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International Relations, Politics and Security Studies

BA (Hons)

Typical offer for 2025
Duration
UCAS code
Start date
Location

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).

Foundation Year entry

If you are a UK student and do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you may be nominated on our Foundation Year in Clinical Sciences and Medicine programme.

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]

Teaching, 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.

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: £9,535
  • 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.

Postgraduate Master's Loan

If you live in England you may be able to apply for a special Government-funded Master's Loan to help pay your tuition fees and living costs.
You don't have to pay the loan back until you're earning a certain amount of money.

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.

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

Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.