BA Politics and International Relations and Philosophy

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Royal Holloway University of London

Program Overview

Do you enjoy debating world issues but also like to question ideas, beliefs, and ethics behind them? Royal Holloway’s Politics, International Relations and Philosophy degree lets you do both — you study how countries make decisions, why global events happen, and the philosophical ideas that influence them.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Discovering the Basics
Your first year is all about understanding how the world works and why people think the way they do. You’ll study political thinkers in Classic and Contemporary Readings in Politics and International Relations, and in philosophy modules like Problems of Knowledge and Introduction to Ancient/Modern Philosophy, you’ll start questioning reality, truth, and human reasoning.

Year 2 – Connecting Ideas with Real-World Issues
In the second year, everything becomes more focused and thought-provoking. Politics modules like International Relations Theory and Contemporary Political Theory help you unpack ideas such as power, freedom, democracy, and global conflict. Meanwhile, in philosophy, Mind and World and European Philosophy: Kant to Hegel push you to explore consciousness, morality, and how we understand our world.

Year 3 – Making It Your Own
Your final year gives you the freedom to specialise. You’ll work on a dissertation in Politics/IR or Philosophy, choosing a topic that genuinely interests you — it could be migration, ethics, war, human rights, identity, or even AI. You’ll also choose from options like Refugees and Migration in World Politics, Radical Political Theory, European Union Public Policy, or Practical Ethics to shape your degree toward what you care about most.

Focus areas (string): Global politics, political theory, ethics, international relations, philosophy of mind, European political thought, migration, and human rights.

Learning outcomes (string): Graduates will be able to think critically, debate complex political and philosophical issues, write and research independently, and apply theory to real-world problems with logic and empathy.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Although this isn’t a profession-specific degree like law or engineering, it prepares you for careers that need strong thinkers and decision-makers — such as government, diplomacy, public policy, international organisations, journalism, NGOs, law, consulting, and research.

Reputation (employability and rankings):

Top 2 in the UK for Politics research quality (REF 2021).
11th in the UK for Politics – Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
98% student satisfaction in Philosophy teaching (National Student Survey 2024).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the best things about studying Politics, International Relations and Philosophy at Royal Holloway is that it isn’t just theory. You learn how politics shapes real life — and philosophy helps you think more clearly about justice, ethics, power and human behaviour. The department makes sure you don’t just study these ideas but actually experience them through research projects, debates, internships and real policy environments.

You’ll be based in the McCrea Building, where the Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy is located. It has its own student study centre, small seminar rooms for debates and tutorials, a specialised politics/philosophy library section, and spaces where students work with academics on research.

Rather than spending three years just writing essays, you’ll be encouraged to research, present, debate, use political data and — if interested — even work with MPs, NGOs or local government.

How You’ll Learn Beyond the Classroom

Here’s a breakdown of real hands-on learning you’ll experience:

Research-Based Learning from Year 1
- Modules like Researching Politics and International Relations: Methods, Techniques and Analysis teach you how to conduct surveys, analyse government data, interpret political speeches and apply real research tools.
- You’ll learn both qualitative (interviews, discourse analysis) and quantitative techniques (statistics, data interpretation).
Internships and Work Placements
- The department supports students who want placements with Members of Parliament (MPs), think tanks, charities, international organisations, and local councils.
- Past students have secured placements in Westminster, human rights NGOs, and political media teams.
Student-Led Societies and Simulations
- The Politics and International Relations Society (PIRSoc) organises Model United Nations sessions, debates, international study trips, and guest speaker events with diplomats, journalists and campaigners.
- Students can take part in Model UN conferences both in London and abroad (New York, Geneva).
Philosophy in Practice
- Philosophy modules are not just theoretical — you discuss modern issues like artificial intelligence ethics, free speech, migration, war, mental health, and climate responsibility.
- Small-group tutorials allow one-on-one discussions with lecturers.
Research Centres and Academic Events
- You can attend departmental research seminars, workshops and guest lectures via centres such as:
  - Centre for Global Politics and Development
  - Centre for Continental Philosophy
  - Centre for Politics, Philosophy and Law
- These often include round-table discussions, academic debates and policy workshops.
Specialist Study Facilities
- Located in the McCrea Building, you’ll have access to:
  - A dedicated Politics and International Relations student library area
  - Seminar rooms for debates and philosophy discussions
  - Computer suites and study areas used for research and coursework
  - Academic advising spaces and staff research offices

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this degree don’t just leave with knowledge — they leave with the ability to think critically, debate confidently, understand global issues, and make ethical decisions. That’s why students from Politics, International Relations, and Philosophy go into careers such as Policy Analyst, Diplomatic Services Officer, Public Affairs Consultant, Civil Service Fast Streamer, Journalist, Researcher, or NGO Project Officer. Employers value this degree because it teaches you how to argue, question, analyse data, and understand how the world really works.

Royal Holloway makes sure you’re not figuring out your future alone — you’re supported from your very first year. Here’s how the university helps shape your career path:

Dedicated Careers & Employability Service
- 1:1 career coaching, CV and interview clinics, LinkedIn workshops, and practice assessment centres.
- Exclusive access to the Careers Portal, employer webinars, internship listings, and networking events with alumni working in government, law, journalism, and NGOs.
Real Graduate Success & Salary Outcomes
- 85% of graduates from Politics-related programmes are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation (DiscoverUni).
- The average salary is around £26,000 after 15 months, and Royal Holloway graduates overall earn around £2,000 more than the London average in the early career stage.
- Graduates have gone on to work at the UK Parliament, the United Nations, BBC, Deloitte, Civil Service, Amnesty International, local councils, media outlets, and think tanks.
Professional Exposure & Industry Links
- The department offers a Politics in Action placement scheme where students gain work experience with MPs, local councils, human rights organisations, NGOs, and political media teams in Westminster.
- Guest talks, policy workshops, and networking events are held by departments and centres such as the Centre for Global Politics and Development and the Centre for Continental Philosophy.
Long-Term Value of the Degree
- While there’s no formal accreditation, this degree is deeply respected across sectors because of the transferable skills it builds — argumentation, ethics, negotiation, analysis, and diplomacy.
- Employers frequently seek humanities and political science graduates for roles where judgment, writing, public speaking, and ethical reasoning are essential.
Graduate Career Paths Include:
✔ Policy and Public Affairs (UK Civil Service, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UN agencies)
✔ Journalism, Broadcasting & Political Media (BBC, The Guardian, Political Research)
✔ Law, Government and Diplomacy (Government advisory roles, Think Tanks, Embassy work)
✔ NGOs and International Development (Human Rights, Migration, Climate Advocacy, Charities)

Further Academic Progression:

If you’re considering postgraduate study after this degree, you’ll have strong foundations for:

Master’s degrees such as MA International Relations, MA Political Philosophy, MSc Public Policy, MA Ethics & Contemporary Philosophy, or MSc Diplomacy & Global Governance.
Law conversion (PGDL) or International Human Rights Law for students planning a legal career.
Research degrees (MPhil/PhD) in Political Theory, Global Studies, Philosophy, Ethics, Migration, or Conflict Studies.
International postgraduate pathways in diplomacy, security studies, development studies, or philosophy at universities in the UK, Europe, or the US.