BA in International Politics

A levels

• Typical offer: ABB
• Excluded subjects: General Studies and Critical Thinking

IB Diploma

• Typical offer: 32 points
• Subjects: 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects

Other UK qualifications

• Scottish qualifications: 5 Highers (AABBB) or 3 Advanced Highers (ABB)
• Vocational and access qualifications can be accepted. Contact us to find out more.

Non-UK qualifications

• Irish Leaving Certificate: H1, H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher level
• For qualifications from other countries, please contact us

English Language Proficiency

All applicants must show they meet a minimum academic English language standard for admission and to be successful on the course, to the indicated levels for the area of study. English requirements if education non conducted in English: IELTS 7 overall, including 6.5 in Writing and other subscores no lower than 5.5, or equivalent qualification.

Taught in English, our BA in International Politics focuses on the practical aspects of international politics in contemporary society while giving students a unique chance to live and study in the French capital.

You'll benefit from an intellectually stimulating degree which will enable you to explore how state, non-state, governmental and non-governmental actors perform international politics on the world stage, and the theories and methods of understanding their actions. You'll carry out field work engaging with political actors, sites and practices, and share your learnings with your peers in a collaborative seminar.

The official language in 29 countries, French has a long history as an international language of commerce and diplomacy and is an official language in many international organisations. Proficiency in French is not an entry requirement, but you’ll have the opportunity to learn the language by undertaking supplementary courses in French, or a Minor in French Studies – and gain a valuable transferable skill that will open doors to international career opportunities.

Why study International Politics at ULIP?  

The BA in International Politics is a small programme with a close attention to students and their learning experiences. By studying international politics in our campus located in the heart of Paris, just around the corner from the intellectual heartbeat of France and the Assemblée Nationale (a major political institution in France), you will benefit from a singular teaching and learning experience.

Some of the degree benefits include:

• Study in a safe and stimulating learning environment that combines the benefits of a small welcoming institute with the advantages of a UK university.
• Fully realise your academic potential by immersing yourself in French culture and society for three years.
• Build your knowledge of various theoretical aspects of Politics and International Relations, and ‘do international politics’ with work-based experience in the field.  
• Improve your employability as well as your capacity for postgraduate study by developing valuable transferable skills from your international experience while studying in a UK institution in Paris, the gateway to continental Europe. 

The programme is entirely taught in English and provides progressive structures enabling you to develop increasingly specialised knowledge and understanding of key themes in international politics alongside core transferable skills.

Learning and teaching

As a student at ULIP, you will play an active part in your acquisition of skills and knowledge. You’ll receive approximately seven to nine hours of weekly contact time, in the form of formal lectures and small group seminars. The seminars are designed to generate informed discussion around set topics, and may involve student presentations, group exercises and role-play as well as open discussion.

For every hour spent in seminars you will be expected to complete a further 2-3 hours of independent study. Your individual study time could be spent preparing for, or following up on formal study sessions; reading; producing written work; completing projects; and revising for examinations. The direction of your individual study will be guided by the formal study sessions you attend, along with your reading lists and assignments.  However, we expect you to demonstrate an active role in your own learning by reading widely and expanding your own knowledge, understanding and critical ability.

We take pride in the close and friendly working relationship we have with our students. You are assigned an Academic Adviser who will guide you in both academic and pastoral matters throughout your time at ULIP.  

Learning Labs and Field Experience

Learning Labs involves field experience where you will engage actors of international politics to develop an advanced understanding of practical aspects of international politics. You will then bring this experience back to the classroom to collaborate with your peers and teachers on experience-based learning projects. This is an important transferable skill and will help to prepare you for the transition to working life.

Assessment

Students are assessed by coursework and research projects only. A few modules are assessed by coursework only. If a module is assessed by means of coursework alone, this is usually in the form of a research project or dissertation, and the tutor project supervisor offers guidance and support in the researching and writing of this piece of assessment.

Learning French

Although proficiency in French is not an entry requirement for the BA in International Politics, those who have A level French or equivalent can opt for the French Studies Minor. Otherwise, you can take non-credit-bearing supplementary courses in French throughout the duration of your studies.

Modules

Download an overview of our modules, or continue to find our programme outline*

Year 1

All courses are delivered in English. 

Compulsory modules

• Doing International Politics (1): Theories and Actors (POLP101) 
• Learning Lab: Field Experience (Actors) (POLP102) 
• Introduction to International Politics (POLP106) 
• Issues in Contemporary French Politics (ULC140) 
• Introduction to Cultural Studies (ULC150) 

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Doing International Politics (2): Methods (POLP201) 
• Learning Lab: Field Experience (Sites) (POLP202A) 
• Sites of International Politics (POLP203) 

Optional Modules (students select 2 optional modules from the list below) 

• Text and Image in Mass Culture (ULC223) 
• Climate Politics (ULC230)
• Politics and Fiction (ULC231)
• Queer Politics in Contemporary France (ULC232) 
• France, Britain and Empire (ULC234)
• An Introduction to Global Cinema (ULC235)
• Social Movements and Politics of Protests (ULC236)

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Doing International Politics (3): Practices (POLP301) 
• Learning Lab: Field Experience (Practices) (POLP302A) 
• Research Project (POLP388)

Optional Modules (students select 2 optional modules from the list below) 

• French colonialism in North Africa (ULC313)
• Y2K BD: Fin de millénaire bande dessinée (ULC315)
• Trauma and Transmission: Holocaust afterlives (ULC326)
• Classic French Cinema (ULC328)
• Research dissertation (ULC329)
• Postcolonial Fictions in the City of Paris (ULC333)
• Contemporary Theory 1: Critique (ULC334)
• Contemporary Theory 2: Crisis (ULC335)
• Contemporary Theory 3: Thinking the Anthropocene (ULC336)

*All courses listed above are subject to availability. 

Graduate Employment

International Politics students have the opportunity to develop strong research, analytical and communication skills during their undergraduate programme, which combined to the invaluable international experience gained during the course of this singular degree, will mean a huge range of careers will open up to graduates, both inside and outside the political world.

Some graduates from ULIP will enter sectors such as government, international governmental or non-governmental organisations, whilst others transfer skills gained during study into roles such as policy research, law, activism, campaigning or a wide range of opportunities in the non-profit or commercial fields.  

Careers support

In today’s complex career trajectories that graduates follow, most employers expect them to have a range of skills and work experience. Being based in Paris is a distinct advantage, and with the help of Queen Mary University of London we have designed programmes of careers support to help you take advantage of our location.

Alongside your studies, you'll have opportunities to: 

• attend networking or industry events
• apply for internships in your ideal area of work
• volunteer with local or national charities
• work part-time. 

Whether you need help with writing a CV, developing your interview skills or planning further study once you graduate, you will benefit from the support and services offered by QMUL Careers and Enterprise to make sure you have the tools to make the most of the opportunities offered by this programme.

How we support you

• One-to-one Skype appointments with a careers consultant. These cover anything from career choice and job hunting through to CV and interview advice.
• A comprehensive range of information on the Careers and Enterprise QMPlus pages including: resources for global job hunting; sector information on NGOs, Government, Think Tanks and Charities; advice on CVs and interviews 
• Careers webinars for Politics and International Relations students

The University of London Institute in Paris charges an annual tuition fee for the BA in International Politics. This fee will vary depending on whether you are a resident of the UK or whether you are applying from outside the UK as an international student.

The UK government sets guidelines on who is eligible to pay the UK rate of fees. Details can be found on the UKCISA website.

Please note that international fees are subject to inflationary increases year on year, during the three years of your studies.

Tuition fees for 2022-23

Full-time UK

• £9,250

Full-time International

• £12,000

Being a UK institution, UK students are eligible for student financial support from the Student Loans Company.

This means that if you are eligible for government funding you do not have to pay anything up front. Please visit our Finding funding section for further information on applying for government loans and university bursaries.

If you have any further questions, please contact us via our contact form where help will be on hand.

Sources of support

Applicants receive detailed guidance on UK and French sources of funding available to ULIP students. The Student Services team is on hand to provide guidance on how to apply.

Students can also consult Queen Mary’s Student Advice Guides which covers ways to finance their degree and can also receive specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through the Advice and Counselling Service.

All candidates should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions System). 

Short-listed candidates are invited for a phone or online interview. When possible, interviews are held before the annual Applicant Open Day, otherwise known as "Journée de Rencontres", which normally takes place in April. This event gives applicants and their guests an opportunity to meet staff and current students as well as to find out more about ULIP.

Applications should be made online at www.ucas.com  

• Institution code name: University of London Institute in Paris
• Institution code: P26 
• Course title: BA in International Politics 
• UCAS course code: L241
• Duration: Three years, in Paris 
• Mode of study: Full-time 

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us via our contact form.