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Choosing my course

I am about to submit my UCAS application but I am having doubts on whether I should do Politics and International relations or Liberal arts.. Anyone have advice?

Reply 1

marcus.0

It's a bit late for that, what course is your personal statement catered towards? Those are pretty different courses.

Reply 2

McGinger

Why are you having second thoughts?

Reply 3

Kingston Grace

Official Rep

Original post

by linseymitch

I am about to submit my UCAS application but I am having doubts on whether I should do Politics and International relations or Liberal arts.. Anyone have advice?

Hey @linseymitch

I have this previous post that you may find helpful Tips on Making a University Choice - The Student Room

And I also think the point about what your personal statement is catered towards is a good way to think about it.

I recently heard a piece of advice where you think about in 5 years time which
(in your case a subject) would you most regret or least regret not choosing. This has been helping me make decisions recently so thought I would share.

I hope this helps and good luck making your decision!
-Grace (Kingston Rep)

Reply 4

De Montfort University

Official Rep

Original post

by linseymitch

I am about to submit my UCAS application but I am having doubts on whether I should do Politics and International relations or Liberal arts.. Anyone have advice?

Hiya lovely

Having seconds thoughts is a completely normal experience, when I was applying I kept thinking if I picked the right direction but now I know I did and I'm happy where I am. So here is some advice from me

If you’re unsure between Politics & IR and Liberal Arts, it really depends on whether you want a focused degree or something broader. Politics & IR is ideal if you already know you're interested in global affairs, diplomacy and political systems, and you’d prefer a more structured course that goes deep. Liberal Arts is better if you enjoy a mix of subjects and want the flexibility to combine politics with areas like sociology, history, languages or philosophy. It’s worth checking the module lists for each course—sometimes seeing the specific topics you’d actually be studying makes the choice much clearer. You could also look at the kinds of careers graduates from each degree go into; Politics & IR often leads to roles in government, NGOs, policy and journalism, whereas Liberal Arts can open doors in a wide range of fields depending on the pathway you choose. In the end, think about which course content and career routes genuinely excite you more.

But you have definitely got this, i believe it

Kind regards Aneta PhD Chemistry

Reply 5

LSBU

Official Rep

Original post

by linseymitch

I am about to submit my UCAS application but I am having doubts on whether I should do Politics and International relations or Liberal arts.. Anyone have advice?

Hey there, At LSBU we don’t offer Liberal Arts, but we do offer BA Politics and International Relations, which might help you think through the differences.

International Relations at LSBU is very focused - you look at global politics, diplomacy, conflict, human rights, climate policy, development and how countries interact. If you’re someone who likes understanding why the world works the way it does, enjoys debates, or keeps up with world events, it can be a really good fit. The teaching is practical too, with things like simulations, discussions, and opportunities to work on projects tied to current global challenges.
A good way to decide is to ask yourself what kind of learning feels more “you.” Do you enjoy going deep into one subject and understanding systems, governments and global issues? That leans towards International Relations. Or do you prefer dipping into a variety of humanities subjects without committing to a single area? That leans towards Liberal Arts.

If you want something that gives you strong skills, clear structure, and a subject you can build a career from, International Relations at LSBU is quite a solid and practical route. And you don’t need to have studied politics before; students come from all kinds of backgrounds. Whatever you choose, remember there isn’t a wrong answer!

You are always welcome to explore LSBU a bit more and get a real feel for what student life is like here. We actually have a virtual open day today from 12:30 to 1:30 pm where you can hear more about our courses and support. If you would prefer to see the campus in person you can book a tour https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days/campus-tours on a day that suits you and get a sense of the spaces you would be studying in. You can also chat to our current students https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/student-life/chat to hear honest experiences and get answers to any course questions you might have.

LSBU Admissions Ambassador