BA (Hons) International Relations with a Placement Year

Course Overview

Are you curious about how the world works? Do you wonder how we can find a collective response to urgent global issues such as climate change, conflict and warfare, emerging technologies, global inequality, and racism? If so, then you are already on your way to thinking like an international relations student. And studying international relations with us is a sure way to gain a deeper understanding of these global issues.

Our international relations undergraduate degree will help you better understand the dynamics of a constantly changing world. You’ll explore global issues and theories, learn how to challenge, collect and analyze information, construct arguments, and communicate your ideas in different ways. This will be done through core modules providing you with theoretical and applied foundations in international studies, as well as through a large choice of optional modules helping you tailor your course to your own interests and goals. On BA International Relations with a Placement Year, you’ll normally spend 9-12 months of your third year in a placement, gaining invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice.

At UEA, you’ll be taught by cutting-edge specialists in International Relations. You’ll develop the ability to think critically about regional, national, and international politics from Europe to the Indo-Pacific, to understand international issues such as combating climate change and the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and to interrogate structures such as the historical racial hierarchy of the modern world.

Our BA International Relations with a Placement Year course prepares you for a variety of career paths in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Your personal adviser and dedicated School career adviser work with you to help you obtain the knowledge and skills you need to pursue your passion and make a difference. We also offer opportunities to take part in study trips, internships and placements, as well as an extended period of study abroad.

This course is open to

UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.

We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.

You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.

English and Mathematics

All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4

In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics

We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.

Typical International Entry Requirements

A levels

BBB

International Baccalaureate

31 points overall.

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.

INTO UEA

If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) 

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study: 

Pre-sessional English at INTO UEA 

Academic English at INTO UEA 

Deferred Entry

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year.  We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application. 

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) 

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study: 

Pre-sessional English at INTO UEA 

Academic English at INTO UEA 

Employability

Our degree in International Relations will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. You'll graduate with a wide range of transferable skills such as research, critical thinking, analysis, and team working.

Popular career destinations for our graduates include the civil and foreign service, local government, the charity sector, international organisations, teaching, business, and the armed forces. This course also provides a good foundation for further studies at Masters level.

We work alongside you to develop your career skills at every stage of the course. UEA Career Central offers guidance, workshops and experiences that enable students to explore possible career pathways and the realities of job progression.

Examples of careers you could enter include: 

• International organisations 
• Political careers, such as working in Parliament 
• Charities and NGOs 
• Think tanks and other research careers 
• Civil service 
• Armed forces 

Discover more on our Careers webpages.