International Relations

Why International Relations in Cardiff

The Welsh capital has emerged as a leading hub for studying global politics, partly because the university maintains active partnerships with the Welsh government, Westminster, G7, the UN, NATO and influential NGOs. This network gives students firsthand access to current developments while faculty members bring recognized expertise in political theory, cybersecurity, feminism, Cold War history and intelligence studies. Career outcomes reflect this quality: 96% of graduates secure employment or continue their education within 15 months, many joining diplomatic missions, international organizations and think tanks.

International Relations

The BA program teaches students to analyze global politics from multiple perspectives, examining climate crisis, Middle Eastern conflicts, espionage and China’s growing influence while deliberately challenging conventional views of the international system. Third-year students choose between a dissertation, collaborative problem-solving project or UN model participation. Throughout their studies, they attend lectures by current and former NATO and UN Security Council officials, gaining practical insight into how international institutions operate and theory translates into real diplomacy.

History, Politics and International Relations

This BA program balances both disciplines equally, enabling students to understand contemporary issues within historical context. Their research spans the British Isles, both parts of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, exploring either classical directions like social or gender history or newer fields such as digital and public historiography. Political modules examine power at every level—from local governance to global institutions—addressing justice, conflicts and populism. Partnerships with British and Welsh parliaments allow students to observe political work from within while developing critical thinking and persuasive communication skills valued across diverse careers.

Philosophy, Politics and International Relations

This BA program prepares critically thinking specialists who handle complex interdisciplinary questions. The philosophical component covers moral philosophy, epistemology, philosophy of mind and political theory alongside feminist thought and phenomenology, teaching students to analyze problems from various angles. Political courses examine democracy, power, conflicts and legitimacy from local to global scales, while close ties with the Welsh parliament bridge theory and practice. Graduates pursue careers in civil service, journalism, law, finance and charitable organizations—their interdisciplinary training opens numerous professional paths.

Politics and International Relations

Students on this BA program explore power at different levels, studying state structures, analyzing concepts of freedom and democracy, and examining interactions between states and non-state actors. Topics range from cybersecurity and nuclear policy to climate change and feminism, with final projects completed as dissertations, simulations or collaborative problem-solving. Cardiff’s distinctive feature is its direct connection to the Welsh parliament and participation in the Parliamentary Studies scheme with Westminster. House of Commons staff teach one module while students regularly visit parliament, gaining practical understanding of how politics operates beyond textbooks.

Politics and Foreign Language at Cardiff University

This four-year BA program combines political training with intensive study of Chinese, French or Spanish. Students select their level based on prior knowledge: Upper Elementary for those with A-level proficiency, Elementary for beginners. Classes develop all language skills—reading, writing, speaking, listening and mediation. Year three is spent abroad, choosing between study at a partner university or internships across both semesters, immersing them in the cultural context while learning to adapt in unfamiliar environments. Beyond the core curriculum, they access the Cardiff Award for professional development, Languages for All for additional languages and Enterprise and Start Up team support for realizing their own ideas.