Politics and International Relations

Politics and international relations is a discipline that asks how power is organised and exercised, how states and other actors interact on the world stage, and how the decisions made by governments and institutions shape the lives of people everywhere. It engages with some of the defining challenges of our time, from the fragility of international institutions and the spread of authoritarianism to the governance of climate change and the political consequences of economic inequality. The questions at the heart of the discipline are not merely academic, they are urgent, practical, and unavoidable.

At University College London, this three-year full-time programme develops analytical depth and research rigour in both political science and international relations. You will develop the conceptual tools to analyse political systems at the domestic level, the theoretical frameworks to understand international order, and the empirical knowledge to engage with the specific challenges and dynamics that shape global politics today. UCL's location in London, one of the world's great political and international cities, provides access to politicians, diplomats, journalists, and policy practitioners who enrich the academic curriculum.

The typical entry tariff of 184 points reflects the strong academic demands of a leading research university.

You will develop critical analytical thinking, research design and methods, the ability to evaluate evidence from multiple sources, and the written and oral communication skills that political and international study demands.

Graduates pursue careers in the civil service, diplomacy, international organisations, NGOs, journalism, public affairs, think tanks, political parties, and research. Many continue to postgraduate study in international relations, security, law, or public policy. The analytical skills the degree develops are broadly valued across many professional contexts.