How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: International Affairs

UCAS code: L2E1

Start date: October 2026

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Government

What is the BA International Affairs?

The BA International Affairs is a one-year, final-year entry degree for transfer students who want to complete their undergraduate studies at a UK university renowned for international affairs.

Develop robust analytical skills, specialist knowledge of global systems, and gain a degree from a university renowned for its expertise in international affairs - preparing you to engage with policy, diplomacy, and global challenges.

Why this course

The BA International Affairs gives you the knowledge and critical insight to understand and respond to the major forces shaping the modern world. This final-year entry route is ideal for students who have already completed two years of undergraduate study elsewhere, allowing you to gain a UK degree in a single year while accessing innovative teaching, specialist expertise, and internationally recognised credentials.

You’ll study the core areas of international affairs - including global security, diplomacy, foreign policy, international organisations, global governance and development - while exploring real-world challenges such as climate change, terrorism, inequality, migration and shifting power in the international system.

You’ll learn within a globally recognised department whose work shapes debates in governments, international organisations and NGOs. Through seminars, independent research and collaborative projects, you’ll develop the analytical and communication skills needed to unpack complex global issues with clarity and confidence.

This degree will help you build the analytical depth, global awareness and research abilities necessary for evaluating complex global issues - capabilities that support strong career readiness across the field of international affairs - or continuation to postgraduate study.

Who should apply

Current undergraduates who have completed two years of study elsewhere and want to finish their degree in a single, intensive year at a leading UK university
Students seeking to gain UK academic credentials while preparing for careers with international impact and cross-cultural scope
Aspiring diplomats, policy advisors, humanitarian aid professionals, or international security specialists looking to build a globally recognised qualification
Critical thinkers eager to engage with global challenges, apply rigorous analysis, and translate insight into practical solutions

What you’ll learn

Global challenges: Examine contemporary international issues, from conflict and human rights to climate change and development
International dynamics: Study how nation-states, institutions, and global actors cooperate, compete, and exercise influence
Strategic diplomacy: Analyse decision-making frameworks, negotiation strategies, and foreign policy processes
Cross-cultural insight: Develop the cultural awareness and communication skills essential for international leadership
Research and analysis: Gain practical skills in research design, data interpretation, and evidence-based evaluation to study global affairs

Your learning experience

Intensive final-year focus: Complete your degree in a concentrated, academically rigorous final year, building on prior undergraduate study
Interactive teaching: Engage in lectures, seminars, and workshops in a vibrant department with deep global affairs expertise
Applied research and analysis: Participate in independent or supervised research projects, developing practical skills in analysis and evaluation
Career-focused skills: Gain training tailored to competitive international careers, from diplomacy to global NGOs and multilateral organisations
Globally minded community: Join a diverse cohort of students from around the world, enriching your cross-cultural perspective

Careers and outcomes

The BA International Affairs prepares you for careers in sectors and roles such as:

Diplomacy and government: Foreign Service Officer, diplomat, intelligence analyst
International NGOs: Human rights advocate, development specialist, humanitarian aid coordinator
Global organisations: UN, EU, NATO, Amnesty International, Save the Children
Media and communications: International journalist, foreign correspondent, geopolitical analyst
Research and academia: Think tank researcher, policy consultant, university lecturer

Employers of our graduates

Graduates from the Department of Government have held influential roles across government, international organisations, and public service, including:

UK Civil Service (Home Office, Foreign Commonwealth Development Office)
House of Commons
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)
Office for National Statistics

Meet the researchers

Professor Natasha Lindstaedt

Expert in international affairs

Department of Government, University of Essex

With over 25 years teaching and researching authoritarianism, democracy, and global security, Professor Natasha Lindstaedt has collaborated with the UN, EU External Action Service, International IDEA, and advised governments including the US and Canada. Her work on international crises and human security brings first-hand insight into global affairs.

Dr Prabin Khadka

Expert in international affairs

Department of Government, University of Essex

Dr Prabin Khadka has spent more than 20 years studying conflict and peacebuilding, working with the UN, Nepal Army, World Bank, and Danish Refugee Council across 12 countries. He has served as a Blue Helmet, advised governments on post-conflict recovery, and designed reintegration programs for refugees. He has real-world expertise in diplomacy, humanitarian work, and international security challenges.

Why choose Essex?

2nd in UK for research outputs in politics and international studies (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021)
9th in the UK for International Relations (Guardian University Guide 2026)
Our alumni include Members of Parliament, a Speaker of the House of Commons, a Home Secretary, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and many more leaders shaping global affairs

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

An average grade of 2:1 or 60% from 120 credits (240 ECTS credits) of a UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent)

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component. Applicants resident in China only: IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.

Structure

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Portfolio: Politics

(30 CREDITS)

This module gives students an opportunity to apply politics and international relations to address key issues facing society at the local, national and global level. For example, why do mass protests fail? What is next for women's rights in Afghanistan? Why are some civil wars so difficult to resolve? What effect will Covid-19 have on European welfare states? Is increasing political polarisation inevitable in an age of social media? This module will engage with different topics and themes to better understand how normative and positive approaches to political science and international relations can be used to comprehend issues in the contemporary world. Students will choose a topic of interest to them, conduct independent research on the topic, and produce a series of projects (a blogpost, a podcast, and a policy memo) that help them explore multifaceted ways of communicating what evidence-based research can tell society about different political events and outcomes around the world.

View Portfolio: Politics on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

International Current Affairs: Understanding our World

(15 CREDITS)

International Current Affairs (or Understanding Our World) aims to introduce you to cutting edge debates in international politics and media in the age of misinformation and post-truth. The module aims to prepare Essex students to be new generation of solution-focused graduates with a sophisticated understanding of the complexities of our interconnected world. Beyond the focus on the global North that usually dominate our understanding of international politics, the module will also provide insight into major events and crises in the global South, while reflecting on policies, how they are developed and their impact on the everyday life of citizens around the world.

View International Current Affairs: Understanding our World on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL

(60 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL

(15 CREDITS)

Teaching

Your teaching will be delivered using a variety of methods, including:

Seminars and classes
Classwork, including essays, exams and presentations
Written comments on essays

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of methods, including:

Written coursework
Presentations
Class participation
End-of-year examinations

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£9,790

International fee

£22,600

If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:

Placement year

20% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Study abroad

Full year abroad

15% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Single term abroad

Standard tuition fee

Scholarships and financial support

There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

Fees and funding guide

Home/UK fees and funding information

International fees and funding information

What's next

Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer. You have the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.

2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday 11 April 2026 - April Open Day

Saturday 20 June 2026 - June Open Day

Find out more

Applications for our full-time undergraduate courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full details on how to apply can be found on the filling in your UCAS undergraduate application web page.

Our UK students, and some of our EU and international students, who are still at school or college, can apply through their school. Your school will be able to check and then submit your completed application to UCAS. Our other international applicants (EU or worldwide) or independent applicants in the UK can also apply online through UCAS Apply.

The UCAS code for our University of Essex is ESSEX E70. The individual campus codes for our Loughton and Southend Campuses are 'L' and 'S' respectively.

You can find further information on how to apply, including information on transferring from another university, applying if you are not currently at a school or college, and applying for readmission on our How to apply and entry requirements page.

Offer Holder Days

If you receive an undergraduate offer to study with us in October 2025 and live in the UK, you will receive an email invitation to book onto one of our Offer Holder Days. Our Colchester Campus Offer Holder Days run from February to May 2025 on various Wednesdays and Saturdays, and our Southend Campus events run in April and May. These events provide the opportunity to meet your department, tour our campus and accommodation, and chat to current students. To support your attendance, we are offering a travel bursary, allowing you to claim up to £150 as reimbursement for travel expenses. For further information about Offer Holder Days, including terms and conditions and eligibility criteria for our travel bursary, please visit our webpage.

If you are an overseas offer-holder, you will be invited to attend one of our virtual events. However, you are more than welcome to join us at one of our in-person Offer Holder Days if you are able to - we will let you know in your invite email how you can do this.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

Chat to us

Got a question about this course? Chat with Professor Natasha Lindstaedt from the Department of Government.

Chat with Natasha

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Learn how to secure your place at Essex

Visit us virtually

Take a digital tour of the University of Essex

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Reserve your place on a campus visit

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

BA (Hons) International Affairs