Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Undergraduate BA (Hons)
Critically explore politics and some of the most pressing issues facing us today. You’ll have the opportunity to enhance your studies with fantastic placements.
You’ll choose a pathway to study*:
Critically explore divisive local, national and international political issues such as migration, populism and environmental change.
As part of your course, you’ll:
*You can apply to study the single honours degree or one of the combined awards listed. You’ll be able to apply direct to UCAS for the combined awards using the UCAS codes provided.
BA (Hons) Politics with Global Development (UCAS code L208)
BA (Hons) Politics with International Relations (UCAS code L201)
BA (Hons) Politics with Human Rights (UCAS code L203)
Immersive learning
With our range of politics events, volunteering options, study abroad opportunities, and guest speakers, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in a rich learning and practical environment that will fully prepare you for the career you choose.
Building your future potential
As a student in the School of Humanities & Social Sciences, you’ll be encouraged to think about your future career right from the start of your learning journey. Information and advice about relevant future career options will be built into the first year of your degree. During your second and third years of study, you’ll be able to choose modules with live brief learning challenges (real life projects designed by employers) and work placement opportunities.
You’ll undertake a volunteering placement of your choosing as part of our Active Citizenship module, helping those in need - whether it's helping refugees learn English, working at a food bank or teaching in a foreign country.
Hands-on study
You’ll have the opportunity to design a mock project targeted at a non-government organisation. You’ll practise lobbying your ideas during a test interview, enhancing your employability skills. Previous students have explored ways to limit the problems of globalisation.
Research expertise
All of our course team are research-active, working around the world for the development of society. Many carry out government-funded research and help to advise the EU on policy. These links will help ensure your course content is applicable to the wider world and could help if you are writing a project or research proposals for international organisations.
*National Student Survey 2025
Politics at Leeds Beckett | Course Overview Interested in understanding political systems and the forces shaping society? Our staff and students offer an inside look at our BA (Hons) Politics course. Explore key topics and discover how this degree can pave the way for a variety of careers.
Politics and International Relations Festival at Leeds Beckett University Hear more about what the annual Politics and International Relations Festival involves
We Support: Volunteering opportunities at Leeds Beckett
Why climate change is causing conflict in Africa Dr Olayinka Ajala, a lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Leeds Beckett University, shares his ground-breaking research into why climate change is causing conflict in Africa and explains how this feeds into his teaching so that students can relate what they are learning to current world issues.
points required
If you’re unsure how to work out your UCAS points we have a UCAS Tariff Calculator which will do it for you. All you need to do is enter your qualifications and let the UCAS Tariff Calculator do the maths.
We have welcomed students from over 140 countries to study at Leeds Beckett University. If you are interested in studying with us you can find all the information you need about entry requirements and how to apply on our country specific pages.
points required
UCAS Tariff Points: 104-112 points required.
(Minimum 64-72 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies).
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
*We operate a contextual admissions policy, which means we consider a range of additional factors when we assess a student’s application. Applicants who meet at least one of our contextual admissions criteria may be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points than our published tariff.
We have welcomed students from over 140 countries to study at Leeds Beckett University. If you are interested in studying with us you can find all the information you need about entry requirements and how to apply on our country specific pages.
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study; the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.
UK
The annual tuition fee for students entering in the 2026/27 academic year is anticipated to be £9790 (the maximum annual tuition fee cap announced by the UK Government, which is subject to parliamentary approval).
For each subsequent year of study, the University may charge up to the maximum annual tuition fee cap set by the UK Government, which may increase in line with any uplift determined by the UK Government by law or government policy (such increases are expected to be linked to inflation).
International 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £16840.
For students entering in 2026
The annual tuition fee for students entering in the 2026/27 academic year is anticipated to be £9790 (the maximum annual tuition fee cap announced by the UK Government, which is subject to parliamentary approval).
For each subsequent year of study, the University may charge up to the maximum annual tuition fee cap set by the UK Government, which may increase in line with any uplift determined by the UK Government by law or government policy (such increases are expected to be linked to inflation).
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £16840.
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
We are committed to ensuring that an education at Leeds Beckett University is open to all. If you're thinking of joining us for undergraduate study, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship or bursary to help with the cost of university. To find out if you are be eligible visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
We also offer a range of non-repayable scholarships for international students. To find out if you may be eligible visit our scholarships for international students page and select your home country from the drop-down list.
94%
of students on BA (Hons) Politics (with pathways) were positive about the way teaching staff explain things
A degree in politics can take you and your career in lots of different directions. You could work in education, policy research or campaigning. With vital skills in research analysis, critical thinking, communication and teamworking,you could secure employment in the civil service, in the media or with charitable organisations. You could also take your studies further by selecting a course from our range of postgraduate programmes. We offer masters in Peace & Development, International Human Rights Practice and International Relations.
Dr Robin Redhead is Course Director in Politics and International Relations. She specialises in using co-production methods to bring survivors voices into policymaking environments in the field of human rights/human trafficking. She has developed partnerships in East Africa.
We have a dedicated team of people who will support you with all aspects of your career planning, from day one until 18 months after you graduate.
Getting you career ready is an integral part of your university life and this is embedded throughout your lectures and seminars. Outside of your course there is a wide range of support available to help you achieve your career goals, including:
We are ranked 13th Best UK University for Careers Service
(Student Crowd Awards, 2024 – the only awards based entirely on student reviews).
Find out why...
BA (Hons) Politics with International Relations BA (Hons) Politics with International Relations student Jess talks about her experiences at Leeds Beckett.
Step inside our immersive 360° virtual tour and discover cutting-edge facilities, dynamic learning spaces, and everything our campus has to offer.
With great music venues, culture, shopping and parks – we’ve got it all. Voted no.1 student city in the UK* and the Best Place to Live in the North and Northeast**.
*StudentCrowd, Best Student Cities UK, 2024
**The Sunday Times Best Place to Live guide, 2024.
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