BSc Politics and International Relations

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

If you're fascinated by how power works both at home and on the global stage, and you want to back that up with genuine data science skills, this degree is a brilliant fit. It suits analytically-minded students who want to combine political theory with practical research techniques, studying everything from how government is constituted to how politics plays out on a global scale.

Curriculum Structure

Year One: You'll build a strong foundation in both political theory and research methods, taking core modules like Globalisation of World Politics and Power and Democracy, alongside Introduction to Social Data. It's designed to get you comfortable analysing political ideas and real data side by side right from the start, so you're not just discussing politics in the abstract.

Year Two: You'll sharpen your research skills further with Research Design in the Social Sciences and Data Analysis in Social Science 2, while choosing from a wide range of options like Security Studies or Contemporary Theories of World Politics. This is really where the degree lets you specialise in the political questions and regions that interest you most.

Placement Year (optional): If you choose the four-year route, you can either study abroad at one of Exeter's partner universities or take on a graduate-level work placement in the UK or overseas, giving you real-world experience to back up everything you've learned in the classroom.

Final Year: You'll complete a Quantitative Dissertation, combined with a compulsory choice between Political Theory and the Future or The Future of World Politics, plus advanced options like Authoritarianism, Democratization, and Regime Change or Political Violence, Intervention, and the Aftermath. It's your chance to apply serious data skills to political questions you genuinely care about.

Focus Areas: Global politics and international relations, political theory, comparative politics, security studies, and quantitative data analysis applied to political and social questions.

Learning Outcomes: Graduates come away with strong analytical and critical thinking, independent research skills, the ability to collect and evaluate complex evidence, and genuine quantitative data analysis skills. It's a combination that's increasingly rare and valuable in the graduate job market.

Professional Alignment: This isn't a professionally-accredited degree, but it's run in collaboration with the prestigious Centre for Computational Social Science, so you leave with practical, CV-boosting skills in research techniques and quantitative software that are directly relevant to a wide range of careers. Students can also take part in schemes like the Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award, with additional support from dedicated Employability Officers.

Reputation: Exeter is ranked Top 15 in the UK for Politics, coming in 13th in The Complete University Guide 2027, and Top 100 in the world for Politics in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2026. Exeter is also Top 10 in the UK for world-leading Politics and International Studies research, based on research rated 4* in REF 2021, and Top 100 in the world for Political Sciences in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Exeter, studying Politics and International Relations means you’ll get far more than just lectures and textbooks. From your first year, you’ll be applying what you learn in real-world settings, using specialist tools, and even stepping into professional roles. The programme is designed so that by the time you graduate, you’ll have hands-on experience in research, data analysis, and workplace environments—skills that employers and international organisations actively look for.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

In your final year, you’ll carry out a Quantitative Dissertation—an independent research project where you tackle a real political or global question using professional data analysis tools.
Throughout the degree you’ll study modules like Introduction to Social Data and Data Analysis in Social Science, which give you the chance to work directly with datasets, run surveys, and interpret results like a social scientist.
You can take a Work Experience module in your second year, where the university helps you secure placements or internships so you can test your skills in real political, policy, or NGO settings.
Exeter’s internship schemes (SBP, SCP, A2I) open doors to paid roles both on campus and with external organisations, giving you the chance to build your CV while you study.
Small-group seminars and group projects mean you won’t just sit exams—you’ll debate ideas, simulate negotiations, and collaborate on policy reports with classmates.
You also have the option of a year abroad or an employment experience year, so you can gain international exposure or longer work-based learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A degree in Politics and International Relations from Exeter opens doors to exciting global careers. You’ll graduate with strong research, data, and communication skills that make you stand out to employers. Many alumni step into roles such as policy advisor, foreign affairs analyst, diplomat, political consultant, or work with international NGOs and media organisations.

Here’s how Exeter supports your journey:

The Career Zone gives you one-to-one career guidance, CV workshops, and access to exclusive internships and employer networks.
15 months after graduating, Politics and IR students report an average salary of around £29,000, with roughly 80% in work or further study.
You can build experience through Exeter’s Work Experience module and internship schemes, plus the option of a year in industry or study abroad.
Exeter’s reputation and focus on quantitative research skills mean graduates often earn above the national average in the years after graduation.
Strong graduate outcomes: many secure skilled roles in government, NGOs, consultancy, or go on to further postgraduate study.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, you can progress to master’s degrees in areas like International Relations, Political Theory, Public Policy, or Global Governance. Many also pursue research at MPhil or PhD level, or add professional training in data science, diplomacy, or international development to strengthen their career path even further.