International Relations and Politics

International relations and politics addresses the questions that shape the world we live in: why states cooperate or go to war, what makes democracy work or fail, how power is exercised across borders, and what international institutions can and cannot achieve. It is a discipline that requires you to engage seriously with different ways of understanding the world, to evaluate evidence critically, and to reason carefully about situations where the facts are contested and the stakes are high.

At the University of Portsmouth, this three-year, full-time programme gives you the conceptual tools to make sense of the forces shaping nations and the global system. You will explore what lies behind war, conflict, and collaboration between states, what democracy, freedom, and equality mean to people in different contexts, and how international norms, law, and institutions influence the behaviour of states and non-state actors. A sandwich placement year is built into the programme, giving you professional experience in a relevant context, alongside a year abroad option and work placement opportunities that connect you with the real world of politics and international affairs before you graduate.

Portsmouth's location on the south coast, with its proximity to London and cross-Channel connections, adds a practical dimension to the international dimension of the degree. Graduates develop the analytical, research, and communication skills that are valued in a wide range of careers, including the civil service, diplomacy, international organisations, journalism, think tanks, the charity sector, public affairs, and policy research. Many continue to postgraduate study in international relations, political science, public policy, or law, building on the rigorous foundation the undergraduate degree provides.