Enrolling on our International Relations degree will give you the opportunity to study politics in regional and global contexts, examine challenges to foreign policy decision making and consider problems of security, conflict, war, terrorism, international development and the international politics of dynamic regions.  

Our International Relations degree will develop your understanding of conflicts between states and their ability, or inability, to cooperate. If you are interested in going beyond the headlines on international affairs, this is the course for you.

The BA (Hons) International Relations degree blends concepts with case studies to equip you with specific methods of analysis in international relations — the kind of analytical skills that employers value.

By studying International Relations at Loughborough you will: 

• Study the subjects that interest you. Our teaching offers a wide range of topics, styles of delivery and forms of assessment, meaning you can tailor the course to best fit your personal and academic development.
• Join a highly ranked university and department. We receive consistently high rankings in university guides.
• Gain transferable skills valued by employers. All our students gain important transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication skills, analysis, research, independent and group work, which will help you secure employment after graduation.
• Be taught by world-leading experts. Our lecturers are internationally recognised experts in their fields of research and teaching. You will often be learning at the cutting edge of ongoing research.
• Be supported to fulfil your potential. We recognise that our students have different backgrounds and different learning styles and we support everyone to fulfil their potential. This includes through our Personal Academic Tutor system and extensive and tailored support provided by Loughborough University.
• Become part of a supportive and inclusive community. Based in the newly refurbished Morag Bell building, our students have work and hang-out spaces down the corridor from our lecturers whose doors you can knock on for help and support.
• Attend exciting events organised by our staff and students. These have included a Q&A with local MPs, roundtable discussions on US politics, lectures from visiting scholars, student quizzes in competition with other departments, and a School of Social Sciences and Humanities Ball.
• Have the opportunity to undertake a placement, year abroad, year in enterprise or combination. All our students have this option, and you will then additionally be eligible for a Diploma in International Studies. You can decide to add this in your first or second year of study if you’re unsure when applying.