London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) are a world-leading university, dedicated to the social sciences.
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BSc Politics and International Relations
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Engage with some of the biggest issues facing the international community, including the causes of war and the conditions of peace. Analyse how political power is distributed and organised within and between states and learn about the principles of international economic relations, such as globalisation.
Key features
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Gain access to LSE's thought leadership
Earn a prestigious degree from the University of London, developed by The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a pioneer in social science research with Nobel Prize winners and several past or present heads of states among its alumni. LSE is responsible for the syllabus, curriculum and assessments.
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A degree recognised around the world
Benefit from a degree modelled on the undergraduate degrees taught on campus at LSE. Achieve a prestigious degree from the University of London, a leading force in higher education with programmes in 190 countries and an influential global alumni community.
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Engaging learning resources
Take your learning to the next level with a vast array of engaging content on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) including printed study materials, audio-visual and revision guides, forums to work collaboratively with others and an Online Library of electronic academic items.
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Gain a UK education near you
Receive a prestigious qualification from the University of London without having to relocate to the United Kingdom to study on campus. Benefit from classroom teaching and support, face-to-face interactions with peers, and a campus culture at one of our Recognised Teaching Centres worldwide.
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Turbocharge your career trajectory
Get to grips with the governing principles of international relations and gain the tools you need to launch careers in politics, research, management and consultancy or embark on a master’s programme in this area. Gain highly desirable transferrable skills including how to question and analyse information, develop arguments, and communication.
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Join our global alumni community
Enjoy lifelong ties to the University of London and our global alumni community of graduates in over 190 countries. Join distinguished academics, writers and industry leaders across all sectors and enjoy wide-ranging benefits from access to events across the world to free online courses and more.
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Teaching Centre Support
General entry requirements
Course overview
You complete 12 courses for the Standard Route or 9 for the Graduate Entry Route.
Entry routes
(IR1198)
(PS1130)
or(PS1172)
orTwo courses (or equivalent half courses) from Selection group F1
Selection group F1 [Level 100 courses]
(DV1171)
(EC1002)
(IR1198)
(IR1034)
(MT105a - Half course)
(MT105b - Half course)
(MT1173)
(MT1174)
(PS1130)
(PS1172)
(SC1179)
(SC1185)
(ST104a - Half course)
(ST104b - Half course)
(ST1215)
(AC1025)
(FN1024)
(IS1060)
(MN1178)
(IS1181)
(MT1186)
(PS2082)
(IR2209)
(IR2213)
(PS3086)
(IR2214)
Two 300 courses from Selection groups E, IR or P plus
One course (or two half courses) from Selection groups E, IR, or P plus
One 100, 200 or 300 course (or two half courses) from any of the Selection groups
Selection group AB [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(AC2091)
(AC2097)
(AC3059)
or(FN2190)
or(AC3093)
(AC3143)
(AC3193)
(FN2191)
(FN3142)
(FN2029)
(FN3023)
Selection group D [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(DV2192)
(DV3162)
(DV3165)
(DV3166)
(EC3016)
Selection group E [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(EC2020)
(EC2065)
(EC2066)
(EC2199)
(EC3016)
(EC3099)
(EC3115)
(EC3120)
(FN2190)
(FN2191)
(FN3092)
(IR3210)
(MN2028)
(MT3095)
Selection group F1 [Level 100 courses]
(DV1171)
(EC1002)
(IR1198)
(IR1034)
(MT105a - Half course)
(MT105b - Half course)
(MT1173)
(MT1174)
(PS1130)
(PS1172)
(SC1179)
(SC1185)
(ST104a - Half course)
(ST104b - Half course)
(ST1215)
(AC1025)
(FN1024)
(IS1060)
(MN1178)
(IS1181)
(MT1186)
Selection group F2 [Level 100 courses]
(LA1010)
(LA1020)
(LA1031)
(LA1040)
Selection group G [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(DV3162)
(DV3165)
Selection group IR [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(DV2192)
(DV3162)
(DV3165)
(DV3166)
(IR2209)
(IR2213)
(IR2214)
(IR3210)
(IR2209)
(IR3140)
Selection group IS [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(IS2182)
(IS3167)
(IS3159)
(IS2184)
(IS3183)
Selection group L [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(LA2001)
(LA3002)
(LA2003)
(LA3007)
(LA2008)
(LA3013)
(LA3014)
(LA2015)
(LA2019)
(LA2024)
(LA3025)
(LA3028)
(LA2029)
(LA3005)
(LA3021)
Selection group M [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(AC3059)
or(FN2190)
or(AC2097)
(DV3165)
(FN2191)
(FN3092)
(IS3167)
(MN2177)
(MN3027)
(MN2028)
(MN2032)
(MN3211)
(MN2177)
(MN3119)
(MN3127)
(MN3141)
(MT2076)
(IS2184)
(SP2079)
(ST3188)
(MN3194)
Selection group N [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(MT2116)
(ST2133 - Half course)
(ST2134 - Half course)
(ST2187)
(MT2176 - Half course)
(MT2175 - Half course)
(MT3040 - Half course)
(MT3042 - Half course)
(ST3189)
(MT3043 - Half course)
(ST2195)
(ST3188)
Selection group P [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(DV2192)
(DV3162)
(DV3165)
(DV3166)
(PS2082)
(PS3086)
Selection group S [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(LA3025)
(SP2079)
(MN3127)
(IR1198)
(PS1130)
or(PS1172)
orOne course (or two half courses) from Selection group F1
Selection group F1 [Level 100 courses]
(DV1171)
(EC1002)
(IR1198)
(IR1034)
(MT105a - Half course)
(MT105b - Half course)
(MT1173)
(MT1174)
(PS1130)
(PS1172)
(SC1179)
(SC1185)
(ST104a - Half course)
(ST104b - Half course)
(ST1215)
(AC1025)
(FN1024)
(IS1060)
(MN1178)
(IS1181)
(MT1186)
(PS2082)
(IR2209)
(IR2213)
(PS3086)
(IR2214)
One 300 course from Selection groups IR or P plus
One 200 or 300 course (or two half courses) from Selection groups E, IR, P
Selection group E [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(EC2020)
(EC2065)
(EC2066)
(EC2199)
(EC3016)
(EC3099)
(EC3115)
(EC3120)
(FN2190)
(FN2191)
(FN3092)
(IR3210)
(MN2028)
(MT3095)
Selection group IR [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(DV2192)
(DV3162)
(DV3165)
(DV3166)
(IR2209)
(IR2213)
(IR2214)
(IR3210)
(IR2209)
(IR3140)
Selection group P [Level 200 and 300 courses]
(DV2192)
(DV3162)
(DV3165)
(DV3166)
(PS2082)
(PS3086)
Study at a Recognised Teaching Centre
This programme is only available to study at a Recognised Teaching Centre and cannot be studied independently.
If you prefer to study independently, a selection of programmes with academic direction from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) are available to study fully supported online.
Study materials
Your study materials are available through the Student Portal and are specially written by academics appointed by LSE. These include a Student Guide and the programme handbook; online course materials for each course studied; past examination papers and examiners’ commentaries; and Programme Regulations containing full details of syllabuses, programme structures and degree classification criteria.
Online support
When you register, we will give you access to your Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and other key resources:
- The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Here, you can access electronic copies of all printed study materials, resources including audio-visual and revision guides, and forums to discuss course material and work collaboratively with others.
- The Online Library. As a student at the University of London, you will have access to a range of resources, databases, and journals via the Online Library. You will be able to contact a team of professional and qualified librarians for any help you require.
Senate House Library
- If you’re based in the United Kingdom, or are visiting 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.
Student Support
We are committed to delivering an exceptional student experience for all of our students, regardless of which of our programmes you are studying and whether you are studying independently or with a Recognised Teaching Centre.
You will have access to support through:
- The Enquiry Hub – provides support for application and Student Portal queries.
- TalkCampus – a peer support service that offers a safe and confidential way to talk about whatever is on your mind at any time of day or night.
Assessment
Each module is assessed by an unseen written exam, which is usually held in May or June. You can sit your exams at any approved centre around the world. These centres charge a fee for hosting the exams.
Your exam is set and assessed by academics at LSE, ensuring that your degree is of the same standard as those studying on-campus in London.
If you study the following courses from the Information System selection group, you will also need to undertake a project or coursework.
- IS1060 Introduction to information systems
- IS2182 Innovating digital systems and services
- IS3139 Software engineering: theory and application
- IS3159 Research project in information systems.
- ST2187 Business analytics, applied modelling and prediction
- ST3188 Statistical methods for market research
- ST3189 Machine learning
- ST2195 Programming for data science.
LSE provides academic direction for this programme. LSE is regarded as an international centre of academic excellence and innovation in the social sciences.
About the LSE Summer School
LSE’s Summer School is the most well-established and the largest of its kind in the whole of Europe, with over 80 academically rigorous courses on offer. Each year over 6,000 students from 120 nations study at the LSE campus in the heart of Central London.
Courses are taught by LSE faculty and complement the content of this degree. If you complete two Summer School courses you may be able to earn credit equivalent to one course on the degree. As a student on this programme you will receive a 15 per cent discount on tuition fees to attend the LSE Summer School.
Full details and how to apply are available on the LSE Summer School website.
Key dates
| Applications open | |
|---|---|
| Applications close | |
| Registration deadline | |
| Programme starts | November 2024 |
Admissions
What qualifications will you need?
For access to the BSc Politics and International Relations degree, you will usually meet the following criteria:
- Age 17+ by 30 November in the year of registration.
- Satisfy our General Entrance Requirements (see above).
- Mathematics to UK GCSE Level (Grade 4) or equivalent
- An acceptable Humanities or Social Science subject at UK GCSE Level (Grade 5) or equivalent if registering via the Independent Learner Route (ILR). This includes but is not limited to History, Politics or Philosophy
Even if you don’t meet the standard requirements, we will consider each application on its own merits. Our Admissions Panel will consider whether any alternative/incomplete qualifications or work experience you have are suitable for entry to the programme.
I don’t meet the entry requirements. What can I do?
If you are not eligible for this programme, you may be able to study the CertHE Social Sciences before progressing with credit. This programme must be studied at an approved local teaching centre.
Alternatively, you might be interested in our International Foundation Programme. This pre-university programme is equivalent in standard to qualifications studied in Year 13 (i.e. A levels) and must also be studied at an approved local teaching centre.
Graduate entry route
You may apply for graduate entry if you hold an acceptable undergraduate or postgraduate award and are registering via a Recognised Teaching Centre. The award must be at least one year full-time in duration and considered at least comparable in level to a UK bachelor degree. Professional qualifications and memberships will be considered on an individual basis.
You must also satisfy English language and any mathematics requirements for your chosen degree.
What do I need for graduate entry?
English Language requirements
You need to demonstrate a good level of English to be admitted to our programmes. We accept a range of evidence, including proficiency test scores. If you don’t have evidence but believe you can meet the standard, we may consider your case.
Do I meet the language requirements?
Computer requirements
We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly. For this degree, you will also need to be able to view video material and a media player (such as VLC) to play video files.
If you have studied material as part of a previous qualification that is comparable in content, level and standard to our EMFSS degree modules, you may be exempted from the equivalent course of our degree. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Exemption. You will not need to study or be assessed in the module(s) to complete your award.
Standard entry route: You may apply for RPL mapped against for up to a total of 120 UK credits (four 100/ first-year level courses or equivalent).
Graduate entry route: You may apply for RPL mapped against for up to a total of 30 UK credits (one 100 course or equivalent).
You are not permitted to apply for RPL via the Independent Learner Route.
You cannot apply for RPL for 200 or 300 courses of a BSc.
To be considered for RPL you should make a formal request within your application when applying for the programme. Or, you can submit an online enquiry, if you have already applied.
You will need to have met the entrance requirements for the programme to be considered for RPL.
You must have completed the qualification/ examination(s), on which the application for RPL is based on, within the five years preceding the application.
We will not consider RPL if you have already entered for the assessment in the module concerned.
Automatic
Some qualifications are automatically recognised as meeting the learning outcomes of our courses. If you satisfy the conditions, we will accredit your prior learning as detailed within the Qualifications for Automatic RPL table: Recognition of Prior Learning degrees In EMFSS. No fees are charged for this service.
With the exception of the qualifications noted in the automatic RPL section on our website, applications for RPL based on examinations from professional institutions or professional certificates will not normally be considered.
Discretionary RPL
Other qualifications will need to be assessed by specialist academics on a case by case basis, before we can approve RPL. A formal application is required and an RPL application fee is payable. The RPL application fee is non-refundable, even if your prior learning is not recognised.
Your qualification must be at the appropriate level (equivalent to a UK Level 4 qualification or above) to be considered.
For your discretionary RPL request to be processed, you will need to provide: a completed RPL request form, the supporting documentary evidence (normally a scanned copy of an official transcript and syllabus of your previous studies) and the discretionary RPL fee.
You should apply as early as possible to ensure we have sufficient time to review your qualifications and so you can register by the registration deadline.
Note: All discretionary RPL requests must be submitted by the dates specified in the year that you apply. We must receive all required supporting evidence by the deadline stated.
| November 2024 intake | |
|---|---|
| Submit RPL request by | 01 October 2024 |
| Submit supporting evidence by | 15 October 2024 |
If you submit your discretionary RPL application but are too late to be considered for RPL in the current session, we will still process your application to study the programme. If you receive an offer, you can still register. If you wish to be considered for RPL in a subsequent session, then you shouldn’t register on the modules you want to apply for RPL.
How to request RPL:
Additional information about the process of applying for RPL.
Further information regarding RPL is covered in the Recognition of Prior Learning section of the appropriate Programme Regulations and Section 3 of the General Regulations
Fees, funding and payment
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.
Students who registered earlier can view their fees on the Course Fees page.
| Academic year | 2024-2025 |
|---|---|
| Application fee (non-refundable) | £60 |
| Assessment re-entry fee per course | £413 |
| Assessment re-entry fee per half course | £207 |
| Online examination fee* | £11 |
| Fee per course (inclusive of first assessment entry) | £628 |
| Fee per half course (inclusive of first assessment entry) | £314 |
| Other fees (as applicable) | 2024-2025 |
| Application fee for accreditation of prior learning (per full course) | £130 |
| Application fee for accreditation of prior learning (per half course) | £65 |
| Indicative total: standard BSc | £7976 |
| Indicative total: graduate BSc | £5867 |
Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool
The indicative totals reflect average annual fee increases and assume that you complete the qualification within the minimum time – without resits, and with no law courses (which require additional fees). Indicative totals will be available shortly.
*The online examination administration fee is charged for each examination paper held online, including resits. This does not apply to any coursework submissions. This fee will be charged at the point of exam entry and is in addition to the exam entry fee listed above.
Additional Costs
You may also need to budget for:
- Textbooks (could extend to around £300 per year)
- Teaching centre tuition costs
- Exam centre fees, which are paid directly to the venues where you sit your exams.
We accept most traditional payment methods, including debit/credit card, international money order, and Western Union.
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).
Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London diploma anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there may be additional sources of support depending on where you live.
You can pay your fees in a number of ways, including an online payment facility via the Student Portal and Western Union Quick Pay.
Career opportunities
This degree will help to prepare you for careers in politics, research, management and consultancy. You could also gain entry to a master’s programme in this field.
The programme will help you to question and analyse information, develop arguments, and boost your analytical and communication skills – all of which are valued by employers.
In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching institution.
You’ll have access to a wide range of careers and employability support through the University of London Careers Service, including live webinars and online drop-in sessions.
Apply now
Thank you for your interest in studying with us. Applications are currently closed for this course. Check the key dates section when applications open or register your interest.
Register your interest
