Politics and International Relations, BA (Hons)

At Swansea, learning politics and international relations goes far beyond lectures and textbooks — it’s about experiencing how the world of power and policy works in real life. This program is designed to give you practical, hands-on opportunities from the start, so you don’t just study politics — you live it. Whether you’re debating policies in the classroom, working alongside lawmakers, or exploring global perspectives abroad, you’ll build the skills and confidence that employers value most.

Here’s how you’ll put theory into practice throughout your degree:

• Work inside government – Take part in an exclusive internship with the Welsh Parliament (Senedd Cymru), where you’ll spend one day a week working alongside Members of the Senedd and policy teams, seeing how real political decisions are made.

• Learn directly from MPs – Join the prestigious British Parliamentary Studies module, co-taught by Members of Parliament, and travel to the House of Commons in London to experience politics at the heart of UK democracy.

• Gain industry experience – Opt for a year-long professional placement between your second and final year, where you’ll work in a government office, NGO, think tank, or political organisation, building connections and career-ready skills.

• Study abroad – Broaden your horizons with a semester at one of Swansea’s partner universities in Hong Kong, Singapore, the USA, and beyond, gaining a global perspective on international relations.

• Engage with experts – Attend guest lectures, public debates, and networking events where you’ll meet politicians, policy advisers, journalists, and international relations professionals.

• Dedicated support every step – Access specialist career mentors, personal tutors, and Swansea’s award-winning support services to help you reflect on your experiences and plan your next steps.

A degree in Politics and International Relations from Swansea opens doors to exciting and impactful careers across the world. Graduates go on to shape policies, influence decision-making, and contribute to solving global challenges. Whether you dream of becoming a policy analyst, diplomat, communications strategist, or NGO project officer, this degree equips you with the knowledge, critical thinking, and real-world experience employers look for.

Here’s how Swansea helps you turn your ambitions into reality:

• Dedicated career support from day one – Swansea’s award-winning Careers and Employability team offers one-to-one guidance, CV and interview workshops, networking events, and access to exclusive internships to help you stand out in a competitive field.

• Excellent career outcomes – Around 90% of graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months of finishing their degree, earning an average starting salary of about £26,000.

• Powerful industry connections – Through Swansea’s LINC network, you’ll have access to a wide range of employers, from government bodies and NGOs to think tanks, media organisations, and multinational companies.

• Recognised and respected qualification – The program is ranked Top 15 in the UK for Graduate Prospects and sits in the Top 250 globally for Politics (QS by Subject), giving your degree real global credibility.

• Diverse career pathways – Swansea graduates work in government, diplomacy, public policy, humanitarian organisations, media and communications, law, and the private sector — showing just how versatile this degree is.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to specialise further, Swansea offers excellent postgraduate options such as MA International Relations, MSc Politics, and research degrees leading to a PhD. These advanced pathways can launch careers in academia, policy research, international development, or senior leadership roles in global organisations.