Aberystwyth University United Kingdom

BA International Relations / History

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

The BA International Relations / History degree at Aberystwyth University offers you a unique opportunity to explore the intricate connections between historical events and contemporary global politics. This undergraduate programme is ideal if you are passionate about understanding the forces that have shaped our world and continue to influence international affairs. You will delve into core concepts of international relations and historical analysis, examining themes such as power, conflict, and societal change across diverse historical periods and geographical regions. This degree equips you with a critical lens to analyse complex global challenges.

This full-time, on-campus degree is studied over three years, providing you with a comprehensive academic journey. You will engage with a wide array of modules, from introductory courses on global development and historical methodologies to advanced topics like European security, political theory, and specific historical case studies. Your learning experience will culminate in a substantial dissertation, allowing you to conduct in-depth research on a topic of your choice. Graduates will possess analytical, research, and critical thinking skills, preparing you for careers in diplomacy, policy analysis, journalism, and international organisations.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This program offers a comprehensive study of international relations and history, exploring global dynamics and historical contexts. You will engage with core concepts in international politics and historical analysis, alongside a wide range of optional modules. These options allow for specialization in areas such as European history, global development, political theory, and the history of various regions and conflicts. The curriculum culminates in a dissertation, providing an opportunity for in-depth independent research.

1 Year 1 Modules

Behind the Headlines Core
Exploring the International 1: Central Concepts and Core Skills Core
Introduction to History Core
Europe and the World, 1000-2000 Option
Globalization and Global Development Option
Medieval and Early Modern Britain and Europe, 1000-1800 Option
People, Power and Identity: Wales 1200-1999 Option
Politics in the 21st Century Option
The Making of the Modern World: War, Peace and Revolution since 1789 Option
The Modern World, 1789 to the Present Option
War, Strategy and Intelligence Option
'Hands on' History: Sources and their Historians Option

2 Year 2 Modules

International Relations: Perspectives and Debates Core
Making History Core
A War on the Mind: Propaganda and Secret Intelligence from the Great War to the 21st Century Option
Britain and Ireland in War and Peace since 1800 Option
Britain and World Politics from Global Empire to Brexit: The Diplomacy of Decline Option
Capitalism and International Politics Option
China From the Opium War to the Present Option
Climate Change Politics Option
Climate Change and International Politics in the Anthropocene Option
Contemporary Latin America Option
Devolution and Wales Option
Economic Diplomacy and Leadership Option
European Security in 21st Century Option
Gender, Conflict and Security Option
Global Politics and the Refugee Regime Option
International Politics and Global Development Option
International Politics and the Nuclear Age Option
Intervention and Humanitarianism Option
Knowing about Violent Conflict in International Politics Option
Middle Powers in the Global Political Economy Option
Militaries and Crisis: Where Strategy Meets Society Option
Nationalism in Theory and Practice Option
People and Power: Understanding Comparative Politics Today Option
Political Theory Option
Politics in Diverse Societies Option
Questions of International Politics Option
Race in Global Politics Option
Refugee Simulation Option
Russian Security in the 21st Century Option
Russian Intelligence from Lenin to Putin Option
Science, Technology, and International Relations Option
Strategy, Intelligence and Security in International Politics Option
Terrorism & Counter Terrorism in the Modern World: Policing, Intelligence & War Option
The Arab-Israeli Wars Option
The BRICS in World Politics Option
The British Army's Image in Battle, from the Crimean to the Present Option
The European Union: Politics, Policies, Problems Option
The Governance of Climate Change: Simulation Module Option
The Long Shadow of the Second World War Option
The Past and Present of US Intelligence Option
The Politics and Paradoxes of International Organisations Option
The Second World War in Europe Option
Total War, Total Peace Option
Trade Wars and the Liberal Order Option
UK Politics Today: A Union Under Strain? Option
War Crimes Option
Warfare after Waterloo: Military History 1815-1918 Option
Women and Global Development Option
African-American History, 1808 to the Present Option
Between Revolution and Reform: China since 1800 Option
Crime, Riot and Morality in Wales 1750-1850 Option
Culture, Society and the Victorians Option
Environmental History of the Neotropics (Latin America and the Caribbean) in the Capitalocene Option
Famine in Medieval England Option
From Poor Law to Welfare State: Poverty and Welfare in Modern Britain, 1815-1948 Option
Germany since 1945 Option
Magic in the Middle Ages: From Antiquity to the Eve of the Witch Craze Option
Media and Society in Twentieth Century Britain Option
Medieval England and Germany, c. 1050-1250 Option
Roads to Modernity: Germany and Japan in the Age of Empires, 1860s-1930s Option
Science, Religion and Magic Option
Southeast Asia at the crossroads (c. 1400 to the present) Option
The Atlantic World, 1492-1825 Option
The British Isles in the Long Eighteenth Century Option
The European Reformation Option
The Making of Europe: Christendom and Beyond, c. 1000-1300 Option
The Nazi Dictatorship: Regime and Society in Germany 1933-1945 Option
The Tudors: A European Dynasty? Option
Wales and the Kings of Britain: Conflict, Power and Identities in the British Isles 1039-1417 Option
Wales under the Tudors Option
War, Politics and People: England in Context in the Fourteenth Century Option
History as Myth-Making: the 'Myth of the Blitz' Option
Interdisciplinary and Decolonial History Option
Memory, Myth and History: Investigating Medieval Chronicles, c. 1000-1250 Option
Reading a Building Option
Recounting Racism: Oral History and Modern American Race Relations Option
Seals in Their Context in Medieval England and Wales Option
Victorian Visions: Exploring Nineteenth-Century Exhibitions Option

3 Year 3 Modules

Dissertation Core
A War on the Mind: Propaganda and Secret Intelligence from the Great War to the 21st Century Option
African-American History, 1808 to the Present Option
Between Revolution and Reform: China since 1800 Option
Britain and Ireland in War and Peace since 1800 Option
Britain and World Politics from Global Empire to Brexit: The Diplomacy of Decline Option
Capitalism and International Politics Option
China From the Opium War to the Present Option
Climate Change and International Politics in the Anthropocene Option
Contemporary Latin America Option
Crime, Riot and Morality in Wales 1750-1850 Option
Culture, Society and the Victorians Option
Devolution and Wales Option
Economic Diplomacy and Leadership Option
Environmental History of the Neotropics (Latin America and the Caribbean) in the Capitalocene Option
European Security in the 21st Century Option
Famine in Medieval England Option
From Poor Law to Welfare State: Poverty and Welfare in Modern Britain, 1815-1948 Option
Gender, Conflict and Security Option
Germany since 1945 Option
Global Politics and the Refugee Regime Option
International Politics and the Nuclear Age Option
Intervention and Humanitarianism Option
Knowing about Violent Conflict in International Politics Option
Magic in the Middle Ages: From Antiquity to the Eve of the Witch Craze Option
Media and Society in Twentieth Century Britain Option
Medieval England and Germany, c. 1050-1250 Option
Middle Powers in the Global Political Economy Option
Militaries and Crisis: Where Strategy Meets Society Option
Nationalism in Theory and Practice Option
Political Theory Option
Politics in Diverse Societies Option
Race in Global Politics Option
Refugee Simulation Option
Roads to Modernity: Germany and Japan in the Age of Empires, 1860s-1930s Option
Russian Security in the 21st Century Option
Russian Intelligence from Lenin to Putin Option
Science, Religion and Magic Option
Science, Technology, and International Relations Option
Southeast Asia at the crossroads (c. 1400 to the present) Option
Terrorism & Counter Terrorism in the Modern World: Policing, Intelligence & War Option
The Arab-Israeli Wars Option
The Atlantic World, 1492-1825 Option
The BRICS in World Politics Option
The British Army's Image in Battle, from the Crimean to the Present Option
The British Isles in the Long Eighteenth Century Option
The European Reformation Option
The European Union: Politics, Policies, Problems Option
The Long Shadow of the Second World War Option
The Making of Europe: Christendom and Beyond, c. 1000-1300 Option
The Nazi Dictatorship: Regime and Society in Germany 1933-1945 Option
The Past and Present of US Intelligence Option
The Politics and Paradoxes of International Organisations Option
The Second World War in Europe Option
The Tudors: A European Dynasty? Option
Total War, Total Peace Option
Trade Wars and the Liberal Order Option
UK Politics Today: A Union Under Strain? Option
Wales and the Kings of Britain: Conflict, Power and Identities in the British Isles 1039-1417 Option
Wales under the Tudors Option
War Crimes Option
War, Politics and People: England in Context in the Fourteenth Century Option
Women and Global Development Option

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

10% off
First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 23,256.00 USD 25,939.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 25,939.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 25,939.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 75,134.00 USD 77,817.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 689.00 - USD 1,322.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,417.00 - USD 4,028.00
Transport USD 645.00 - USD 1,289.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,128.00 - USD 1,934.00
Estimated Total USD 4,190.00 - USD 7,251.00

Living cost estimates are based on Penglais campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

96%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Amusement & Recreation ServicesBrokerage & Trading & SecuritiesConstruction Technology & Digital SolutionsCurriculum & Instructional DesignEducation Policy & AdministrationFisheries & AquacultureResidential ConstructionSecondary & High School EducationSports & AthleticsSupply Chain & Commodity Trading

Top Employers Hiring for this course

Department for Business and Trade

European commission

National Museum Cardiff

National Trust

Why Study BA International Relations / History at Aberystwyth University

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at Aberystwyth University in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BA International Relations / History at Aberystwyth University

Can I work while studying?

As a degree student in the UK, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks without a separate work permit. Part-time students are not permitted to work.

What English language score do I need for this course?

For the TOEFL, you'll need an overall score of 93 with specific minimums in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The IELTS requires a minimum overall score of 6.5, while the PTE mandates an overall score of 59.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Potential job titles include Policy Analyst, Diplomat, Historian, International Business Consultant, and Researcher.

What will I actually study in this course?

This degree combines insights from International Politics and History, allowing you to explore topics such as the evolution of political structures and themes of power and migration. You'll benefit from excellent teaching and a vibrant research community.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA International Relations / History program at Aberystwyth University has an intake in September. Ensure you apply before the deadline to secure your place.
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
 
Account
  • New student?

Search for universities & courses

ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️