UCAS code L240
Studying International Relations brings a focus on power, authority, citizenship, conflict and cooperation in the world around us, it is an opportunity to engage with politics on an international scale and to think deeply about the changing world.
Current international trends are interpreted in a historical perspective yet with a view to future directions and likely developments. Politics affects all our lives and with a deeper understanding you can join in conversations that address key issues.
You will have the opportunity to learn from internationally recognised scholars and to hear about their cutting edge research examining a wide range of aspects of international relations. You will explore political ideas, systems and processes, learn to question and to challenge, how to collect data, develop knowledge, construct arguments and communicate your findings in different ways.
We want you to feel welcome from the moment you apply to study at Liverpool. We offer lots of support for our students who are moving from abroad. We can welcome you at Manchester Airport with our meet and greet service (for September starts) and we have a friendly International Advice and Guidance team who run events to welcome you on to campus and provide in person support and events all year round.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
In year one you will take Foundations in politics and Foundations in international politics, Comparative Politics and a study skills module Studying Politics Successfully: Skills and Methods that will aid you in developing all the tools you need to study International Relations effectively throughout your degree programme. You will also have the option to take either British Politics or Political Theory modules and a final 30 credits to study courses elsewhere in the University such as languages which can be an excellent companion to an International Relations degree.
Students take 30 credits of required modules and 30 credits of optional modules in each semester.
Students must take either POLI101 and POLI102 or POLI105.
POLI105 is a ‘year-long’ module and represents 15 credits in each semester.
Additional optional modules from Open Languages may be taken up to a maximum of 30 credits.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
In year two you will select from a pool of modules including International organisations, International political economy, Security in a globalised world, Foreign analysis and world politics, and Politics of international Human Rights as well as having the choice of a wide variety of modules that deal with the international political sphere. These include, but are not limited to American politics and society, Regimes and their consequences, and Gender and Feminist politics: core concepts and theories.
Students take 60 credits of optional modules in each semester.
Students must take 45 credits of specifically International Relations modules across the year.
POLI200 is subject to an appropriate placement being sourced. Students cannot register directly for this module.
Registration onto HLAC220 is only for students planning to undertake a work placement year.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
In year three modules are available on Identity in contemporary international politics; World politics and the world economy, Comparative peace processes and Africa-China relations in a changing global order. You can also choose from a range of modules that don’t have an explicit international dimension.
Students take 60 credits of optional modules in each semester.
POLI342, POLI343 and POLI354 are subject to a suitable placement being sourced. Students cannot register directly onto these modules.
There is an application process for POLI342 and POLI343. Students accepted onto POLI342 module take POLI401 (Dissertation). Students cannot take both POLI342 and POLI343.
POLI339 is a ‘year-long’ module and represents 15 credits in each semester. There is an application process for this module. Students cannot register directly onto this module
POLI401 is a ‘year-long’ module and represents 15 credits in each semester.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You will explore international political ideas, systems and processes and learn how to collect data, develop knowledge and construct arguments.
Research-connected teaching is initiated in the first year with introductions to quantitative, qualitative, theoretical, and critical methodologies, which are then embedded in second- and third-year modules so that students can evaluate and apply the methodologies to construct their own analyses. Though our lectures are interactive, our seminars, workshops, computer lab sessions, dissertations, and placements form the core of our active learning approach.
We use a rich variety of assessment methods to develop students’ various skills. Essays, exams, and presentations enable to students to practice core academic writing and speaking skills, while innovative assessments such as blog posts, reflective logs, group projects, podcasts, radio broadcasts and speeches expand our authentic assessment, enabling students to deploy transferable skills in various formats. Digital fluency is also developed in different ways, including sourcing relevant material, using online learning platforms and tools, producing audio and visual materials, word processing and statistical analysis.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate | 26 points overall with no score less than 4, or Pass the IB Diploma plus 5,4,4 in 3 HL subjects. Plus a minimum of 5 in SL Maths or 4 in HL Maths and 5 in SL/HL English A or 7 in SL English B or 6 in HL English B |
| HKDSE | 433 from 2 electives plus one core subject (excluding Citizenship and Social Development ) and a minimum grade 4 in core Mathematics. Grade 4 (with no component less than 4) in HKDSE English Language |
| India Standard XII | Overall average of 60% from four core subjects, a minimum of 75% in English dependent on exam board (not including Hindi, Regional Language, Environmental Education and PE) and a minimum of 50% for Standard X Maths. |
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.
Students studying International Relations BA at XJTLU can study this course at the University of Liverpool. Read more about International Relations BA (Hons) as part of the 2+2 programme .
The natural next step for ambitious XJTLU students who want to build a brilliant career.
The department of Politics is part of the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures and is based in 8-14 Abercromby Square. Students will be taught in a variety of buildings across campus.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
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An International Relations degree from the University of Liverpool offers you the chance to develop a variety of transferrable skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, written and verbal communication, teamwork, confidence and digital fluency.
Our graduates progress to a range of careers including local government, political parties, NGOs, charities and human rights organisations, civil and diplomatic services, market research, media and communications and public relations.
Previous employers include: