BSc Politics and International Relations

at London School of Economics

The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. 

First year  (* denotes a half unit course)
In the first year you will take two compulsory courses in politics and one in international relations. You will then choose one course from a range of options both within international relations and in other departments. In addition, you will ​also take LSE100.

Introduction to Political Science
Examines the comparative analysis of a range of political phenomena, including the forms of states and regimes, theories of elections and voting, political ideologies, the causes and consequences of democracy, and the management of the economy.

Introduction to Political Theory
Examines the foundations of Western political thought, followed by modern political theory.

International Relations: Theories, Concepts and Debates
Examines the theories and concepts designed to explain the nature of contemporary international relations.

One course from a range of options

LSE100*
A half unit, running across Michaelmas and Lent Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems through research-rich education.

Second year 
In the second year you will choose two international relations course from a choice of five, and choose a total of two government options from a specific options list. 

Two government options from an approved list

One from:

International Political Theory
Combines classical theory with modern ways of explaining and understanding international relations.

Foreign Policy Analysis I
Analyses various theoretical perspectives on foreign policy, and the means of conduct of the main actors in the international system towards each other

International Organisations
Examines major theoretical and empirical aspects of the role of international organisations in international politics.

International Security
Gives students a thorough introduction to the literature on international security, both theoretical and policy-oriented.

International Political Economy
Examines the role of power and politics in international economic relations. 

Third year 
In the third year, you will choose a range of courses from government and international relations options. You will also either choose to complete a dissertation in government or international relations, or take further courses. One of your courses can be chosen from outside the departments.

One government option

One international relations option

Either

One international relations option

Or

One outside option

Either

Dissertation in Government

Or

Dissertation in International Relations

Or

One government option to the value of one unit

Or

One international relations option to the value of one unit

Or

One outside option to the value of one unit

Below we list our entry requirements in terms of GCSEs, A-Levels (the entry requirements should be read alongside our A-level subject combinations information) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK and from overseas.

GCSEs

• A strong set of GCSE grades including the majority at A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9)
• Your GCSE (or equivalent) English Language and Mathematics grades should be no lower than B (or 6)
• We also consider your overall GCSE subject profile

A-levels*

AAA
We also consider your AS grades, if available

Contextual admissions A-level grades**
AAB
 

IB Diploma 
38 points overall, including 766 at higher level 
 

Contextual admissions IB grades**
37 points overall, including 765 at higher level

Every undergraduate student is charged a fee for each year of their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees

Home students:
The 2023 tuition fee for new Home students has not yet been set. As a guide the 2022 fee for Home students is £9,250 per year. The Home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Government

Median salary of our UG students six months after graduating: £29,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:
 

• Accounting and Auditing
• Education, Teaching and Research
• Government, Public Sector and Policy
• Information, Digital Technology and Data
• FMCG, Manufacturing and Retail

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2018-19 were the second group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Politics graduates have a range of skills and can fit into a variety of positions in modern life. Our former students have followed careers in business and banking, in law, in central and local government, in teaching and research, in public and university administration, and in journalism and television.