Politics and international relations is a fast-changing, broad-based discipline, allowing you to engage with the key issues of today. Our degree programme at Kent gives you a strong foundation in the subject with a specific focus on the global aspects of contemporary world politics.

The School of Politics and International Relations is an exciting place to study - you receive high-quality teaching informed by cutting-edge research on a range of political issues, such as ethno-political conflict, human rights, feminism, social theories of justice, divided societies, and US and European politics.

At Kent, you are taught by people who have advised government departments or have conducted international conflict mediation exercises. They bring this experience to their teaching, giving you the opportunity to see how theoretical ideas apply in the real world.

Many of our lecturers have also won teaching awards for their innovative teaching practices.

Our degree programme

This very popular programme combines all the strengths of our three-year BA degree in Politics and International Relations with the opportunity to spend a year in continental Europe at a partner institution. You can choose to study in the Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Poland or Turkey where the teaching is in English. A full list of our available partnerships is available on our Go Abroad pages.

You spend your first and second years at Kent, you then spend your third year in your chosen country, returning to Kent for your final year. You are taught in English throughout, which allows you to take advantage of the year abroad experience without having to learn the language of the country where you intend to study. 

Our programme helps you to think critically about political and international events, ideas and institutions.

You study in a supportive and responsive learning environment, gaining knowledge and understanding of the theory and analysis of politics and international relations.

We also offer the opportunity to combine the study of politics and international relations with a European language. For the language component, you can choose from French, German, Italian and Spanish. For details, see Politics and International Relations with a Language.

It is also possible to study abroad at other destinations. For details, see:

• Politics and International Relations with a Year in the Asia Pacific
• Politics and International Relations with a Year in North America.

In addition, we offer a three-year Politics and International Relations programme without a year abroad. For details, see Politics and International Relations.

Student view

Politics and International Relations student Granit talks about his course at Kent.

Study resources

Facilities and resources to support the study of Politics and International Relations include:

• access to the European Documentation Centre
• a dedicated Student Support Officer, who advises on issues related to academic study as well as wider University life
• a Study Skills Officer, who provides subject-related guidance.

Extra activities

At Kent, there are many student societies related to your studies, for example:

• Current Affairs and Politics Society
• Kent European Debates Society
• Debating Society
• Kent Model United Nations Society.

You are also encouraged to get involved in the programme of events and activities run by the School of Politics and International Relations, which focuses on bridging the gap between academic study and real-life politics. Our Public Speaker Programme features prominent academics and practitioners, who are invited to speak on current issues.