BA (Hons) Politics, International Studies and Italian Bachelor's degree at the University of Warwick
BA (Hons) Politics, International Studies and Italian at University of Warwick integrates a year abroad in Italy as part of its four-year structure, meaning graduates leave with genuine fluency alongside a grounding in political analysis and international affairs.
About this course
BA (Hons) Politics, International Studies and Italian is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Warwick. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Politics graduates from this provider, 88% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 75% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,000. (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: 55; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 88% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 98% (2022-23; 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 5 modules
- Introduction to PoliticsCore30 credits
- World PoliticsCore30 credits
- Introducing Italy: Local and Global PerspectivesCore30 credits
- Italian for BeginnersOptional core30 credits
- Modern Italian Language I (Advanced)Optional core30 credits
Year 2 14 modules
- Foundations of Political TheoryCore15 credits
- Topics in Political TheoryCore15 credits
- Modern Italian Language IIOptional core30 credits
- Modern Italian Language IIIOptional core30 credits
- Politics of International DevelopmentOptional15 credits
- International Political Economy: States, Markets, and Global CapitalismOptional30 credits
- Theories of International RelationsOptional30 credits
- International SecurityOptional30 credits
- Public Policy for 21st Century ChallengesOptional30 credits
- Politics in the United KingdomOptional30 credits
- Politics of the USAOptional30 credits
- Core Issues in Comparative PoliticsOptional30 credits
- Gender Matters in Politics and International StudiesOptional15 credits
- The Political Economy of Southeast AsiaOptional15 credits
Year 3 8 modules
- Italian Cinema II: Individual PerspectivesOptional15 credits
- Present Futures: questions of marginality in contemporary ItalyOptional15 credits
- Legends, Conspiracies, and Fake News in Contemporary ItalyOptional15 credits
- Transnational Stories in ItalyOptional15 credits
- Destination Italy: The Ethics of Travel and Travel WritingOptional15 credits
- Dante's InfernoOptional15 credits
- Beyond Books: publishing, translation and marketing in Italy (19th-21st century)Optional15 credits
- Renaissance FlorenceOptional15 credits
Year 4 2 modules
- Modern Italian Language IVOptional core30 credits
- Gender and DevelopmentOptional30 credits
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
The course is structured around core theory in politics and international relations, giving students a foundation in the ideas, institutions and debates that shape political life at national and global levels. Alongside this sits research and methods training, developing the analytical and investigative skills needed to interrogate political questions rigorously. Applied practice modules connect theory to real political and international contexts, while specialist options allow students to pursue particular interests, such as areas of comparative politics, international relations or Italian studies that resonate most with their own goals. An independent project gives students the chance to research a topic of their own choosing in depth, and professional skills modules help translate academic study into competencies relevant beyond the degree. Italian language study runs throughout, building from grounding in grammar and communication towards more advanced, culturally engaged use of the language, supported directly by the year spent living and studying in Italy.
Who it's for
This course suits someone genuinely curious about how power, government and international relations work, and who also wants to commit to learning a language properly rather than picking it up superficially. It will appeal to students who enjoy reading widely, forming arguments and testing them against evidence, but who also relish the discipline of language learning, vocabulary, grammar, conversation practice, and the prospect of living abroad for an extended period. Studying here will feel demanding in two directions at once: politics modules ask for conceptual and analytical thinking, while Italian modules require steady, incremental practice and confidence in using a new language actively. It's a good fit for someone who is comfortable with ambiguity in political debate but also disciplined enough to keep building language competence term by term. Anyone drawn to European affairs, Italian culture and history, or the idea of using a language as a genuine professional tool, rather than as a decorative extra, is likely to find the combination rewarding rather than simply diluted.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Politics & International Relations courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 60% of working graduates are in highly skilled roles or further study; these figures describe the field generally rather than this specific course or university. National Graduate Outcomes/LEO data for the field show starting salaries (15 months after graduating) typically ranging from £24,000 to £32,000, moving to £21,675–£30,600 after three years and £27,200–£38,400 after five years, again, national figures reflecting a range of outcomes rather than any guaranteed salary. Graduates of a politics, international studies and Italian combination might look towards careers in international organisations, diplomacy, policy work, journalism, business with European or Italian links, or further postgraduate study, drawing on both the analytical training in politics and international relations and practical fluency in Italian. Nationally, 90% of students on this type of course continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed.
University & format
This course is delivered full-time over four years at the University of Warwick, a public, research-intensive Russell Group university founded in 1965 and currently home to 25,615 students. Warwick holds a Gold award in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 for teaching quality and was. Teaching and assessment are conducted in English, alongside dedicated Italian-language instruction, and the degree culminates in a BA (Hons) award recognised nationally as part of a UK degree-awarding institution. Most accepted students previously held A-levels or equivalent (95% of recent entrants), with a typical UCAS tariff among entrants of 128–143 points, reflecting what students commonly bring rather than a fixed requirement.
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.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
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 | 95% |
| a Baccalaureate | 4% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
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.
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. 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 University of Warwick →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 | £32,000 | £28,500 – £36,000 | 55 |
| 3 years after | £31,500 | £25,500 – £40,500 | 175 |
| 5 years after | £41,500 | £32,000 – £57,500 | 180 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 55; 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: 55; 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.
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 23% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Business, Research and Administrative ProfessionalsSOC 2020 243 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £48,746
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 11% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
- Artistic, literary and media occupationsSOC 2020 341 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £33,824
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: 100; response rate: 70%. 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.
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-LibraryIs 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
88% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £32,000. 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 9.1 out of 10: NSS 86% · in work or study 88% · continued 98%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Warwick
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 The University of Warwick
256 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 University of Warwick from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £25,000 / 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 University of Warwick’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 University of Warwick and gov.uk before you apply.
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What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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