Politics and International Relations
| Award | Attendance | Study | Duration | Start | Domestic fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) | On-Campus | Full-time | 3 - 4 years | September | £9535 per year | £19600 per year |
About Politics and International Relations, BA (Hons) - at Swansea University
Our Joint Honours Politics and International Relations degree is designed for students who are interested in domestic politics (including the study of political theory, states, elections, and parliaments) as well as politics between countries (with a focus on international relations theory, security studies, and conflict). The degree allows students to develop expertise in both areas and to explore topics (such as environmental politics, global political economy, and international development) where they intersect.
The course is designed to give students a strong grounding in both politics and international relations in the first year, before allowing greater specialisation as well as increasing focus on the domestic/international intersection in the second year and building to a final year that centres on self-directed learning, allowing students flexibility to choose topics and areas that they wish to focus on. In the final year you also have the chance to take an internship with the Welsh Parliament and a British Parliamentary Studies module, partly taught by expert staff from the Houses of Parliament.
There is a strong emphasis on employability and skills across the degree. Students on this course typically develop excellent oral and writing skills and you will learn to present your ideas in a range of formats, along with strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Our graduates are truly international and are employed all around the world.
They have careers in:
- Government and politics
- Education
- Humanitarian organisations
- Business
- Media, communication, and public relations
- Law
- Public services
Why Politics and International Relations at Swansea?
Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula,
Politics at Swansea is ranked:
- 4th in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)
- 8th in the UK for Academic Support (NSS 2024*)
- Politics and International Relations at Swansea University is ranked in the Top 250 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
International Relations at Swansea is ranked:
- 4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
- Top 15 in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2025)
- Politics and International Relations at Swansea University is ranked in the Top 250 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
You will study in one of the select departments in the UK to offer the British Parliamentary Studies module, where you will be taught by our specialist academic staff and Members of Parliament, and you will visit the House of Commons.
You will have the competitive option of undertaking a work placement module with the National Assembly for Wales, working closely with Assembly Ministers.
You can also have a semester abroad in Hong Kong, Singapore or the USA, further enhancing your student experience and career prospects.
*Based on the average positivity score across questions 15 to 16 in the NSS 2024 when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide
Entry requirements
Contact Swansea University to find course entry requirements.
Why study at Swansea University
There are many reasons to choose Swansea University for your studies; from the stunning beachfront locations of our Singleton Park and Bay campuses, to our global reputation for research and academic excellence, we offer a safe, supportive and fun environment to live and study, and our vast range of courses and subject areas mean you are sure to find the future career for you.
- Top 30 UK research-led university (Research Excellence Framework 2014-2021)
- Ranked within the Top 300 of universities globally (QS World University Rankings 2025)
- Voted 6th safest city in England and Wales (Complete University Guide 2024)
- UK Top 10 of the People and Planet University League (Times Good University Guide 2025)
Whether you join us for your undergraduate degree, postgraduate studies or research, you’ll receive a modern approach to learning, backed by cutting-edge facilities and an excellent research and teaching faculty.
Join Swansea and start your journey, studying in a picturesque, student-friendly city by the sea with so much to offer.