Should you study Politics and International Relations at University?

Politics and International Relations (often shortened to ‘PIR’ or ‘PR’) is one of those degrees that many prospective students feel drawn to, but few fully understand before they arrive. It sounds broad, abstract, and perhaps even a little intimidating. What do you actually study day to day? How different is it from A-level politics? And how much does the experience vary between universities?

In this episode of CourseCast, I’m joined by Ash, a Politics and International Relations student at the University of Bath, and Lyla, who studies Politics and International Relations at UCL. By placing their experiences side by side, this conversation reveals just how varied the same course title can be, and why researching course structures matters far more than many applicants realise.

Both guests arrived at the degree through slightly different routes, but with a shared curiosity about how power works in the real world. For Ash, politics became interesting during the Brexit referendum and was cemented through A-level study; what began as a possible joint interest alongside English eventually became the sole focus. Lyla’s path was more circuitous: starting with a strong interest in International Relations, briefly pivoting towards PPE, and then realising that UCL’s PR course offered the flexibility and interdisciplinarity she wanted, without the more rigid or data-heavy structure of PPE at that institution.

A key theme here is that neither student chose the degree because it was “obvious” or narrow. Instead, both were attracted by breadth, flexibility, and the sense that politics connects multiple disciplines rather than standing alone.

One of the most valuable parts of this episode is how concretely both guests describe their modules. At UCL, Lyla’s first term combined comparative politics (democracy and authoritarianism), political theory (foundations of political thought), and two student-chosen ‘hot topics’ modules, including extremism, populism, and economic inequality. These hot topics are explicitly designed to apply theory to contemporary political problems, giving the course an immediate sense of relevance.

Bath’s course, by contrast, is more overtly international in orientation. Ash describes it as closer to “International Relations with politics”, with even British politics modules framed through Britain’s role in a global context. Concepts such as anarchy are introduced early, not as chaos, but as a foundational IR idea describing the absence of a single global authority, and shaping how states behave within institutions like NATO or the UN.

The contrast matters. Both students are studying politics and international relations, but the intellectual emphasis, examples, and theoretical framing differ substantially.

Another misconception this episode challenges is that politics degrees are assessed only through essays. Lyla describes a wide range of assessment methods at UCL: data analysis projects, manifesto coding, policy briefs, portfolios, and even oral vivas conducted with lecturers. These are explicitly designed to build transferable skills, particularly communication and applied analysis, rather than rewarding rote writing alone.

Bath’s first year is deliberately low-stakes, with marks not contributing to the final degree classification. This allows students to experiment, make mistakes, and build confidence before assessment begins to “count” in later years. Ash highlights how this structure encourages intellectual risk-taking rather than perfectionism.

Both students also reflect thoughtfully on the use of AI. Their universities provide clear guidance, typically distinguishing between prohibited use, limited use for planning or summarising, and full permission in some contexts. The shared warning is not moralistic but practical: over-reliance risks leaving students unprepared when AI use is restricted, and tools remain unreliable for nuanced reading or original argumentation.

The episode also explores how institutional context shapes student experience. Bath’s campus model offers proximity, routine, and ease of access, which Ash values highly, even if it occasionally means sacrificing late-night convenience. UCL, embedded within London, offers a more dispersed but dynamic environment, with cultural ‘side quests’ ranging from pop-up events to spontaneous exploration across the city.

Neither model is presented as superior. Instead, the discussion reinforces that personal temperament matters: whether you thrive on walkability and routine, or spontaneity and scale.

Perhaps the most consistent advice offered by both guests concerns applications. The key is not having a perfectly narrow interest, but identifying a clear through line. Lyla describes structuring her personal statement so that philosophy and economics ultimately fed back into political questions, making it suitable for both PPE and PR. Ash emphasises comparative thinking, suggesting applicants deeply research one political system beyond their own and use it as a lens for analysis.

Both strongly caution against relying on course titles alone. Politics, PPE, and International Relations degrees vary enormously in structure, assessment, and emphasis. Reading module lists, attending open days, and listening to student experiences can prevent the shock of realising a course is not what you expected after arrival.

In response to a listener question about distinguishing genuine vocation from naïve idealism, both students converge on the same answer: openness. Interests evolve. Modules that sound dull can become unexpectedly fascinating, and degrees do not need to be perfect to be worthwhile. University, as Ash puts it, is best understood as a series of stepping stones rather than a final destination.

This perspective is especially valuable for Year 12 students, who are often encouraged to treat university choice as a definitive life decision. The reality, as this episode shows, is more flexible, forgiving, and exploratory.

This episode was extremely interesting to record. I found exploring the contrasts between PIR at UCL and Bath really useful to get an understanding of what the course is like. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode!