Strand Campus
Strand Campus sits along the Thames at London's cultural heart. Alongside world-class teaching spaces, students enjoy access to the pedestrianised Strand Quad, with Somerset House and iconic landmarks just steps away.
Overview
This three-year undergraduate course equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand, investigate, and analyse contemporary world politics, including its theoretical and historical dimensions. It enables you to develop the knowledge and skills you will need to thrive in today’s fast-changing world and prepares you for a wide range of careers.
You will develop the ability to collect and evaluate a broad range of evidence, analyse complex issues and present arguments in a clear, concise, and effective manner, both orally and in writing.
- You will learn to think critically and independently and develop a range of skills that will support your intellectual, professional and personal development.
- The programme is structured around four pillars of study: International History, International Relations Theory, International Political Economy, and International Practice (including diplomacy, foreign policy and strategy). You are introduced to each of these pillars in your first year, and this provides the foundation of your study of International Relations in subsequent years.
- In your second year, you will take two required modules, one on research methods and one on global politics. You will also choose from a range of modules offered by the Department of War Studies, by the Department of European & International Studies. This allows you to develop knowledge of the areas of study that appeal most to you.
- The final year consists of optional modules drawn from a wide range of specialist topics and a research dissertation on a subject of your choice. The optional modules provide you with the opportunity to study in-depth on a range of specialist subjects that are designed to take advantage of current research expertise in the Department of War Studies, the Department of European & International Studies, King's Business School and the Dickson Poon School of Law.
Students can take one language module free of charge as part of their programme. This can be taken as additional credit in either Year 2 or Year 3, or as a for-credit module in Year 3.
Key benefits
- King's is a leading centre for the study of international relations, global security, and conflict and conflict resolution. Your learning will be supported by world renowned international scholars, including experts in politics, history, sociology, law, philosophy, and technology, and by strong links to governments, international organisations, and NGOs around the world.
- In Year 2 and 3 you are able to choose from a wide variety of modules, enabling you to develop your specialist interests.
- High-profile visitors contribute lectures to modules and are featured at extra-curricular events.
- Our vibrant, diverse academic community supports graduates to acquire the transferable skills and global perspective needed for careers in government, diplomacy, journalism, policy, risk analysis, management consulting, defence, humanitarian aid, international organisations, and beyond. We do this in multiple ways. For example, we utilise a diverse set of assessments, including policy briefs, presentations, essays, group projects and exams. We also leverage our central London location to bring in practitioners to share their experience, expertise, and to support your skill development.
- King’s location in the heart of London means that you will have access to an unparalleled range of resources outside King’s: government, the City of London, the media, leading NGOs, museums including the Imperial War Museum, as well as major libraries and research institutes.
- We rank 4th in the UK for International Relations (The Guardian Education Rankings by Subject 2026)
I got to meet a lot of people with different opinions and from different backgrounds, which is really interesting when we get to share all that in debates during seminars. I find King’s amazing because it offers you a great balance between your studies and personal life, and I’m really excited about studying there for another two years.
Lili-RoseInternational Relations BA
Special features
Optional study abroad
Key Information
UCAS code:
L250
Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full-time
Required A-Levels:
AAA
Duration:
Three years
Application status:
Start date:
September 2027
Application deadline:
Administrative bodies
Course accreditation
Reviewed, inspected and accredited by the King's College London and Affiliates
Regulating body
Base campuses
Waterloo Campus
Centrally located and well connected, Waterloo brings together students from health, science and law, just steps from the South Bank. It's also home to the world's #2 nursing school – the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery (QS 2026).