Politics and International Relations
Politics and international relations explores the forces that shape societies and the global system, from the institutions and processes of democratic governance to the dynamics of power, conflict, diplomacy, and international cooperation. It is a discipline that takes seriously both the formal structures of political life and the social, economic, and cultural forces that shape how those structures work in practice. It engages with the most pressing questions of our time, including how democracies sustain themselves under pressure, how international institutions manage global problems, and what drives both conflict and cooperation between states.
At the University of Essex, this three-year full-time programme is taught by researchers who are directly engaged with political and international questions, and the curriculum reflects live scholarly debates alongside the theoretical foundations of the discipline. You will engage with political institutions, diplomatic processes, democratic theory, power, conflict, rights, and governance, through hands-on learning, independent research, and collaborative projects. The typical entry tariff of 120 points reflects the accessible character of the programme, which is designed to attract students with genuine curiosity about how the world works politically.
You will develop the insight and practical skills to interpret complex political and international issues, understand real-world policy processes, and engage confidently with political and global debate, alongside the research and analytical capabilities that the discipline demands.
Graduates pursue careers in the civil service, international organisations, NGOs, public affairs, journalism, think tanks, education, and research. The combination of analytical rigour, research capability, and engagement with real political questions makes politics and international relations graduates genuinely versatile. Postgraduate study in international relations, public policy, or political science is a natural continuation.