University of Kent
University of Kent

University of Kent

Darwin Road, Canterbury CT2 7NZ Canterbury, United Kingdom Visit web page

Politics and International Relations

Study detals

: Bachelor's degree : BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations : Full time : 36 Month

Requirements

GCE/GCSE

The minimum requirements are:

  • five passes at GCSE grade C (or grade 4) or above, including English Language or Use of English (IGCSE English as a Second Language, grade B or grade 6), and at least two subjects at A level OR
  • three passes at GCE A level and a pass at grade C (or grade 4) or above in GCSE English Language or Use of English.

Offers are normally based on achieving three A levels or equivalent at Level 3, although some University subject areas may specify differently. You must have a minimum of two A level equivalents at Level 3 in two subjects (ie two A levels or one vocational double award).

We base offers on a combination of GCSE/AS/VCE A level/A level/other qualifications or predicted grades, your personal statement and reference.

See our GCSE conversion table to understand how A* to C grades are matched with the numerical system.

Other qualifications

We are happy to consider other qualifications on a case-by-case basis, including the following qualifications, providing they demonstrate a satisfactory standard and include a pass in English at the equivalent of GCSE:

  • Scottish (SQA) higher/advanced higher qualifications
  • Irish Leaving Certificate
  • European Baccalaureate Diploma
  • Certificate in Education
  • university degree
  • Advanced International Certificate of Education
  • Advanced Placement (AP) – a minimum of two full APs is required
  • Overseas certificates (including some other European Union (EU) countries)
  • Higher School Certificate of Matriculation of approved overseas and EU authorities
  • American High School Diplomas if accompanied by two full AP passes
  • School Certificates and Higher School Certificates awarded by a body approved by the University
  • matriculation from an approved university, with a pass in English Language at GCSE/O level or an equivalent level in an approved English language test
  • Kent’s foundation programmes, provided you meet the subject requirements for the degree course you intend to study

Subjects accepted for the General Entry Requirement

  • Kent generally accepts any A level syllabus approved by the AQA, OCR, WJEC and Edexcel and CIE awarding bodies, though we regard some subjects as more suitable than others.
  • We do not accept the more vocational subjects if offered as one of only two A level passes.
  • We count subjects with a significant overlap as one subject.
  • We may accept two mathematical subjects at the same level provided that the course syllabuses were substantially different (for example, a combination of Pure and Applied Mathematics or of Mathematics and Further Mathematics). We will accept papers in Mathematics and Further Mathematics set on the SMP syllabus. A level 'Use of Mathematics' is not accepted by some degree subjects as meeting requirements for a specific grade in A level Mathematics.
  • Some academic schools may take into consideration passes in Level 2 functional skills communication and numeracy where you cannot meet the matriculation requirements for English and Maths at GCSE level. However, you are advised to try to retake GCSE English and Mathematics as these will provide a better preparation for studying at university.

English Language Requirements

Level CEFR IELTS Equivalent
Good

B2

6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
Very Good B2 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
Excellent C1 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component

Speciality

Pathways Available: International Foundation Year | International Year Zero

Additional information

Degree Overview

Make sense of the complex world of politics and international relations. Whether it’s climate change, the rise of tyrannical leaders, gender politics, or the misuse of artificial intelligence and big data, you will understand today’s political problems and gain the skills to pursue a career that can solve them.

You also benefit from the expertise of staff who have advised governments and conducted conflict mediation exercises. You’ll deepen your understanding and develop solutions to a range of issues, such as the impact of the pandemic on politics and political polarisation.

In a changing world that’s becoming more digitalised, we have adapted our modules to meet the professional skills expectations in the industry today. You will learn about the challenges to democracy across the world, and think about how technologies like artificial intelligence can reshape the future.