics graduate salary
£20,000
What students say
C
Catrin
31 Jan 24

Best aspect is the campus and Selly Oak..Read more

E
Ethan
31 Jan 24

I love the..Read more

Modules

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

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

AAB Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

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

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

32 Grades / Points required

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

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

T Level:

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

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

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

3 A Levels required

Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)

The entry requirements are 6,6,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall.

BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are all accepted but subjects are considered on a case by case basis - contact us for further guidance.

All subjects considered; Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component.

Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.

Popular A-level subjects

Politics

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

History
61%
Government & Politics
57%
Economics
31%
English Literature
26%
Geography
17%
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.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest International Relations reviews

International Relations
International Relations
C
Catrin
31 Jan 24
International Relations BA (Hons)
Best aspect is the campus and Selly Oak...
Read more
E
Ethan
31 Jan 24
International Relations BA (Hons)
I love the...
Read more
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How International Relations students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 27 reviews
5 star
15%
4 stars
85%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 1,423 reviews
5 star
40%
4 stars
50%
3 stars
9%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

University of Birmingham
Academic and Student Division Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom
Nearest train station: University   0.2 miles away
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