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International Social and Political Studies BA

London, Bloomsbury

Gain specialist knowledge of global politics and social sciences, and gain excellent skills in another language. Through the International Social and Political Studies BA, you’ll have the scope to define your own path through a choice of modules, with your third year spent studying abroad. Graduates have highly transferable skills and versatile employment options, with the ability to work in international relations, the media or globally-focused companies.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£29,800
Programme starts
September 2026
Application deadline
14 Jan 2026
UCAS course code
LV01
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
A*AA
Subjects
A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A* required for full Economics specialism if chosen. French or Spanish at A grade required if one of these is to be studied as major language.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
A*AB OR AAB more about contextual offers
Subjects
A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A* required for full Economics specialism if chosen. French or Spanish at A grade required if one of these is to be studied as major language.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
39
Subjects
A total of 19 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Higher level subjects to include French B, or Spanish B at grade 6 if either of these is to be studied as a major language. A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) is preferred. Mathematics at grade 7 at higher level is required for the full Economics specialism, if chosen. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

Contextual offer

Points
36 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 17 in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Higher level subjects to include French B, or Spanish B at grade 6 if either of these is to be studied as a major language. A humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) at higher level is normally a requirement. Mathematics at grade 7 at higher level is required for the full Economics specialism, if chosen. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Pass in Access to HE Diploma, with a minimum of 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D2,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. French or Spanish required if taken as major languages, plus a social science or humanities subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at D2 required for full Economics specialism if chosen.

A1,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher). French or Spanish required at Advanced Higher if taken as a major language, plus a social science or humanities subject (or Mathematics) preferred. Mathematics at A1 required for the Economics specialism, if chosen.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

Additional tests

TARA Admissions Test

For the 2026 cycle, alongside the UCAS application, UCL will require all applicants to sit the TARA (The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions) run by University Admissions Tests UK.

TARA is a new test available from 2026. It is a non-subject-specific test designed to assess essential skills required for undergraduate study. There will be an entry fee for the test. More information about the test will be shortly available on University Admissions Tests UK website.


Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview

Introductory modules in the first year allow you to develop a foundation in your chosen interests and define an area of specialism as well as improve your language skills. 

Your modules fall into three groupings: the interdisciplinary first-year core module ESPS0001: Introduction to History, Law, Politics and Philosophy, language and culture modules, and specialism modules in the humanities or social sciences. Specialisms include: Anthropology, Comparative Politics, Economics (Element of), Economics (Full), Geography, History, International Relations, Law, Philosophy, Political Theory, and Q-Step.

The interdisciplinary first year core module involves gaining insights into a range of academic disciplines and engaging critically with competing analytical perspectives. It is also used for gaining familiarity with the research methods and tools of those disciplines.

In your first and second year, you will select introductory and foundational modules in your chosen specialism. Alongside this, you will undertake language study throughout the programme, selecting and focusing on one major language.

Your third year is spent abroad in a destination outside Europe. We aim to send students to countries where their major language is spoken. This may depend on geopolitical and other circumstances and may not be possible in all cases. 

In your final year, you return to UCL to continue with advanced modules in your language and your humanities/social science subject, and also write your dissertation under the supervision of a member of staff. 

The major languages that you can study include: Arabic (offered from beginner level only), French, Portuguese, Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish.

What this course will give you

You'll benefit from UCL's renowned teaching system and the insights of its humanities, language and social science scholars, and from the expertise of their international counterparts.

You'll also spend a year abroad at a foreign university. If you are taking French, Portuguese or Spanish as your major language, you will normally spend the year abroad in South America or Canada depending on availability and academic achievements. If your main language is Hebrew, you may be allocated a placement at a partner university in Europe, Canada or the USA with a Jewish Studies programme. If you select the Arabic pathway, you will normally be allocated a placement in a country where Arabic is spoken or alternatively a placement at a European university with a strong Middle Eastern studies programme.

In your final year, you will also undertake a dissertation on an independently chosen research topic with specialist supervision.

Our programmes provide the wide-ranging employability of graduates from PPE or international relations programmes but with the added maturity and resilience from a year abroad, and the advantage of fluency in a foreign language – essential for anyone seeking a career in an international context, and increasingly valuable for the financial sector or media posts.

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 480 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in International Social and Political Studies.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Year One

You will take 30-45 credits in the language department, 45-60 credits in a humanities or social science specialism and the 30-credit first year core module ESPS0001: Introduction to History, Law, Politics and Philosophy.

Year Two

You will take 45 credits in the language department, 60 credits in your humanities or social science specialism and 15 credits of additional options (language or specialism).

Year Three

You will take modules at your host university and complete preparatory tasks for your dissertation.

Final Year

You will take 15-30 credits in the language department (depending on your choice of language), 30 credits for the dissertation and 60-75 credits in your humanities or social science specialism. The dissertation is not compulsory for those on the full Economics specialism.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Compulsory modules



Optional modules









Optional modules













Ideologies and Political Hegemony



Compulsory modules




Optional modules



Mandarin for Current Affairs and Politics


Your learning

Your formal timetable will involve a programme of lectures, seminars and tutorials. As well as the core modules and modules designed specifically for students on this course, you will choose options in other departments according to your area of specialisation. This gives you access to a range of teaching approaches from across UCL. Some modules may include field trips.

Typical weekly contact hours vary depending on the year of study and on the choice of language and specialism. As a general rule, students spend between 10 and 20 hours per week in class. Approximately 50% of your time is spent in lectures and 50% in seminars or tutorials. Students typically dedicate 15-20 hours per week to independent study.

Assessment

Your work will be assessed by a variety of means, which may include written and oral examinations, coursework and presentations.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: European and International Social and Political Studies

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Join us at this online event to learn more about the programmes taught from UCL European and International Social and Political Studies (EISPS). Our programmes are challenging, flexible, and diverse, at a university known for academic innovation, open access and the quality of its teaching.

Online - Open day

European and International Social and Political Sciences information video

Watch this video to find out more about European and International Social and Political Sciences at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

EISPS degrees prepare you for a wide range of careers in the UK, Europe and globally, including in the education sector, policy and governance, NGOs, finance and media. Some examples of EISPS graduate employment include: the UK Government, Austrian Foreign Ministry, HSBC Bank plc, Teach First and UNESCO.*

UCL's excellent careers team helps students to identify career pathways and assists with practical steps to ensure our graduates are well-prepared for entering a competitive market.

*Graduate Outcomes Survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017 - 2022 cohorts. 

Employability

EISPS graduates combine specialised knowledge of a humanities or social science with a broad foundation in philosophy, law, history and politics and, importantly, proficiency in another language or languages. In addition, they gain independence from a year studying abroad. In particular, students are able to demonstrate their aptitude for research by writing a dissertation.

This unique combination yields a significant advantage when it comes to securing funding for further research or getting a foothold on a competitive career ladder.

Outside academia, students may look to explore employment in politics, law, business, commerce, teaching, public relations, journalism or IT.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £29,800

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

There are no compulsory additional costs for this programme apart from those associated with study abroad. The department strives to keep additional costs low. Books and journal articles are usually available via the UCL library, as hard copies or via e-journal subscriptions. We offer one optional module which includes a field trip to Brussels. Students who select this module will be asked to contribute to the cost (approximately £300-400). We also offer extra-curricular opportunities in Term 3 which may incur an additional fee. The cost of these activities will vary depending on what you choose to attend.

Please note that study abroad during your programme at UCL is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

We are seeking applicants who are intellectually curious, up to date on current affairs and passionate about learning about other countries with different languages and cultures. They appreciate the flexibility of our programmes, and are able to work independently in a demanding, interdisciplinary academic environment.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

There are approximately 30 places on the BA International Social and Political Studies programme.

You should state clearly on your UCAS application which language you wish to study as your major language. Further information about the languages offered and their specific requirements can be found on our website.

There is a two-stage selection process for this programme. The first is based on your UCAS application, which we use to select candidates for the second stage, our online admissions test. A very limited number of exceptional candidates may be given an offer on the basis of their UCAS application alone, during the first stage of selection.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

European and International Social and Political Studies
European and International Social and Political Studies

eisps.admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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