Politics, International Relations and Management

BSc Hons

  • UCAS code LN30
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements ABB
  • Duration Full time 3 years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 9

    9th for Business and Management

    The Guardian University Guide (2025)

  • 15

    15th for Business, Management and Marketing

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025)

  • 72

    72nd for Business and Management in the world

    QS World University Rankings by Subject (2024)

Introduction

Our BSc Politics, International Relations and Management is a three-year interdisciplinary and non-quantitative course that is unique in the UK. Management thinking and practices are studied together with Politics and International Relations. Strategic business decisions, from the smallest to the largest, depend on global politics, the politics of states and the politics of regions. The interrelationships between business, the economy, and political decision-making cannot be ignored. Business does not happen in isolation from the environment in which it exists. Every organisation needs people who can think about how the world works – this degree will help you become one of them.

Course overview

We combine our expertise in management, work and technology, marketing and entrepreneurship with politics and international relations to understand the complex realities of a rapidly changing world. We step away from simplistic business models and offer you the chance to dive deeper into politics, international relations and management as they really are in the current global economy and environment.

Think about Brexit, about the political responses to the global pandemic, about international trade tensions, or about climate change: these are just some examples of the deep connections between management, business, and politics. All raise questions about the fundamental problems we all face at personal, local and global levels. They are going to shape the coming decades and require fresh thinking.

How will management and businesses respond? The answers to these complex questions will come from those who understand the challenges the world is facing, who are not fazed by complexity, and who are not hampered by old business thinking.

Key facts

In this three-year interdisciplinary degree, you will learn about areas of management related to organisation, work and technology, entrepreneurship, and marketing. You will also study politics and international relations to better understand the global business world. This is a flexible degree course. After the first year, you are increasingly able to tailor the degree to your own interests, choosing from a wide range of modules.

BSc Politics, International Relations and Management is also available as a four-year course with a year in industry.

Course outcomes

Graduates with such a well-rounded understanding of the world are more responsible leaders, better able to navigate complexities and succeed in business and management. You will be employable in all sectors of industry, trade and commerce, as well as various Non-governmental organisations, governmental institutions and other organisations.

Careers

All sectors of the graduate market value our management degrees very highly. Graduates from this programme will be able to enter large multinationals, small and medium-sized industries and services, international organisations (such as the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund), and public sector organisations. Many of our graduates embark upon international careers. The transferable skills which you will develop during the programme, such as intercultural teamwork, analytical and presentation skills, negotiation, research design and report writing, are highly valued by employers. The course also provides a firm foundation for those looking to pursue academic careers.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with relevant life and work-based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award, which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability awareness, career development, campus community and social development. Visit our employability section for more details.

The Management School has an award-winning careers team to provide a dedicated careers and placement service offering a range of innovative services for LUMS students. Our high reputation means we attract a wide range of leading global employers to campus, offering you the opportunity to interact with graduate recruiters from day one of your degree.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level ABB

GCSE English Language grade C or 4

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Merit

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,250 £25,075

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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