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International Relations, Politics and Security Studies

BA (Hons)

Typical offer for 2025
Duration
UCAS code

Suitable for applications.

Overview

This innovative programme will give you a rigorous understanding of international relations and politics, and of conflict and security issues - globally and regionally across the world.

While placing international developments within historical context, it focusses particularly on recent and contemporary processes, trends and problems: examining efforts to respond to international and regional challenges in the spheres of policy and practice.

The programme combines in-depth academic training in key concepts, theories and case-studies, alongside a structured process of engagement with contemporary debates and experience by policy-makers, diplomats and practitioners. You will have opportunities to learn beyond the classroom through political simulation exercises, field trips and specialist workshops creating new bridges between academic and practical dimensions of the field.

This programme is delivered by the Division of Peace Studies and International Development, an internationally recognised centre for excellence in teaching, research, and policy engagement on International Relations, Peace, Conflict and Security issues.

Bradford is a beautiful place where a lot of people connect together from diverse backgrounds. It’s a place where you can share your happiness, your sorrows, just come together as a community. I’m very glad that I’m actually here. Bradford’s made me feel like I’m at home. Maria, BA (Hons) International Relations, Politics and Security Studies

Entry requirements

Typical offer - 112 UCAS tariff points, to include GCSE English at grade C/grade 4 or above.

 

A levels

BBC - there are no specific subject requirements.

T levels

Merit - there are no specific subject requirements.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM — there are no specific subject requirements.

Applicants on Access Programmes

We accept relevant Access (e.g. Social Science 3) to meet the 112 UCAS tariff points.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

112 UCAS tariff points to include Higher Level grade 3 or Standard Level grade 4 in English

Plus minimum of

GCSE English at grade C or 4 (equivalents accepted).

English language requirements

The standard University requirement is IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test less than 5.0 (or equivalent).

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

Foundation Year entry

If you are a UK student and do not meet the entry requirements for this course, our Foundation Year has a route to International Relations, Politics and Security Studies BA (Hons).

Foundation Year entry requirements

72 UCAS points or equivalent plus an English Language qualification equivalent to GCSE Grade 4.

Study and progression requirements

Pass each module and achieve a programme average of at least 40%.

You will study the relevant core modules plus five optional modules.

If you are an international student and do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry onto this course, you may be interested in our International College.

Transferring from another university

If you are currently studying at another university and would like to transfer to the University of Bradford, this course accepts students into the second or third year. This is called advanced entry.

Applications for advanced entry will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must include an official transcript (not a screenshot of a portal), all module descriptors, and relevant qualifications. Module descriptors must include learning outcomes.

Applications must be submitted through UCAS and the required documents emailed along with your UCAS Personal ID no later than 31 August prior to the course starting in September. Relevant documents should be emailed to [email protected]

What you will study

All module information is for 2023 entry, and is subject to change.

Learning and assessment

You’ll learn through a mixture of lectures, directed study, discussion and group work. The programme also includes study trips, and an away-day crisis simulation exercise.

You can tailor your studies to emerging areas of interest in the second and third years through optional modules and the final dissertation project, and will be supported to select your own projects, case-studies and topics throughout your studies.

Outside of modules you will undertake a reflective learning journal with the support of your Personal Academic Tutor, through which you will identify, and take, opportunities to develop all the skills outlined in the learning outcomes.

Assessment takes place through a well-developed range of formative and summative tasks designed to help students develop and demonstrate their understandings and skills.

Official programme specification

Our facilities

We bring together key areas of today's legal and business worlds, setting you up for a great career.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2025

  • UK: £9,250
  • International: £20,538

Additional costs

  • Africa study visit (optional 20-credit module) - approximate cost: £1,500
  • Northern Ireland study visit (non-credit bearing) - approximate cost: £700

 

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

On graduation you’ll have the professional competencies you need to launch a career in:

  • national and local government
  • global governance institutions
  • research institutes
  • international, national and local development agencies
  • environmental advocacy and policy work
  • private sector strategy and governance for sustainability
  • NGOs

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Student with back towards the camera, arms spread, overlooking a sea. The student is wearing a shirt saying 'See the world'.

Study abroad

The programme enables student exchanges and also a study year abroad; department & staff have strong international networks and university partnerships to help facilitate.

You'll also have the option of an Africa study visit in your final year.

Study support

Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally. 

We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment. 

Our support services include: 

  • Personal tutors 
  • Disability services 
  • Counselling services 
  • MyBradford student support centres 
  • The Students’ Union 
  • Chaplaincy and faith advisers 
  • An on-campus nursery 
  • Halls wardens 

We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus. 

Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills. 

Research

We are one of world’s oldest university centres for the study of peace and international development; The Division of Peace Studies and International Development has a world-class reputation for research, and we're also one of the UK’s leading politics departments.

You'll be taught by academics and practitioners with a global profile, who advise governments, international organisations and nongovernmental organisations around the world based on cutting edge research on critical contemporary issues.

Current research in Peace Studies and International Development is wide-ranging and multidisciplinary. It has an applied focus on policy-relevant problems relating to the process of economic development, conflict resolution and peace-building, as well as international relations and security studies.

Recent and ongoing research includes a focus on poverty and social justice, microfinance, sustainable livelihoods, capability approach and human development, governance and institutional change, human resource management, application of cost benefit approaches and industrial and trade policy. Work on the water sector is internationally recognised as a key area of our expertise.

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.