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De Montfort University · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations Bachelor's degree at De Montfort University
BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations at De Montfort University. You'll develop knowledge across core theory, research methods, and applied practice, alongside specialist options and an independent project.
BA (Hons)
Award
–
Years
Part-time
Study mode
On campus
Location
About this course
Explore how language shapes communication and society while deepening your understanding of education and lifelong learning, preparing you for varied career options. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at De Montfort University. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Politics & International Relations, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Ideas and Change in Politics and International RelationsCore
Module details
This module looks at key political ideas that are fundamental to our world today, but also how those ideas have changed, especially with recent contributions in gender studies, postcolonial research and queer theory. Studying this module introduces students to theory – not as a distant, abstract exercise, but as a reflection of contemporary politics.
- Journeys and PlacesCore
Module details
With its focus on journeys and places, this module offers an opportunity for you to explore some of the key concepts underpinning your studies. You will take a post-disciplinary approach to your subject area, using techniques from diverse areas to address key questions related to journeys and places.
Assessment: Subject-specific Coursework: 1 (30%) and 2 (70%)
- Global Challenges: Politics and PolicyCore
Module details
Introduces the material drivers of contemporary challenges, from colonialism and colonial legacies, classed, gendered, racial hierarchies and the role of state. It introduces students to these challenges from a critical political economy perspective.
Assessment: Portfolio 100% (20% critical reflection (written or audio) and 80% written essay)
- Comparative Politics and DemocracyCore
Module details
Introduces students to the concept of democracy, and examines different forms of democracy, using historical examples to understand the drivers of the expansion and retrenchment of different kinds of democracy. It then considers the contemporary state of democracy, analyses the challenges it faces, and the potential for further democratisation in the 21st century.
Assessment: Portfolio 100% (oral presentation and written report)
Year 2 5 modules
- Political Theory – Why Big Ideas MatterOptional
Module details
Examines key political ideas that shape political realities today, but explores what decolonisation and diversification means for those political ideas. Takes a unique disruptive approach, by creating conversations between two or three important thinkers, within multiple cultural contexts and perspectives.
Assessment: Presentation 40% and written report 60%
- Contemporary International Relations TheoryOptional
Module details
Introduces students to a wide range of approaches to theorizing the international. Covers a wide array of popular contemporary theoretical approaches, from postcolonial, feminist, Marxist and poststructuralist theories, as well as traditional and mainstream approaches to International Relations (IR) Theory.
Assessment: Portfolio 100% (30% critical reflection (written or audio) and 70% written essay)
- Exploring Work and SocietyCore
Module details
Designed to prepare and support you towards the pursuit of post-degree pathways. It will focus on the specific skills, capabilities and knowledge needed to adapt and flourish in professional environments and contexts. There will be an emphasis on enhancement of core attributes, competencies and transferable skills.
- Global Political Economy: Gender, Race, ClassOptional
Module details
Aims to equip you with the knowledge and lens through which to make sense of the complex ways economics and politics interact on a global scale. Rooted in the tradition of political economy and its critique, examines key topics and issues of contemporary capitalism, including finance, trade, production, social reproduction, environment, work, development, and governance.
Assessment: Essay 3000 Words (70%) Book Review 1000 Words (30%)
- Not WestminsterOptional
Module details
Focuses on the 'everyday' dimension of politics and assesses how/why local democracy matters. Explores what's happening beyond 'the Westminster bubble' and central/formal institutions/loci of power, covering key topics such as multi-level governance, devolution, local government, democratic innovations, community power.
Assessment: Portfolio 100%, comprising two written and one audio components
Final Year 2 modules
- Political Research in ActionCore
Module details
Critically introduces the approaches and methods that shape the creation of empirical knowledge in politics and international relations. Provides students with an up-to-date understanding of research methods, and the ways these methods are applied in contemporary politics and international relations research.
Assessment: Portfolio (100%)
- American PoliticsOptional
Module details
Takes a thematic approach to the study of politics across the Americas, offering a political, historical, social, cultural and international focus, which enables you to engage and consider government and the governed from a range of perspectives.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course explores how language shapes communication and society whilst deepening your understanding of education and lifelong learning. A course like this typically moves from foundational study of political systems, institutions and ideologies in Year 1, alongside introductory international relations theory and research skills. Year 2 usually progresses to comparative politics, comparing democracies and democracies across countries, and international security, covering conflict, deterrence and contemporary challenges. You'll also develop quantitative and qualitative research methods. In Year 3, you'll typically choose specialist options such as international security, comparative politics, political theory, global governance, public policy and human rights, before undertaking a supervised dissertation on a political question of your choosing, alongside contemporary political theory seminars.
Who it's for
You're drawn to understanding political systems, international affairs, and how societies communicate and learn. You think critically about global issues and enjoy analysing real-world problems from multiple angles. This course suits you if you want intellectual flexibility, balancing theoretical foundations with practical application, and if you're preparing for careers where analytical thinking and communication matter. Studying part-time means you can balance university with work or other commitments.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 85% of Politics and International Relations graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 60% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing postgraduate study. Graduate earnings across the field range from £24,000–£32,000 at the start of your career, rising to £27,200–£38,400 after five years, though individual outcomes vary widely by role and sector. Graduates typically pursue careers in public administration, policy, advocacy, international organisations, research, education, and communications.
University & format
De Montfort University is a public university offering this BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations degree on a part-time basis, taught in English. The university, founded in 1992, has 29,000 students. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, the degree is nationally recognised. De Montfort received a Bronze award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Published entryBBC (A Level), DMM (BTEC), 112 UCAS poin typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Contextual offersPublished by this provider
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
PlacementPublished placement option
Optional placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysOpen Days - Book your place
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
2026 entryLive availability check
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBC (A Level), DMM (BTEC), 112 UCAS poin. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check De Montfort University's official course page for the current offer.
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Offer-based entry
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
UCAS codeN820quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code N820). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask De Montfort University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£16,800 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at De Montfort University →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
Check providertuition used per year, no published course home fee, total not estimated
total borrowing, course length not published
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All De Montfort University funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
undergraduate students with household income £50,000 or less
Check eligibility →students with household income £50,000 or less
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Politics & International Relations graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in politics & international relations · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Politics & International Relations nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,000 – £32,000
After 3 years LEO
£21,675 – £30,600
After 5 years LEO
£27,200 – £38,400
national rangeaxis £20,500 – £40,000
National figures for Politics & International Relations graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How Politics & International Relations graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Politics & International Relations courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes60%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Politics & International Relations graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Government & civil service (FCDO)
- Think tanks
- NGOs
- Public-affairs agencies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Politics & International Relations graduates.
Head of History & PoliticsProspero TeachingExaminer - GCE A Level Politics (2017 specification).PearsonA Level PoliticsBURNLEY COLLEGESocial & Audience Engagement Producer (Politics & World News)SkyHead of the School of Area Studies Sociology History Politics and LiteratureUniversity of PortsmouthHead of History and politicsCV-LibraryLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
De Montfort University
All students23,155
International31.8%
Aged 25+27.3%
Social sciences across the UK
Students275,900
Aged 25+37%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around De Montfort University
4,747 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 1557Public Order 619Anti Social Behaviour 570Shoplifting 499Criminal Damage Arson 362
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Politics & International Relations right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to De Montfort University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £16,800 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check De Montfort University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with De Montfort University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at De Montfort University
Politics & International Relations at other universities
BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre / International RelationsAberystwyth UniversityBA (Hons) Hanes / Cysylltiadau RhyngwladolAberystwyth UniversityBA (Hons) International Relations (with integrated year in Industry)Aberystwyth UniversityBA (Hons) International Relations (with integrated year studying abroad)Aberystwyth UniversityCommon questions
What are the entry requirements?
Set by De Montfort University. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates earn?
See the career and earnings data for Politics & International Relations below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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