International Relations 2023 Applicants

Hi, I just wanted to create a thread for those who are applying for IR for 2023 entry.

I’m Adam, and I’m applying for IR at:

Glasgow
Edinburgh
KCL
St.Andrews
Fifth Choice - Not sure yet

I’m a Scottish student and got AAAAAA in my Highers so have already met the entry requirements for my unis except KCL for which I’m predicted AAB.

Also, can I get help with choosing my fifth choice cause I don’t know what to choose.

Personally I would avoid Kings especially after this years debacle. Also the cost of living in London is somewhat excessive and many miles away. I suspect you might be better with Scottish universities and maybe you could look at Strathclyde or Aberdeen. If you wish to go into include maybe you could look into the likes of Durham, York and Lancaster which are nearer to you. Lancaster and York tend to be less competitive than Kings or Durham. I have checked whether these offer IR.

Thanks, yeah I was uncertain about Kings as I had heard about how late they responded as well. The Guardian released league tables and for IR, KCL was ranked 2nd in the UK for IR which is why I thought of applying. Is York a good uni, like I don’t really know much about it? Also, I’m trying to avoid applying to Aberdeen and Strathclyde as I don’t really see myself going to those unis.

Dont worry about rankings as they are meaningless and every ranking table will be different on what they measure. Some put great emphasis on student satisfaction and others entry criteria. Student satisfaction is particularly unreliable and changes yearly. If you get a couple of unhappy students in a year who perhaps didnt get the grade they wanted they will mark poorly and especially with the small numbers involved in subject rankings it can have a large effect.

It seems you are from Scotland so I looked at Northern universities and 3 of the best are Durham, York and Lancaster. All are top 20 in the main and politics tables of cug but as I say dont rely on those.

Bristol is a very good university also. Soas specialises in things like African and Asian things. I dont know how good they are for others and again it will be very expensive and impersonal being in London.

Any course with a placement - this will add enormously to your graduate job chances - ie. Bath - https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2023/politics/bsc-politics-and-international-relations-with-professional-placement-or-study-abroad/ Highers AAAAB, AA Advanced Highers.

That’s great thanks, it’s been really helpful. I’ll look more into these unis and their entry requirements for the course. Also, do you have any general tips for introductions to personal statements or if you know any specifically for IR and Politics?

No I dont have any tips and they wouldnt be able to be discussed here as this could end up getting you disqualified. There is a section somewhere on TSR offering help with PS. @PQ can you advise on this.

Hi,

I don’t really know much about placement years as Scottish unis don’t offer them, but do you pay tuition/study at the uni during your placement year as well or is it just working the full year without paying Uni tuition for that year? Also, would the uni help you get a placement somewhere or is it just independent?

Furthermore, I understand I could do a degree in International Development but I do believe this might limit my career options in the future.

I'm heavily consiering studying IR but I'm concerned about career prospects afterwards. Is anyone else worried about this and how did you get over it?

Hi, I just wanted to create a thread for those who are applying for IR for 2023 entry.

I’m Adam, and I’m applying for IR at:

Glasgow
Edinburgh
KCL
St.Andrews
Fifth Choice - Not sure yet

I’m a Scottish student and got AAAAAA in my Highers so have already met the entry requirements for my unis except KCL for which I’m predicted AAB.

Also, can I get help with choosing my fifth choice cause I don’t know what to choose.

Hello!

I have applied to
Edinburgh
St Andrews
Warwick
Durham
Bristol

Predicted Grades
A*A*A
GCSE
99999999999

Already had an offer from Warwick!

Hey,

Congrats for getting your first offer! I’ve finalised my choices for IR and am applying to:

Edinburgh
St Andrews
Bristol
UCL
Glasgow

My predicted grades are now: AAA

As I’m a Scottish Student, I’m likely to receive unconditional offers from the Scottish unis and a conditional based on my Advanced Highers for UCL and Bristol.

I still need to submit my application, but good luck for yours, I’m sure you’ll get more offers based on your grades.

Also, what are your top and bottom choices in order of preference?

-Adam

Hello!
Choices
St Andrews
Edinburgh
Warwick
Durham
Bristol

And have now had offers from durham and warwick!

Hello!
Choices
St Andrews
Edinburgh
Warwick
Durham
Bristol

And have now had offers from durham and warwick!