International Relations, BA (Hons) With a Year Abroad

At Swansea, studying International Relations with a Year Abroad isn’t just about books and theory — you’ll be out in the real world, testing your knowledge and gaining the kind of experience that makes your CV stand out. Whether it’s debating global issues, spending a year overseas, or working directly with politicians, the programme is built to give you both confidence and practical skills.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• In your first year, you’ll have the chance to apply for a highly competitive internship with the Welsh Parliament (Senedd Cymru), where you spend one day a week working alongside an elected member — a rare opportunity to see politics in action while you study.

• In your final year, you can take the Welsh Assembly Placement Scheme, giving you extended hands-on experience in governance and policymaking.

• You’ll also get the chance to study abroad for a semester or a full year in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, or the USA — immersing yourself in another political culture while continuing your degree.

• The British Parliamentary Studies module takes you directly into the world of UK politics, co-taught with Members of Parliament and including a visit to the House of Commons.

• Swansea’s Employability Academy and the Swansea Paid Internship Network (SPIN) are there to help you secure internships, placements, and even paid roles during your degree.

• Regular guest lectures and workshops bring in diplomats, policymakers, and NGO leaders, so you learn directly from professionals in the field.

• On the academic side, Swansea’s dedicated subject librarians and digital research tools will help you sharpen your independent study and dissertation skills — crucial for both academic and career success.

This degree sets you up for careers where global awareness, critical thinking, and policy expertise really matter. Many Swansea graduates go on to roles such as policy analyst, international officer or diplomat, NGO or humanitarian project coordinator, and communications or public affairs specialist. Because the course includes real-world experiences like placements and a year abroad, you’ll leave with much more than theory — you’ll have practical skills and experiences that employers recognise.

Here’s how Swansea supports your next step:

• You’ll get tailored career support through the Careers and Employability Team — everything from one-to-one guidance to employer networking events and interview coaching.

• The Swansea Paid Internship Network (SPIN) helps you secure paid internships during your studies, giving you valuable professional experience before you graduate.

• Graduates from this subject area do really well after university — 92% are in work or further study within 15 months (HESA data).

• Unique opportunities like the Welsh Parliament placement or the British Parliamentary Studies module (co-taught with MPs and including a visit to Westminster) give you a standout edge in politics-related careers.

• Typical graduate destinations include government, international organisations, NGOs, journalism, education, law, and diplomatic services.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to keep going after your BA, many graduates stay on for a master’s in areas like International Relations, Diplomacy, Development Studies, International Law, or Global Security. Others move into research degrees (MPhil/PhD) if they’re drawn to policy research or academic careers.