BA International Politics

The degree 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 the University of London Institute in Paris, 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 close reading, 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 two to three 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 the University of London Institute in Paris.

Learning Labs and Field Experience

Learning Labs involves field experience where you will study actors of international politics beyond the conventional lecture/seminar format. The labs also entail site visits in Paris where we analyse the different ways in which ‘international’ politics is operative within the ‘local’ environment around us. You will then bring this experience back to the classroom to collaborate with your peers and teachers on experience-based research projects. This research experience is a significant transferable skill that will be advantageous in many domains of working life. 

Assessment

Students are assessed by a variety of assignments over the course of each module. This might include essays, in-class presentations, book reviews, or field reports. You will be expected to prepare research essays in your core modules in international politics and will receive guidance from your tutor throughout this process.

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.

Study resources and facilities

You will benefit from access to a wide range of study resources and facilities, including print and electronic information services, in a scholarly setting. The University of London Institute in Paris Library is the primary source of support and research material for students and staff, offering subject-specific resources and access to dozens of electronic databases via University of London’s Senate House Library and our partnership with Queen Mary University of London.

Through the Institute in Paris Library, students can gain access to the American Library in Paris which is within walking distance. Postgraduate students may also have access to the Sciences Po Library if they wish.

While in London, make sure to visit Senate House Library. Students studying with the University of London can join the library free of charge. Membership includes a 10-book borrowing allowance, access to all reading rooms and study areas, and on-site access to Senate House Library digital resources.

Dr. Eugene Brennan is a lecturer in international politics at the university of London Institute in Paris. Prior to this, Eugene taught at the American University of Paris, the Institut Catholique de Paris, the Sorbonne Nouvelle Université Paris 3 and Université Paris 13. His primary research interests are in contemporary critical theory. One strand of research focuses on how the notion of ‘crisis’ is generative for theorising various tumultuous aspects of the present. This work is the focal point of the seminar series he convenes, Theory in Crisis, as well his work editing a special issue of the South Atlantic Quarterly, ‘Crisis Theory: The Politics of the Present’ (April 2024). It also feeds into a new undergraduate module in critical theories of crisis. 

His current book project is provisionally titled Tragic Times: Georges Bataille and Contemporary Theory, and analyses how a challenging body of writing in mid twentieth century French philosophy continues to animate diverse scenes in contemporary critical thought. It works through the contemporary implications of Bataille’s politics of excess. 

Eugene also has research interests in cultural studies, black studies, and postcolonial theory. He has published on the relationship between music and politics and is interested in how popular culture offers stimulating challenges and sites of possibility for working through difficult political and theoretical questions. The relationship between culture and politics plays an important role in the International Politics programme. The programme emphasises how actors enact new worlds, borrowing vocabulary from art and culture to illustrate the performative dimensions of politics. Eugene is particularly interested in how subaltern actors improvise within conditions of constraint and how creative political acts emerge from opaque domains of everyday life. 

Applications for our undergraduate courses must be submitted via UCAS. You should apply by 2 September 2024 to guarantee equal consideration, but applications may remain open after this date.

However, past this deadline, we reserve the right to close our programmes on the application portal once we've reached capacity.

Find full details, including information on Clearing, on the UCAS website.

The course start date is in September each year.

How to apply

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 the University of London Institute in Paris.

Applications should be made online at www.ucas.com

• Institution code name: ULIP
• Institution code: P26
• Course title: BA International Politics
• UCAS course code: L241
• Duration: Three years, in Paris
• Mode of study: Full-time
• Point of entry: 1 (unless you are applying for a transfer into year 2)

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

What qualifications do you need?

For access to the BA International Politics, you will usually meet the following criteria:

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: five Highers (AABBB) or three 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.

The fees below relate to new students registering for the 2024-2025 session. On average, fees are subject to a five per cent year-on-year increase. 

Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool.

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.

Sales Tax

Please note: all student fees shown are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.

Further information on Sales Tax.

Your payment provider may apply additional transaction fees (if in doubt, please check with them before making a payment).

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 University of London Institute in Paris 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.

Students who receive government funding do not have to pay anything up front, and do not have to start repaying loans until the April after they graduate and are earning above an income threshold. Learn more about funding your studies at University of London Institute in Paris.

For students not receiving government funding, payment is made online through Queen Mary University of London. Find out more about paying fees.

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 the University of London Institute in Paris 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.

Boost your CV

Most employers today expect graduates 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.

Students can access a range of services and tools from Careers and Enterprise at Queen Mary University of London as well as benefit from the experience of the University of London's Careers Group.

Find out more about careers support.