Politics and International Relations

Politics and international relations together examine the structures and processes through which power is organised, exercised and contested, both within states and between them. Politics focuses on how governments work, how policies are made, how parties and citizens interact, and how democratic and non-democratic systems differ. International relations extends this to the global stage, asking how states, international organisations, non-governmental bodies and other actors navigate a world without a single governing authority.

Together they give you a sophisticated understanding of the forces that shape public life at every scale.

This three-year full-time programme at the University of the West of England, Bristol takes an applied approach, emphasising the relationship between theory, policy and practice in political and global affairs. You will engage with political theory and ideologies, comparative government, foreign policy analysis, international security, global governance and contemporary international issues. A sandwich year gives you the chance to gain substantial professional experience before your final year, and the possibility of studying abroad adds an international dimension to your academic development.

Work placement opportunities throughout the programme reinforce the applied character of the degree, helping you develop the professional skills and contextual understanding that employers value.

The skills you build across this degree are highly transferable: critical analysis, research, argumentation, writing, and the ability to understand complex systems and communicate clearly about them. These are sought after across a wide range of professional contexts.

Graduates typically move into careers in politics, public policy, the civil service, international organisations, NGOs, journalism, law, diplomacy, think-tanks and advocacy. Many also work in the private sector, where political analysis and an understanding of regulatory environments are increasingly valued. Postgraduate study in politics, international relations, public policy, law or security studies is a common next step.