Politics and International Relations BA (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queen Mary University of London

Program Overview

If you’re curious about how politics shapes our lives — from decisions made in Westminster to events unfolding on the world stage — this degree is designed for you. At Queen Mary, you’ll study the big political ideas, learn how global systems work, and gain the skills to analyse and debate the issues that really matter.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year is all about building a strong foundation. You’ll explore core ideas through modules like Thinking Politically: Introduction to Concepts, Theories and Ideologies, Introduction to International Relations, and Political Analysis. Alongside these, you’ll get the chance to look at British politics up close or dive into Global Histories. It’s the year where you learn how to think like a political scientist.

Year 2
By second year, you’ll move into deeper debates. You’ll take modules such as Modern Political Thought or International Relations Theory and also get trained in Social Science Methodologies. Beyond that, you can start shaping your degree with options like US Politics, Comparative Politics, or Gender and Feminisms in World Politics. This is when you start to specialise and sharpen your research skills.

Year 3
In your final year, the focus shifts to independence and depth. You’ll work on a Dissertation in Politics or International Relations, carrying out original research on a topic you’re passionate about. To support that, you’ll choose from specialist modules such as Environmental Politics, Migration and the Politics of Belonging, Populism: A Global Perspective, or US Foreign Policy. This year really pulls together everything you’ve learned and prepares you for life after graduation.

Focus Areas

Political theory, international relations, comparative and regional politics, research methods, global justice, activism and public policy

Learning Outcomes

Critical analysis of political ideas and institutions, ability to use research methods, understanding of global issues like security, migration and inequality, independent research skills, effective communication, working across cultural and regional contexts

Professional Alignment

This isn’t just a degree for the classroom — it’s closely connected to real-world careers. Students often go on to work in government, international organisations, NGOs, research and media. Queen Mary also offers study abroad opportunities and strong careers support to help you gain experience and confidence before you graduate.

Reputation

Queen Mary is consistently recognised for its strong teaching and research in politics and international relations. Graduates are highly employable, and the university’s London location — with links to the Mile End Institute and major organisations — gives you an advantage when building your career.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the best things about studying Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary is that you don’t just learn from books — you get to experience how politics works in practice. From internships in Parliament to working with London’s civil society organisations, you’ll build skills that employers look for: confidence in presenting your ideas, the ability to analyse complex issues, and the experience of working directly in political and community settings. Plus, you’ll benefit from Queen Mary’s research centres and institutes, where the conversations happening are the same ones shaping policy and debate at national and international levels.

Here’s how that comes to life during your degree:

Civil Society Internship (final year): Spend two days a week working inside a London-based organisation involved in activism, community organising, or campaigning. You’ll apply your academic learning directly to real projects and reflect on the experience as part of your studies.
Parliamentary Internship (final year): Work in the office of a Member of Parliament — either in Westminster or their constituency. You’ll gain insider knowledge of how legislation, policy and representation actually function, while keeping a reflective journal that links practice to theory.
Interactive learning in class: It’s not just lectures — you’ll take part in group projects, debates, simulations, and presentations, so you’re constantly developing communication and teamwork skills.
Specialist modules with a practical edge: Choose options like Parliamentary Studies or Civil Society: Democracy, Activism and Social Change, which combine classroom learning with hands-on experience.
Access to institutes and events: Through the Mile End Institute, you’ll attend high-profile public talks, debates, and networking events. The Centre for European Research, a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, connects you to cutting-edge research and international networks.
Facilities and resources: You’ll have full use of Queen Mary’s libraries, study spaces, and digital tools — giving you access to everything from parliamentary papers to the latest political science research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

This degree doesn’t just prepare you to understand the world — it prepares you to work in it. Our graduates go on to roles like policy analyst, parliamentary assistant, NGO officer, or communications strategist, with many building exciting careers in government, international organisations, think tanks, and even the private sector. Thanks to the balance of theory, research training and practical internships, you’ll graduate with both knowledge and real-world experience:

Dedicated careers support: You’ll have access to Queen Mary’s Careers & Enterprise team and a Careers Liaison Tutor within the School of Politics and International Relations. They’ll guide you with tailored CV feedback, interview practice, and help in finding internships or graduate roles.
Strong outcomes: Around 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing this degree.
Competitive salaries: Politics & IR graduates from Queen Mary typically earn a median salary of £28,000 just over a year after graduation, with many seeing steady growth as they move up in their careers.
High-profile connections: Students have gone on to work with organisations like the House of Commons, UK Home Office, PwC, Labour Party, and international NGOs such as AMAR.
Lasting value of your degree: As part of a Russell Group university, your qualification carries long-term weight. Combined with placements, networking through the Mile End Institute, and access to London’s political scene, it’s a strong foundation for any career involving politics, policy, or international affairs.

Further Academic Progression

If you want to continue your studies, you’ll have plenty of options. Many graduates choose a Master’s degree in areas like International Relations, Public Policy, Security Studies or Global Governance. Others move into research programmes (MRes or PhD), often linked to Queen Mary’s specialist research centres. You could also take shorter postgraduate qualifications to build specialist skills in areas like data analysis, development, or conflict resolution.