BSc (Hons) Politics And International Relations Bachelor's degree at Edge Hill University
BSc (Hons) Politics And International Relations at Edge Hill University was established in 2006 and is recognised as a UK degree-awarding body, with degrees nationally recognised.
About this course
BSc (Hons) Politics And International Relations is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Edge Hill University, based in Ormskirk. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Social sciences graduates from this provider, 93% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 53% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £27,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Politics & International Relations, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 93% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 7 modules
- Introduction to Political Concepts and TheoryCompulsory20 credits
Module details
explores the foundations of political analysis and the concepts, approaches and methods through which we understand the subject. You will critically examine the core ideas central to the study of politics. You will address the nature of the state and sovereignty, and will gain a deeper, critical understanding of power, systems of governance and political legitimacy.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Introduction to International RelationsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
recognises that it is difficult to understand politics today without having an understanding of how states relate to each other. The module explores inter-state relationships to each other and to international and supranational institutions. The global trends and pressures which impact on and influence politics and policy making will also be considered, as well as the role of non state actors, such as non-governmental organisations.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Practical
- UK Politics - Issues and Challenges Since 1979Compulsory20 credits
Module details
will explore UK Politics, and the changes it has undergone, in the period from the 1979 election onwards. You will cover a range of issues such as the Brexit Referendum, the creation of the Social Democratic Party, the miners' strike and the 2010 Coalition. This module will provide you with a foundation for further study at a more advanced level and will complement other modules focusing on particular aspects of politics and the political profession.
Assessment: 60% Exam 40% Coursework
- Analysing Policy and Policy-MakingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
looks at how policy is made, in government(s) and in political parties. You will learn a range of ways of analysing and evaluating the process and policy success. Many bodies in politics make policy. This can be in response to crises, in an attempt to introduce particular ideological approaches or to find ways of solving long and short term problems. This module will give you an understanding of policy making approaches and the policy-making "world" which is vital for understanding politics.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- The Art of Political Rhetoric - from Pericles to PutinOptional20 credits
Module details
explores a range of political speeches identifying rhetorical devices and context. You will also be introduced to the art of speech-writing. Understanding how politicians communicate is an important part of understanding politics. Speeches, whether in the legislature, at party conference, at the hustings or elsewhere, provide a rich source of material for that understanding. Learning the art of speech writing will help you understand speeches better and provide you with a chance to begin to deve
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Practical
- Parliaments and Devolution in the UKOptional20 credits
Module details
will provide you with a focus on the development of devolved forms of government as well as Parliamentary procedures at UK and devolved Parliament areas. Since the new Labour Government in 1997 the UK has seen the setting up and empowering of devolved governments. There has also been the development and growth of the position of Elected Mayor. These developments are highly significant for the way politics is done in the UK. In this module you will focus on the UK Parliament but also on devolved
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Exam
- Language 1Optional20 credits
Module details
is ideal if you want to learn a new language, or further develop your current language skills, as an integrated part of this degree. The module will be taught in an interactive, communicative manner, using authentic materials in the target language. Emphasis will be placed on all four areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will play an active role in the classes, engaging in role-plays, short conversations, videos, authentic texts and listening materials. You will also be encoura
Assessment: 85% Coursework 15% Practical
Year 2 10 modules
- Political IdeologiesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
explores the principle ideas, significance and impact of the major political ideologies in contemporary political life. The module first considers the nature of political ideology and then proceeds to examine and critique each system of ideas and consider the context that shaped their birth, development and evolution. You will also examine the ways in which political ideologies influence or determine political choices in contemporary societies.
Assessment: 80% Coursework 20% Practical
- Contemporary US PoliticsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
looks at politics in the US today and in the recent past. It focuses on major trends and key developments while exploring in some detail the key institutions relevant to US politics. Focusing on the US politics from the Reagan presidency onwards, the aim is to equip you with an understanding of one of the major 'theatres of politics'. You will explore key aspects of recent presidencies, the development of the role of Vice President, the US candidate selection system, the funding of political cam
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Global and National Capital and Labour in the 20th CenturyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
will explore the connection between capital and labour, both nationally and internationally, enabling you to understand the complex, ever-changing relationships. You'll gain a greater understanding of the complicated relationship between the two, and the various influences upon that relationship. You'll explore some of the historical and contemporary events that have shaped capital, labour, and the economy, from the French Revolution to the 2008 global financial crash, although mostly with a foc
Assessment: 100% Exam
- Research Methods for PoliticsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
introduces research methodologies and issues such as ethics and project planning. It also explores the various debates around research approaches. Studying this module will prepare you for your dissertation project in year 3. This module will you give a complete focus on research, so you will be able to begin to think about the methods best suited to pursuing your areas of interest.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Political GeographyOptional20 credits
Module details
is one of the most important subdisciplines of human geography. The module provides a deeper understanding of various ways in which power produces, and is produced by, spaces and places in which they operate. You will discover the spatial nature of political power, thereby enabling deeper theoretical and practical insights into the relationship between space, place, territory and politics. With specific attention to how power is related to and distributed across space, the module interposes theo
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- 1968 And All That: Protest in Western EuropeOptional20 credits
Module details
covers the rise and fall of a cycle of protest movements often referred to by the label '1968', but which it can be argued went from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. You will study a range of movements that affected European politics and arguably transformed European society, including industrial unrest by workers, the women's liberation movement, anti-war movements, anti-racism, the so-called 'New Left', environmentalism, and a quest for greater freedom and authenticity in people's personal l
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Exam
- Comparative European PoliticsOptional20 credits
Module details
examines the government and politics of France, Germany, Italy, Greece and Poland on a comparative basis. The module will explore in a systematic manner through the application of a number of theoretical models the nature of the systems of government and politics in the three states.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- The US and the WorldOptional20 credits
Module details
explores the question 'How did the United States become the preeminent global superpower?' Challenging the idea that America has historically been 'isolationist' or a 'reluctant hero' that only periodically intervenes in global affairs, this module contends that the United States 'was born global'. In addition to analysing US foreign policy, you will explore American history through transnational and international lenses: examining how flows of goods, people and ideas have influenced the United
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Exam
- The Global Cold WarOptional20 credits
Module details
explores the ideological struggle between the Soviet Union and the United States, which has dominated international relations for four and a half decades, and the Cold War's legacies continue to shape our world today. In recent years, scholars have looked beyond Washington and Moscow to understand the Cold War as a truly global conflict. Drawing on scholarship produced since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the partial opening of archives in the former communist world, this module analyses how th
Assessment: 70% Coursework 30% Practical
- International LawOptional
Module details
is an important subject due to the globalisation of society. It is the law that governs relationships between states and the activities of international institutions, including the United Nations and European Union. During the module you will consider areas such as the settlement of disputes, title to territory, diplomatic relations, the law of the sea, human rights, and the law governing international trade agreements.
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
You'll study how political systems, institutions and international relations function across democracies and states. A course like this typically begins with foundations in political science, international relations theory and research skills. In your second year, you'll move to comparative analysis of different political systems, international security challenges, and research methods, both quantitative and qualitative. By year three, you'll pursue specialist options such as global governance, human rights, political theory, public policy, comparative politics or international security, and complete a supervised independent research project on a political question of your choice. Throughout, you'll develop critical reading and analytical writing skills applied to real-world political questions.
Who it's for
This course suits those with a genuine interest in understanding political systems, international affairs, and global governance. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff among entrants was 96–111 points. You should be prepared for sustained academic study and independent research, particularly in the final year project.
Careers & job market
Across Politics and International Relations courses nationally, 85% of graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of those working, 60% were in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries (at 15 months) typically fall between £24,000 and £32,000, rising to £27,200–£38,400 after five years. These figures reflect the broader graduate population and outcomes, not guarantees specific to this institution.
University & format
Edge Hill University is a public university located in Ormskirk. This BSc (Hons) Politics and International Relations degree is taught full-time over 3 years in English. The qualification is a nationally recognised UK degree award. The university holds a Silver rating for teaching quality under the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 85% |
| another higher-education qualification | 10% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
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.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code L240). 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 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. 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.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Edge Hill University →For students who normally live in England
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.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Politics & International Relations graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £27,000 | £23,000 – £32,000 | 80 |
| 3 years after | £20,500 | £15,500 – £25,000 | 350 |
| 5 years after | £24,000 | £19,500 – £29,000 | 355 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 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
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.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Politics & International Relations courses at the same study level.
Compared with 690 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Welfare ProfessionalsSOC 2020 246 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £39,047
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 11% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Protective service occupationsDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 290; response rate: 51%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Politics & International Relations graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How 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.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
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.
Where graduates go
93% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £27,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.9 out of 10: NSS 84.6% · in work or study 93% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Edge Hill University
Social sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Ormskirk
220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
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 Edge Hill University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £14,500 / 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 Edge Hill 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 Edge Hill University and gov.uk before you apply.
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