Politics and International Relations

Politics and International Relations is the study of power in its widest sense: how it is acquired, exercised and contested within states and across the international system. The two disciplines are deeply complementary. Political theory and comparative politics give you the analytical frameworks to understand how governments, institutions and political actors operate, while international relations examines the interactions between states, multinational organisations, non-governmental actors and global forces such as trade, security, environment and migration.

Together they provide a coherent and searching account of the contemporary political world.

At the University of Southampton, this three-year full-time BSc programme is grounded in both the theoretical traditions of political science and the empirical study of how politics actually works. You will study comparative political systems, political thought, security studies, international political economy and the structures of global governance. Southampton's strong research reputation means that the teaching reflects current scholarly debates, and you will develop skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, research design and critical argumentation that are directly relevant to graduate employment and further study.

Graduates of Politics and International Relations are among the most employable in the social sciences. The combination of analytical rigour, policy awareness, communication skill and international perspective that the degree develops is valued in a wide range of careers. These include the civil service, diplomatic service, international organisations, NGOs, journalism, think tanks, political campaigns, public affairs, consultancy, and the private sector.

Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in politics, international relations, law, public policy or international development, deepening their specialist knowledge or moving into research and academic careers.