3 years or 4 years with professional placement.
Full-time: £9,250 for the first year of study*
Full-time: £16,240 for the first year of study **
Full-time: £16,240 for the first year of study **
L240
From September 2020
Northampton Square
The International Politics BSc (Hons) degree is for students who want to explore contemporary global issues and deepen their understanding of the rapid social and political changes affecting the world. This up-to-date, thought-provoking curriculum, will enable you to learn how governments, intergovernmental organisations, transnational movements, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and multinationals influence global politics. You will also study international organisations as policy-making structures and will examine what kind of ideas, ethical concerns, and regional considerations shape global governance and key decisions around, for instance, conflict, peace, or economic gains. Crucially, you will develop your analytical skills to examine and critically assess complex issues, contested concepts, and debates.
As a result, this degree will prepare you for a diverse range of postgraduate study options and career possibilities – from the Civil Service, NGOs, diplomacy, journalism and teaching, to international law and the private and corporate sector.
What roles do governments, transnational actors, intergovernmental organisations, international NGOs and multinationals play in global politics? How do they complete for power and respond to emerging challenges affecting societies, nations and institutions around the world, from security, to migration, to social justice? How do they mobilise support for their positions on global issues? How do global, social and political relationships, as well as ideas, affect local, regional, economic, cultural, religious, historical and political differences and vice versa?
The BSc (Hons) in International Politics enables you to obtain the skills and knowledge to answer the many questions about our fast-changing world, and will help you to:
To prepare you for a wide range of future career and postgraduate study possibilities, you will benefit from our location at the heart of a vibrant cosmopolitan city and within a department with a strong international focus, enthusiastic approachable staff with close connections with practitioners in the policy world, and exciting opportunities for work placement and studying abroad.
The logic connecting the three years of study is to lay the conceptual and historical foundations for the study of international politics in year one. Then, gradually, you will build up your specialist knowledge, in the following two years, by understanding how specific actors and institutions operate, how ideas shaping global politics emerge and are contested, and exploring the multifaceted political dynamics affecting specific issues and regions of the world.
We welcome Access course applications from 'mature' students. These applicants will be considered on the basis of their own merits. Please be aware that Access students are often asked for further information to supplement their application, this is normally in the form of a questionnaire.
A typical offer for an Access applicant would be: Pass 60 credits, 45 Level 3 including at least 27 at distinction and the remaining 18 at merit. The Access qualification should be supplemented by at least a grade 4 (C) in Mathematics and English Language at GCSE.
We accept a wide range of international qualifications for direct entry to our programmes.
Typical offers for international and other qualifications
You can apply for a course here before you sit your final school exams (we would recommend applying in the October/November of the year before you wish to start). Any offer we decide to make you will be conditional on you achieving the appropriate score in your school leaving qualifications, in conjunction with your English language qualification.
If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to take a foundation programme first. These programmes are designed to prepare students for entry to City's undergraduate courses.
INTO City, University of London offers pathway programmes in a range of academic subjects and English language to help you prepare for degree-level study at City. You’ll learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre.
Learn more about the International Foundation in Humanities and Law. and the International Foundation programme in Business and Economics with Society and Culture
INTO City courses are validated by City, University of London providing assurance of the quality and standards of education.
City works in partnership with KIC London to provide a range of preparatory courses for international students. KIC London courses offer comprehensive support to students - including regular one-to-one tuition. Students who successfully complete the KIC London Foundation course at the required level have a guaranteed progression route to City, University of London degree courses.
We accept students transferring from other universities for second year entry on a case-by case basis. If you wish to apply for second-year entry please be aware that you must:
If you feel you meet these requirements then please apply through UCAS as early as possible (transfer students normally apply when their first semester exam results are published) and we can then assess your eligibility. Please be aware you will need to select your 'point of entry' as year two.
Please note: For direct second-year entrants the overall degree classification will be based on the marks obtained at City, University of London only, with the weighting of 33/67 between the second and third year. Marks previously obtained will not be used in the degree classification.
On your application please include:
This information will enable us to make a more informed decision as to whether the content that you have studied is to an appropriate level for level-two entry. Please be aware that you must meet all of the above requirements, otherwise your application is unlikely to be successful.
If you are currently studying in an overseas institution and have any questions about applying for 2nd year entry, please contact international@city.ac.uk.
IELTS: 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
PTE Academic: 59 overall with a minimum of 59 in each component.
Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.
International Students (EEA and Non EEA) coming to study in the UK, may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study. The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:
For more information see our main Visa page.
Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.
You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City University London is C60.
Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.
UCAS has implemented an ‘invisibility of choices’ policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.
You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £23 application fee. If you want to apply to City, University of London only, you can make a single choice application at a reduced rate of £12.
Your application for entry in September 2021 should arrive at UCAS between 1st September 2020 and 15th January 2021. Applications that arrive after 15th January 2021 will be considered only at City’s discretion.
When your application is acknowledged by UCAS, you will be sent a personal identification number so that you can access your records via Track on the UCAS website.
For general enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office:
Email: ugadmissions@city.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.
If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, please use the contact details provided on the course page.
Website: www.ucas.com
Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ
Telephone: from inside the UK 0871 468 0468; from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468
For callers with hearing difficulties: from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468; from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.
* The fee for this course in 2020/21 was £9,250 for each year of study. Fees for students commencing study in 2021/22 are to be confirmed.
** In 2020/21 the fee was £15,920 for the first year of study. Fees for students commencing study in 2021/22 are to be confirmed. The institution reserves the right to increase your tuition fees annually to take account of the institution's increased costs of delivering educational services. The increase will normally be 2% but this is kept under review with reference to the RPI. If the institution intends to increase your tuition fees you will be advised of this alongside the published entry fee.
You will find a wide variety of funding sources and options available for the International Politics BSc (Hons) at City. To help you fund your studies, our award-winning Student Centre will provide you with financial advice and support
Get the latest information on funding options, financial support and typical living costs.
Future Finance offers students loans of between £2,500 and £40,000 to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. All students and courses are considered. All loans are subject to credit checks and approval for further details please visit the City Finance website.
Find out how UK/EU students can receive £2,000 in their first year of study.
Watch this video to find out more about International Politics at City
At City, you will have the opportunity to gain invaluable work experience and apply your knowledge and skills in the real-world with our work placement scheme (based on competitive selection). You can spend four years completing your degree by undertaking a work placement between the second and third year of your degree.
By choosing to complete a placement, you will graduate with a "BSc in International Politics with Integrated Professional Training".
As a student on the International Politics course you may have opportunities to study abroad. Previous students have taken up study abroad opportunities at a range of universities:
We operate a Guarantee Scheme for first year undergraduates which means you will be offered place in one of City's affiliated Halls if you meet the Scheme's criteria.
Read more about our undergraduate halls.
Our Accommodation Service can also help you find private accommodation.
We offer a free language course for City, University of London students.
Course timetables are normally available from July and can be accessed from our timetabling pages. These pages also provide timetables for the current academic year, though this information should be viewed as indicative and details may vary from year to year.
Please note that all academic timetables are subject to change.
We offer an extensive support network during your time here at City, University of London – from Learning Support (including disability support) and counselling to financial and career advice – leaving you free to enjoy every opportunity campus life has to offer.
Find out more about the different types of student support available.
Chat to our current students and read their blogs to gain an insight into studying at City and learn more about our undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
To make sure that you can begin or continue your studies with us during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have reviewed and adapted our courses to ensure a safe learning environment for our students and staff. We have modified the way some of our courses are delivered, with many programmes being made available online.
Contact us to find out more about how our programmes will be delivered.
We teach through a combination of:
Lecturing and teaching is supported by a personal tutorial, mentoring and supervision system. We also arrange organised research seminar and policy series with inspiring outside speakers – both professional and academic through our Centre for International Policy Studies (CIPS). The department also encourages the initiatives (talks, film screenings, etc.) of City’s Politics Student Society , which is run independently by student volunteers through the Student Union.
In addition, you will undertake extensive reading and independent study. This will enable you to broaden and deepen your understanding of the topics and concepts covered in lectures and to learn how to use the library resources. You will also have time to prepare for the interactive sessions and practical workshops, where you will be invited to ask questions and participate in in-depth discussions with other students and teaching staff.
You can follow our staff’s activity through their Twitter feed: @cityintpolitics
Assessment is by coursework (assessed essays and assignments), unseen examinations and your final year project.
The balance of assessment by coursework (assessed essays and assignments) unseen examinations and a final year project will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2017/18 entry is as follows:
Your degree consists of three parts, corresponding to the three years of the full-time degree programme.
Part One: Certificate of Higher Education in International Politics
In the first year, you will understand the underlying concepts and principles associated with the study of international politics and interpret these within the context of your practice.
Part Two: Diploma of Higher Education in International Politics
In the second year, you will build on your previous knowledge and experience from Part One. You will develop skills of enquiry in your subject and the different approaches to problem solving.
Part Three: Degree in Higher Education in International Politics
In the third year, you will develop a coherent, systematic and detailed knowledge of the study of international politics. You will be able to develop techniques for practice, drawing on research and scholarship, demonstrating your role as a reflective practitioner.
Part One is made up of 120 credit (all modules are 15 credits).
The first year of the BSc programme introduces competing theories of international politics and global political economy and how power has transformed in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
You will take six compulsory core modules, which cover the key topics for the degree on theory, global power and issues, and research methods. The remaining 30 credits are chosen from a range of elective modules offered in global political economy, the research scholars programme, other Social Sciences disciplines and the Languages Department.
Part Two consists of modules that make up 120 credits. You will take one core module, plus seven electives of which at least four from a list of IP core elective modules (all modules are 15 credits).
The core module covers advanced theory, and the core elective modules allow you to specialise in security studies, foreign policy analysis or religion and social movements. Elective modules provide you with further opportunity to specialise in different areas of international politics.
Part three is made up of 120 credits. You will take six modules: one core module, which is your dissertation (45 credits), and five elective modules (total equivalent of 75 credits). Of the five elective modules, up to 30 credits can come from outside the International Politics Department.
The final year core requirement is a dissertation on a topic of your choice, working one-to-one with your supervisor. The elective modules will give you further opportunity to specialise in different areas of international politics and cognate disciplines.
Programme core module:
Elective modules – choose 75 credits (all modules are 15 credits each):
The programme specification contains more information on how the course is organised, the requirements for progression for each part and credits required for awards.
Most contact hours will take the form of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. The number will decrease as you progress and you become more able to direct your own learning. Approximate study time based on 2017/18 entry is as follows:
This degree will equip you with a strong theoretical and practical understanding of the issues surrounding international politics, enabling you to develop highly valuable, transferable skills. As a result, you will find a wide range of career and postgraduate study options open to you.
As a graduate of City's BSc (Hons) International Politics degree, you will be suited to a wide range of career options such as:
Our graduates have found proactive roles in a number of companies and organisations, including:
Find out how studying at City, University of London helps you to improve your job prospects
Find out more about City and all our undergraduate degree programmes.
