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You are viewing entry year 2025/26.

Politics and International Relations, BA Hons

With so much going on in the world of politics, this is the ideal time to study our politics and international relations degree. The course will prepare you for roles in government and public service.

If you've ever wondered why people vote the way they do or why political systems differ, this degree in politics and international relations gives you the answers. You'll also get the chance to study a language. In your final year, you may be offered a work placement in regional or local politics.

Popular careers for our politics and international relations graduates include public service, information and communications, teaching, and roles in central and local government.

UCAS points

112 (view full requirements)(full requirements below)

Course/institution codes

L293 G BA/PIntR

We received Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. This recognises our outstanding performance in student experience and outcomes.

Location

Greenwich Campus

Duration

  • 3 years full-time
  • 6 years part-time
  • 4 years sandwich

Start month

September

Home/international fees 2025/26

£9,250 /£17,500

What you should know about this course

  • You can specialise in Politics and International Relations and take options in other subjects
  • Our modules provide a suitable introduction to politics and the practical implementation of political activity
  • Explore development and political economy, liberalism and political thought, political conspiracies, and international relations and security
  • You can undertake a work placement in regional or local politics, such as at a London-based interest and pressure group, or even at the House of Commons

What you will study

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Course information is currently unavailable for this programme. Please contact course-info@gre.ac.uk for more information.

About the course team

You will be taught by an experienced team who offer teaching based on their research and expertise. Students will attend lectures and seminars in which a range of learning activities will take place. All teaching staff hold a recognised teaching qualification.

Come and meet us

We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.

Next Open Days

Got a question?

To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.

Entry requirements

If you are

Qualifications

  • 112 UCAS Tariff points. We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, Access to HE and all other qualifications with UCAS Tariff points.
  • In addition, you will need: GCSE Mathematics at grade 4/C and GCSE English Language/Literature at grade 4/C. Equivalent qualifications may be considered.

Contextual Admissions

  • We make Contextual offers to this programme. Applicants that meet specific eligibility criteria will be made a contextual offer with a reduced tariff of up to 16 UCAS Tariff points. Other entry requirements such as GCSEs, Interview, etc., will still need to be met. For further information, please see our Contextual Admissions Policy.

For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.

You can also read our admissions policy.

The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses. If you cannot find your country on this list, please contact international@gre.ac.uk.

Choose your country:

Further information about entry

For more information, contact us at courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or call us on 020 8331 9000. You can also read our admissions policy.

Available to overseas students?

Yes

Can I use Prior Learning?

For entry: applicants with non-traditional qualifications or appropriate professional experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For exemption: If you hold qualifications or courses from another higher education institution, these may exempt you from modules of this degree.

How you will learn

Teaching

Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.

You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.

Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.

Class sizes

The typical student intake per year averages 40-50. Lectures usually are attended by larger groups and seminars/tutorials by smaller groups. This can vary more widely for modules that are shared between degrees.

Independent learning

Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate time to self-study.                                                                                                                                  This may involve further reading and research, preparing coursework and presentations, and preparing for tests and exams.

You can use Stockwell Street library and online resources to support you in these activities.

In addition, during the week you can also:

  • Attend guest lectures from political practitioners
  • Take part in employability workshops
  • Join student societies.

Overall workload

If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.

Each module you study towards this degree is worth 15 or 30 credits. These represent around 150 or 300 study hours respectively. If you receive 72 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 228 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.

Assessment

You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.

Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.

Feedback summary

We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.

Dates and timetables

The academic year runs from September to June.

Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.

Official statistics on Discover Uni

Full time

Part time

Fees and funding

Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

Cohort Full time Part time Distance learning
Home £9,250 £2,312 per 30 credits N/A
International £17,500 £4,375 per 30 credits N/A

Accommodation costs

Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.

Accommodation pages

Funding your study

There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.

EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.

Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.

Financial support

Course texts and other study resources are available from our Stockwell Street Library, but you may wish to purchase your own copies.

Careers and placements

Will I have a work placement?

This course can be taken in sandwich mode, which means you can take a year to work in industry between your second and final years of study. Sandwich placements are relevant to your degree subject and are paid roles. It is the very best way of preparing you for successfully finding a job quickly when you graduate.

You will also have the option to select a module for which you will be required to undertake a short-term placement. The module will be assessed on your reflection on this placement and how you can apply your knowledge to the workplace. Many placements are found through our network of industry contacts, and students are supported in securing these.

How long is my placement?

Sandwich placements last for between 9-13 months. Work-based learning module placements are normally one day a week for either one or two terms depending on the number of credits available from the module.

What are the financial arrangements?

Sandwich placements are paid roles whereas work-based learning module placements are normally unpaid.

What sort of careers do graduates pursue?

The skills you acquire through studying our courses will prepare you for careers in a wide range of industries and jobs.

Graduates of this course have gone on to careers in public service, information and communications, and media and voluntary sectors, as well as in the National Health Service, teaching, research, business, and central and local government. Some career options may require further study.

Are internships available?

Students are encouraged to take up Summer internships during the Summer holidays, though it is up to the student to find them. Support is available to students from the Employability and Careers Service when applying for placements and internships.

Do you provide employability services?

Employability activities take place all the time at Greenwich and students are encouraged to take part in as many opportunities as possible. The central Employability and Careers Service provides support for students preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles, such as CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops. In addition, your School has a dedicated Employability Officer who will be organising work-related activities throughout the year which will help you to build you industry knowledge and networks.

More about careers.

Support and advice

Academic skills and study support

We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.

Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.

Accommodation information

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Not quite what you were looking for?

We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our undergraduate courses or check our related courses below.....

International relations at the University of Greenwich

Gain an understanding of how international relations shape our world view and enjoy our great location within London – a global city and one of the world’s great political, trading and cultural centres.

Visit our international relations degrees page.

Political insights for Greenwich’s students


Two more events in the ‘Political Insights’ series gave Greenwich’s International Relations students a unique insight into politics in Europe and Australia.

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Apply now

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study full-time then you apply through the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study part-time then you can apply directly via our online application form.

If you are from outside the UK, you can apply via UCAS, directly via our online application form or via one of our in-country representatives. If you require a student visa, you cannot study part-time at undergraduate level.