BA in Global Politics
Course Overview
The BA in Global Politics at LSLPE is a UK Level 6 honours degree running three years full-time with part-time and accelerated routes across on-campus, online and distance-learning delivery. The programme is aligned with Political Studies Association and British International Studies Association guidance, and draws structured case content from Chatham House, the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the UN Association UK.
By graduation you will have argued country-risk problems in the case-room, produced comparative political-system briefings, completed a year-two placement in a foreign-policy team, think tank or international organisation and defended a final-year dissertation. The BA in Global Politics is a credentialed launch pad for careers in diplomacy, foreign-policy analysis and international-development work.
Key Features
- Curriculum aligned with Political Studies Association and BISA guidance.
- Case sequences drawn from Chatham House, IISS and UN publications.
- Year-two placement in Whitehall, think tanks or international organisations.
- Seminars in the case-room and select-committee tradition.
- Final-year global-politics dissertation with a practising analyst as second supervisor.
- Three parallel study modes on the same weekly rhythm.
What You Will Learn
- Theories of international politics — realism, liberalism, constructivism and beyond.
- Comparative political systems across democracies, hybrid regimes and authoritarian states.
- UK foreign policy, Whitehall structures and the diplomatic network.
- International organisations — UN, NATO, EU, ASEAN and AU.
- Security studies including strategic-studies foundations.
- Global political economy — trade, development, sanctions.
- Human-rights frameworks in international politics.
- Research methods for a Level 6 global-politics dissertation.
Who This Course Is For
- School leavers targeting a global-politics honours degree.
- International applicants preparing for diplomatic and foreign-policy careers.
- Career changers moving from journalism, NGOs or business into international politics.
- Part-time learners in embassy, think-tank or NGO roles.
- Access to HE students progressing into a global-politics specialism.
Career Pathways
- Diplomat
- Foreign Policy Adviser
- International Relations Analyst
- Political Analyst
- International Affairs Officer
- Public Affairs Officer
- Development Diplomat
- Strategic Intelligence Analyst
The LSLPE careers service runs at least one careers day each academic year connecting BA in Global Politics students with foreign-policy teams, international organisations and think tanks in London.
Entry Requirements
- A-levels (or equivalent) at BBB or above, or a UK Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3, in a politics-relevant profile.
- GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C (or equivalent).
- IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
- Two academic references and a personal statement outlining your interest in global politics.
- International applicants receive dedicated visa and accommodation support from LSLPE admissions.
Why Study at LSLPE
LSLPE reads global politics as part of a live conversation with law and economics because international politics runs on treaty text, budget lines and market pressure at the same time. Central London places Whitehall, Chatham House, IISS and the LSE-adjacent think-tank ecosystem a short tube ride from every classroom.
Three parallel study modes let progressors, working practitioners and portfolio-route applicants complete the BA in Global Politics alongside employment, with named programme-tutor support and a careers service linking each cohort with real international organisations.
Apply for BA in Global Politics
Applications for the BA in Global Politics open across UCAS-equivalent windows and admissions responds within one working day. Apply for the LSLPE Bachelor's programme with a placement year in Whitehall, a think tank or an international organisation included. Enrol Now
