About BA Hons Politics & International Relations in University of Strathclyde

Study with us

• benefit from award-winning international academics engaged in real-world research in various fields including elections and voting, public policy, political parties, comparative political systems, international relations and security studies
• ranked 1st in Scotland for research impact beyond academia
• enhance your future employability by learning cutting-edge research skills in the areas of data science and quantitative and qualitative methods from leading scholars in the field
• Politics & International Relations students benefit from opportunities for university internships, employer placements, international exchanges and work as paid research assistants for leading academics

Why this course?

From international terrorism to the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum, we cover very diverse and relevant issues.

As a politics student, you'll look at the work of governments and their policies and study the behaviour of those who govern - and who they are governing - both at home and abroad. You'll also gain knowledge of domestic and international institutions and issues relating to conflict and cooperation.

Our politics graduates go on to work in a number of areas such as government, journalism, teaching and research, in both the public and commercial sector. Many also pursue academic research careers in the UK, Europe and North America.

Learning & teaching

In Politics Years 1-3, lectures and tutorials are the main forms of teaching. In methods classes, lab sessions and practical group work are used. At Honours level, all classes are taught in a small group seminar format.

Tutorials, seminars and student presentations form an essential part of your learning and development. In addition, work on essays, book reviews and other class projects are part of the teaching and learning environment.

At Honours level, students work on a specific project for their Honours dissertation under the personal supervision of a member of the teaching staff.

Careers

Our graduates are employed in the media, management, teaching, sales and advertising, local government, further and higher education and social work.

Knowledge of the political process is also useful in a business career and this degree provides the normal route of entry into business traineeships. Employers are particularly interested in the high-level written and verbal skills of Politics graduates and their ability to research and analyse information.

Courses in Politics are recognised in the training of Modern Studies teachers, and a Politics degree is also particularly appropriate for entry to the civil service.

Students who specialise in research methods acquire social science research skills and expertise in the analysis of data, while the study of institutions is an extremely good background for those entering government service or communications, eg journalism, television and advertising.

There's also a tradition of Strathclyde Politics graduates entering academic research centres in the UK, Europe and North America.

Academic qualification equivalents

• For entry to Strathclyde undergraduate programmes we'd look for 70-75% in all subjects taken at level XII and the same at level X. 

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS   :    6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
• TOEFL :     73-79 overall, with the following minimum scores in each component: Listening: 17 Reading: 18 Speaking: 20                               Writing: 19
• PTE      :     54-57 overall, with a minimum of 51 in each component

University of Strathclyde Highlights

University of Strathclyde Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

Fee for various range of courses available at the university varies as per their duration, level and type of program. Some of the popular courses with their respective fees are as mentioned below.

Undergraduate Courses (2020-2021)

Graduate Courses (2020-2021)

Cost of Living

List of expenses apart from the basic tuition fee are as compiled below.

Note that candidates looking for their private rented accommodation will require 100 to 125 GBP, per week, for a room in a shared plus other expenses.