Politics with International Relations
L240How on earth do we make sense of Brexit, Trump and terrorism? Why do countries go to war? And how can I actively participate in policy making? Our compelling course and enthusiastic team of expert lecturers will help you answer these questions and get to grips with the complexity of domestic, regional and international political life.
Course overview
Over three years, you gain a thorough overview of the key forces and trends driving politics in a wide range of areas such as the environment, human rights and equality, conventional and non-conventional security threats, policy-making, strategy, China’s rise, Russia's international relations and the future role of the EU and the US.
In today’s world of uncertain alliances and emerging popular movements, there is a new demand for experts who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to analyse global politics. You learn the various theoretical tools that are available to undertake such analyses and apply them to current political affairs.
On our distinctive programme you are encouraged to become an independent, critical inquirer and aspirational learner. Each module is designed by members of staff to reflect current debates within their disciplines and is shaped by their areas of research expertise.
Year 1 gives you a solid grounding in global political studies, including an introduction to International Relations, British and American Politics, Human Rights, the struggle for political equality, security studies and terrorism, geopolitics and political philosophy.
In Year 2, you study modules relating to institutions and concepts behind global governance, foreign policy, political leadership and communication, US presidential politics, gender and conflict, liberty and extremism and political and religious themes in the near and Middle East. You also study research methods and have an opportunity for a work placement and study abroad.
Your final year features modules on dealing with political ideologies, security dynamics in the Global South, the politics of resource competition, environmental politics and opportunities to specialise with options relating to social movements, US foreign policy and Russian politics. Having built up an understanding of the core research methods and taught modules, you undertake a dissertation on a topic of your choice; this is a significant piece of independent research supported by expert supervision.
What you need to know
Course start date
September
Location
Winchester campus
Course length
- 3 years full-time
- 6 years part-time
Apply
L240
Typical offer
104-120 points
Fees
From £9,250 pa
Course features
- Develop your knowledge and analytical skills to understand politics at domestic, regional and international levels
- Join a department that has averaged over 95% overall satisfaction since 2013 in National Student Surveys of final-year undergraduate students
- Benefit from small numbers in tutorials, which allow for rewarding discussions and debates and closer interaction with our expert staff
- Pursue your own interests through a wide range of specialist modules, which cover all aspects of Politics and International Relations, in an inclusive and supportive community
Course details
Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.
You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.
In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars etc., you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.
Independent learning
Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.
While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.
Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
- Teaching, learning and assessment: 192 hours
- Independent learning: 1008 hours
Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
- Teaching, learning and assessment: 192 hours
- Independent learning: 1008 hours
Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
- Teaching, learning and assessment: 168 hours
- Independent learning: 1032 hours
*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.
Location
Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester.
Teaching hours
All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.
Assessment
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:
Year 1 (Level 4)*:
- 87% coursework
- 13% written exams
- 0% practical exams
Year 2 (Level 5)*:
- 87% coursework
- 0% written exams
- 13% practical exams
Year 3 (Level 6)*:
- 84% coursework
- 16% written exams
- 0% practical exams
*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.
Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Further information
For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures.
Modules
Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions
Modules
Modules
More information coming soon
More information coming soon
More information coming soon
In Semester 1 students can choose either Option Module A or Option Module C
Option Module A - Middle Eastern and North African Politics
Option Module C - Work Placement
In Semester 2 students can choose either Option Module B or Option Module D
Option Module B - Liberty and Extremism
Option Module D - Gender, Sexual Violence and Politics
Optional
More information coming soon
More information coming soon
More information coming soon
In Semester 1 students can choose either Option Module A or Option Module C
Option Module A - Middle Eastern and North African Politics
Option Module C - Work Placement
In Semester 2 students can choose either Option Module B or Option Module D
Option Module B - Liberty and Extremism
Option Module D - Gender, Sexual Violence and Politics
Modules
This is a dissertation of between 8,000 and 10,000 words on a subject of the students’ choice (subject to approval). Study is primarily student-directed, with regular supervision supplied by tutors teaching in the subject. It is mandatory for Single Honours students; Joint students can choose which field to take their dissertation within.
More information coming soon.
More information coming soon.
In Semester 1 students can choose either option module A Or option module C. Please note option C is only available to those who did not take it at level 5.
Option A - Social Movements and Collective Action
Option C - Middle Eastern and North African Politics
In Semester 2 students can choose EITHER Option Module B OR Option Module D.
Option B - Russian Foreign Policy
Option D - US Foreign Policy
Optional
This is a dissertation of between 8,000 and 10,000 words on a subject of the students’ choice (subject to approval). Study is primarily student-directed, with regular supervision supplied by tutors teaching in the subject. It is mandatory for Single Honours students; Joint students can choose which field to take their dissertation within.
More information coming soon.
More information coming soon.
In Semester 1 students can choose either option module A Or option module C. Please note option C is only available to those who did not take it at level 5.
Option A - Social Movements and Collective Action
Option C - Middle Eastern and North African Politics
In Semester 2 students can choose EITHER Option Module B OR Option Module D.
Option B - Russian Foreign Policy
Option D - US Foreign Policy
Entry requirements
Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:
- A-Levels: BCC-BBB from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points)
- BTEC/CTEC: DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications
- International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4
- T Level: Merit in a T Level
Additionally, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.
In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSE’s are required:
GCSE English Language at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further.
If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on their website which may be of interest.
If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:
- IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
- We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT
If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk or calling +44 (0)1962 827023.
2025 Course Tuition Fees
| UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland |
International |
|
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Year 2 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Year 3 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Total | £27,750 | £50,100 |
| Optional Sandwich Year* | £1,850 | £3,340 |
| Total with Sandwich Year | £29,600 | £53,440 |
Additional tuition fee information
If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2025, the first year will cost you £9,250**. Based on this fee level, the indicative fees for a three-year degree would be £27,750 for UK students.
Remember, you don’t have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year.
UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £77.08 and a 15 credit module is £1,156. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £6,935.
International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £139.14 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.
* Please note that not all courses offer an optional sandwich year.
**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.
Additional costs
As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.
There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS
We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards page.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Our graduates bring a global perspective as well as transferable skills in time management, problem solving and critical thinking to the workplace. They are prepared to address many of the complex issues facing the modern world.
These skills open up a number of career paths to you, including roles in national and local government, the civil and foreign service, interest groups, non-government organisations and charities. You may also find rewarding roles in education, business, the military and media.
The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment or further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021, HESA.
Pre-approved for a Masters
University of Winchester students studying Bachelor Honours degrees are pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible students must apply by the end of March in their final year and meet the entry requirements of their chosen Masters degree.
OUR CAREERS SERVICE
“My degree has helped me in what I want to achieve next, not just the course content but the skills I learnt, such as debating, learning to compromise and working with other people while listening to their opinions and experiences.”
