Politics and International Relations

Our world is a complex, contradictory place. In many ways, we’re broader minded and better connected than ever before; in others, the impact of war, disease, intolerance and instability threatens to undermine our progress. With divisive, post-factual ‘truths’ continuing to infiltrate the news, it’s often hard to know what’s really happening — but we’ll give you the critical skills to hear through that noise.

Emphasising the interplay between leadership, communication, and creativity,we’ve combined the insights of our separate politics and international relations courses into one exciting, interdisciplinary degree. The core modules give you the theoretical rudiments, while the electives offer you the chance to specialise in the debates and issues that interest you the most. The focus throughout is on applied skill: you can work with local activist groups, complete a placement, design and trial your own campaign proposals, and debate the biggest issues with NTU’s Politics and International Relations Society.

The change you want to see starts here, with you. Studying with us, you’ll learn to identify and diffuse conflict. You’ll develop as a leader, an effective communicator, and someone who can formulate and pitch ideas with creativity and confidence. You’ll thrive, you’ll grow, and you’ll inspire — whether that’s as an MP, a diplomat, a lobbyist, a community leader, a security analyst, or any of the other roles this highly versatile degree lends itself to.

Why study Politics and 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.