Undergraduate degrees in Politics and International Relations

Get to the heart of current political thinking and debate and shape your learning to your passions and interests.

Why study politics and international relations at York?

At York, you'll be at the very forefront of global debates. Internationally-recognised experts will lead your teaching. You'll interrogate their latest research, much of which is driving national and international conversations. Working in a global community, you'll collaborate with students from a variety of backgrounds. In doing so, you'll discover how politics around the world impacts and influences us all.

Personalise your learning to the areas of politics and international relations that you're passionate about. All our courses give you a range of option modules to choose from. You can even study a combined course and explore the interface between the subjects you love.

Contact us

poli-ug-admissions@york.ac.uk

Our courses

Combined courses

Or search all undergraduate courses.

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Course options

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course. You'll also have the chance to take a placement year.

If you're studying at a university outside the UK, you may be able to spend up to a year in York as a visiting student.

Scholarships and funding

Find out about scholarships and studentships that are available to students in the Department of Politics and International Relations.

Undergraduate funding

15th in the UK

for Politics in the Guardian University Guide 2026.

Ranked in the UK top ten

for the quality of our research outputs and our research environment in the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).

9th in the UK

for Graduate Prospects in Politics, in the Times Good University Guide 2026.

Careers

Our graduates forge successful careers all over the world. They are highly sought after by employers in a range of sectors. This includes public administration, local and national government, non-profit NGOs, the private sector and more.
Any of our courses can include a placement year in industry, allowing you to graduate with a substantial amount of work experience. You could apply to roles that are related to your degree, such as the House of Commons Placement Scheme or a placement with YouGov, or to a business-related placement in a wide variety of organisations and industries. You'll also have the opportunity to add a year abroad to your course or undertake internships during your study.
Our dedicated careers consultant will help you work out what you want to do and how you’re going to get there. You can book one-to-one sessions and get individual guidance on developing your employability.
You’ll develop skills in problem-solving, evaluating evidence, forming reasoned arguments, thinking creatively, and considering different viewpoints.

Learn more about careers and employability