Politics and International Relations BSc Hons

At Surrey, studying Politics and International Relations goes far beyond textbooks and lectures — it’s about learning through doing. From your very first year, you’ll be encouraged to apply your knowledge to real-world issues, work with others on meaningful projects, and build the kind of hands-on experience employers look for. The course is designed to help you think like a policymaker, communicate like a diplomat, and research like a political analyst, all while using the same tools and techniques used by professionals in the field.

Here’s how Surrey makes that happen:

• Professional Training Placement – One of the highlights of this degree is the opportunity to spend a year working in a real political environment. You could join a government office, NGO, think tank, or media organisation, gaining valuable experience and industry contacts before you graduate.

• Simulations and Live Debates – In class, you’ll step into the shoes of diplomats and decision-makers through interactive simulations and structured debates, sharpening your negotiation, public speaking, and critical-thinking skills.

• Collaborative Research Projects – Modules such as Approaches to Research and Research Methods involve real data collection and analysis, often in groups, giving you practical research experience and teaching you how to turn evidence into insight.

• Guest Lectures and Expert Insights – You’ll regularly hear from visiting professionals, including policy advisers, diplomats, and NGO leaders, who share their first-hand experience of tackling political challenges in the real world.

• Supportive Spaces and Resources – From Surrey’s award-winning library to dedicated student hubs like MySurrey Hive and The Nest, you’ll have access to modern facilities designed to support collaboration, research, and project work.

• Research-Led Learning – Because your lecturers are active researchers in areas like European politics, diplomacy, and global security, you’ll learn from people shaping the field — and you might even get the chance to contribute to ongoing research yourself, especially during your dissertation.

A Politics and International Relations degree from Surrey opens doors to an exciting range of global careers. Graduates from this programme are highly valued for their ability to think critically, understand complex political systems, and communicate across cultures. Many go on to shape real change in the world — whether that’s working in government, diplomacy, policy research, or international organisations.

Typical career paths include: Policy Analyst, Diplomatic Service Officer, Political Risk Consultant, and Public Affairs Specialist.

Surrey gives you all the right tools to get there:

• Career support from day one – You’ll have access to Surrey’s award-winning Careers and Employability service, offering one-to-one coaching, CV workshops, mock interviews, and exclusive networking events to help you stand out to employers.

• Real-world experience built into your degree – A standout feature of this course is the Professional Training placement, where you can spend up to a year working with government bodies, NGOs, or think tanks. This experience not only builds your confidence but also makes your CV far stronger when you graduate.

• Strong graduate outcomes – Around 92% of Surrey’s Politics and International Relations graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months of finishing the course, showing how well this degree prepares you for the future.

• Powerful partnerships – Surrey’s links with international organisations, research institutes, and policy networks give you a real advantage in finding placement opportunities and building professional contacts.

• Global recognition – Your degree will carry the reputation of a university ranked among the UK’s best for student satisfaction in Politics (4th in the UK, NSS 2025), giving your qualification credibility wherever you go.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re thinking about continuing your studies, this degree also sets you up perfectly for postgraduate opportunities. Many graduates choose to specialise further with a Master’s in International Relations, Public Policy, or Global Security, while others go into PhD research to pursue academic or policy-focused careers. You could also complement your political background with professional qualifications in law, business, or public administration — broadening your career options even further.