International Relations BA (Hons)

The world of the future is globalised. Our planet is shared, our economy is interconnected, and the challenges we face demand co-operation — but international politics remains divided. This is the fundamental problem that students of International Relations (IR) must unravel, by confronting the critical issues we face as global citizens: from war and conflict, to climate change, global poverty, gender violence, and racial injustice.

Whatever your interests, IR@NTU is all about personalisation. After establishing the essentials in Year One, you’ll be designing your degree to reflect the things you want to explore. Maybe that’s political violence and terrorism, or the global politics of pop culture, or perhaps a regional focus on Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. You might want to consider a career in diplomacy or the media, or maybe you`re passionate about feminism or postcolonialism — IR@NTU has it all. The whole course culminates in a dissertation project where you’ll choose your topic, study it in real depth with the support of a specialist supervisor, and then become an IR expert yourself.

This course does IR differently by disrupting the discipline, developing innovative approaches to teaching, and encouraging more creative ways of learning. You’ll build the key transferable skills for a career in project management, diplomacy, the media, NGOs, logistics, multinational corporations, national security, and so much more. The jobs of the future are globalised, and nothing will prepare you better to succeed in that environment than our IR degree.

IR@NTU – The World is Yours.

Why study International Relations at NTU?


- Work on real-world collaborations, projects and simulations on topics which matter to you and develop core skills such as digital literacies and data visualization throughout.


- Study in the heart of the vibrant and multicultural city of Nottingham, with a proud political history steeped in community activism.


- You will have the opportunity to undertake an optional year-long placement and/or study abroad in your second year, with one of our international partners across the world.


- Learn a language as part of your degree with optional modules in your second and final year. Choosing between Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish, a new world of opportunities will open for you with beginner to advanced classes.

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is recognised as one of the UK's top three universities, ranking 1st for Course Quality and top five for Student Life and Employability (University Compare 2027).

Nottingham is one of the UK's top student cities and is located in one of England's most affordable regions. With more than 15,000 student rooms within walking distance of campus, there's accommodation to suit every budget. NTU also guarantees first-year accommodation for students studying in Nottingham (T&Cs apply).

Across five campuses in Nottingham and London, students benefit from world-class facilities, innovative learning spaces and a vibrant community. Whether you live on campus or commute, NTU offers an accessible and supportive student experience.

At NTU, you'll graduate with experience, not just a degree. Every course includes at least eight weeks of professional experience, backed by strong employer links, placement opportunities and long-term career support. NTU also offers Gold-rated teaching (TEF 2023) and is recognised for its high-quality teaching, excellent learning resources and student support.

Join NTU this September for academic excellence, career-focused learning and a thriving student community.