BA (Hons) Politics with International Relations with placement

Studying Politics with International Relations at York is all about turning ideas into real-world experience. From the very start of your degree, you’ll be encouraged to apply what you learn in class to real political challenges, gaining practical skills that employers truly value. You’ll work on group projects, carry out your own research, learn how to use data and policy tools, and even have the chance to spend a year working in the field through an optional placement year — a fantastic opportunity to boost your career prospects before you graduate.

Here’s how you’ll put your learning into practice throughout the course:

• Policy Lab projects give you the chance to work on real policy issues from Year 1, applying political theories to real-world situations.

• The Applied Quantitative Analysis (AQA) route builds strong data and statistical skills, teaching you how to use real data to explore political questions.

• Your final-year dissertation is a major independent project where you design and conduct your own research with one-to-one academic support.

• An optional placement year between your second and final year lets you gain hands-on work experience in places like government departments, NGOs, think tanks, or political consultancies.

• Students have previously interned with organisations such as Ernst & Young, the UK Houses of Parliament, and the Mayor’s Office in New York, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.

• Teaching includes seminars, workshops, and small-group sessions, giving you lots of chances to debate ideas, collaborate with classmates, and receive personalised feedback.

• You’ll benefit from access to the Department’s research centres, guest lectures, and expert academic staff, all of which connect classroom learning to real global issues.

• Extensive library resources, specialist databases, and digital tools support your research and coursework throughout your degree.

A Politics with International Relations degree from York opens doors to a wide range of careers across government, diplomacy, policy, business, and international organisations. You’ll graduate with the analytical skills, global outlook, and professional experience employers value — and if you choose the placement year, you’ll add a powerful layer of real-world experience to your CV before you even graduate. Many York graduates go on to become policy analysts, diplomatic service officers, consultants, or researchers in both the public and private sectors.

Here’s how the degree sets you up for long-term success:

• Career support and tailored services: York’s dedicated Careers and Placements team offers 1:1 guidance, employer networking events, and workshops throughout your degree. They’ll help you explore graduate roles, prepare for interviews, and connect with top employers.

• Placement year advantage: Choosing the “with Placement Year” option lets you spend a year working full-time in a relevant organisation — from government departments and NGOs to consultancies and financial firms — giving you hands-on experience, industry contacts, and a significant boost to your graduate prospects.

• Employment outcomes: Around 90% of York Politics graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation, earning a median salary of around £28,000 early in their careers.

• Industry and institutional partnerships: Students have undertaken placements or internships with organisations such as Ernst & Young, Houses of Parliament, Goldman Sachs, KPMG, European Parliament, and the World Food Programme.

• Reputation and long-term value: York is consistently ranked among the UK’s top universities for Politics, including Top 10 for Graduate Prospects (Times Good University Guide), and its graduates are highly regarded by employers worldwide.

• Typical graduate roles: Policy Analyst, Diplomatic Service Officer, Political Risk Consultant, Researcher, Civil Service Fast Streamer, Communications or Public Affairs Officer.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your BA, you could deepen your expertise with a Master’s in International Relations, Public Policy, Global Governance, Development Studies, or Security Studies. Many students also progress to PhD research or combine their degree with further professional qualifications in areas like law, public administration, or diplomacy.