BA in Politics and International Relations
The study of politics and international relations combines two fascinating and complementary disciplines. Politics is a rapidly evolving field. It touches every area of our lives, covering issues from national security and inequalities in society to the climate crisis.
With international relations you’ll develop an understanding of many of the relationships that shape our complex and interconnected world. The degree will equip you with a systematic and rigorous understanding of the two disciplines while developing many transferable skills that are valued by employers.
Studies are structured around three main themes: political thought, political institutions and international relations. Following a general introduction, you’ll begin to tailor the course to your interests and aspirations with optional modules in areas such as security, interdependence, crises and conflict, comparative politics, democratic practice and the impact of global politics on the environment.
You can further tailor your course by applying to add a year-long work placement, or an international dimension with an overseas study year. If you are selected this will increase the course from three years to four.
The School of Government and International Affairs is home to several research centres and institutes, and many lecturers are actively engaged in research. This innovative work is fed into the BA, so you can be sure the curriculum is informed by contemporary political debate.
The critical analytical and research skills that underpin the course, coupled with a deep understanding of global current affairs and the connections between nations, ruling parties and the business sector, will put you in a strong position to pursue a career in social policy research, journalism, academia, the charity sector, the Civil Service, the Foreign Office and more.
Intakes
- Jan
- Sep
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Our courses are informed by both academic researchers and our links with industry. This specialist expertise develops the knowledge and skills that our students need to succeed in a competitive job market.
We offer a series of employment-related events which include talks from visiting speakers who explore the range of careers open to politics and international relations students, and offer advice about applying for jobs. We also host a regular Civil Service Fast Stream event in which Durham alumni give first-hand advice about how to excel in the recruitment process.
Graduates are equipped with an academic and practical skill set that will take them into a wide range of fields including local and national government, newspaper and broadcast journalism, the charity sector, business and finance, publishing, law, manufacturing, teaching and academia, and the armed forces. They have gone on to achieve great success in the political arena and beyond, with roles including Chief Operating Officer for the GB Equality and Human Rights Commission, Head of Defence Inquests and Disclosure in the Ministry of Defence and Political Officer in the British Embassy Mogadishu.
PSW Opportunity
- 2 Years PSW is applicable after completing a minimum duration of 9 months course (like- Undergraduate, Postgraduate Level)
- 3 Years PSW is applicable after completing PhD level courses.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
- Standard XII with an average score of 90% (best of 4 academic subjects) with any prerequisite subjects at 87% or higher.
- Standard XII with an average score of 87% (best of 4 academic subjects) with any prerequisite subjects at 85% or higher.
- Standard XII with an average score of 85% (best of 4 academic subjects) with any prerequisite subjects at 85% or higher.
- Standard XII with an average score of 84% (best of 4 academic subjects) with any prerequisite subjects at 85% or higher.
- Standard XII with an average score of 83% (best of 4 academic subjects) with any prerequisite subjects at 85% or higher.
- The IELTS requirement for Durham University depends on the program you're applying to:
- MBA program
- The IELTS requirement for the Durham MBA program is 7.0 overall, with no element below 6.5.
- International Foundation Year
- The IELTS requirement for the International Foundation Year at Durham University is 5.5 overall, with 5.5 in reading and writing, and a minimum of 5.0 in all other skills.
- Other programs
- If English is not your first language, you may need an IELTS score of 7.0 or above (with no element below 6.5) to apply to other programs at Durham University.
- The IELTS or Pearson Test of English (PTE) test must be no more than two years old at the start of the program.
- Durham University also offers an International Study Centre that provides English language preparation for students to prepare for their degree at Durham City Campus.
- Course Code: L253
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
- Duration: 03 Year
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Total Tuition Fee:
74250 GBP
Average Cost of Living: 13632 GBP /year
Application Fee: N/A