International Relations/Politics 2024

[Calmmumnot]

Has anyone applied and received offers in International Relations/Politics? where are the offers from? Thanks

DD has had an offer from York. One down, four to go...

Great news @Poblano

@Poblano congrats!!

Quick question - why are some IR degrees BA and some BSc?

I'm not sure re: BA / BSC. My ds on gap year but going to Bath in September to do BSC politics and IR.

Some social science courses have a heavy data analytics element, using tools such as Q Step. They would most likely to be awarded a BSc.

@WriterOfWrongs congrats to your DD! Hoping Nottingham comes through.

We’re getting nervous waiting for Aberdeen now. He was told verbally at the open day that he should expect an offer with his grades, but I know others have had offers already and nothing yet here.

Scottish unis for this subject in the Complete University Guide are a bit of an anomaly. Aberdeen is ranked 32 for this subject. Strathclyde and Stirling are a bit above in the table. However their entry standards are sky high when you compare the English unis of similar ranking. I haven’t read @zigzag716746zigzag if you are Scottish or not, but Scottish unis seem to present issues for this subject in that the English unis are just as good or better and easier to get into. If I was English I would swerve.

@Tenpastseven sorry, just seen.
Do you mean is it unconditional? Or has she got her a level results already?
The three offers so far are conditional on getting 3 As, in the exams this summer.

Thanks @TizerorFizz We are Scottish, but it’s not about fees, it’s his preferred uni of all the ones (Scottish or English) that he visited, so he’s definitely not looking to avoid it. It’s the one he likes best, felt most at home at, really clicked with the staff etc … and therefore most wants to get into, hence the nervousness even though he was told he should expect an offer 🙂

However if he gets offers from Edinburgh or St Andrews he’ll have some thinking to do. Because they were a “stretch” he hasn’t really weighed them up for personal preference against Aberdeen.

Ah! I asked as I thought Bristol were putting everyone on hold till after the Jan deadline, but it seems not from your daughter’s offer. Congratulations!

Sorry that was for @Darrellstclares

@zigzag716746zigzag I was just surprised that the entry standards of not the highest ranked Scottish unis were so high. It must mean very good students don’t get in. Glasgow and Strathclyde have higher entry standards for Politics than Oxbridge or LSE. So it must be a challenge to get on the courses.

I'm anxious that we haven't submitted UCAS yet - had to wait for resit results on the 2nd. PS needs tweaking and I am twitchy although I know that technically all applications up to the 31st will be considered.
But I can't help worrying that unis are giving offers already and there won't be any left

Both DS1 and DS2 applied really close to the deadline, DD is just more organised than they were. DS1 had offers from all 5, DS2 had offers from 4 out of 5 (didn't get an offer from Durham). DS1 was applying for International Relations/Politics, DS2 History so similar subjects. Lots of people leave it until January to apply and get offers, I wouldn't worry.

@UniQuestions7 @poetryandwine might be able to explain about offers and consideration of applications. As many unis make offers in October to the early application cohort, it always confused me how later applicants could be given equal consideration. Presumably with others who submit at that time and others in the “wait and compare” pile. Others know more than me though.

@Poblano thank you - that's comforting.

Exactly!! I mean, unis must give a hefty percentage of their available offers before the deadline so there are literally fewer places left by the end of January

I would assume the early offers only go to those they are absolutely sure about. So if a student with AAAAA applies to a course requiring BBCCC then they will get an early offer, but a student with BBCCC might have to wait to see how many others there are in the same boat.

I’m just speculating though, and on the basis that it seems to match the pattern of offers so far. DS got early offers from those where he had well above the required grades, but hasn’t yet heard from the ones a closer match to required, or from the ones that were a stretch.

There will be fewer places yes, but the systems works (?!) so they must know what they are doing. They'll use algorithms. But on a basic level I can see how it must work: they'll offer in tranches, they know they'll get X% applications by November, X being say 1/3 of the total. So they'll offer a corresponding number.

And as @zigzag716746zigzag says, those who exceed the grade requirements are going to be easy an easy and quick process. Computer says yes. As I put above, my DD applied on 15th Dec. Sussex came back within days. What they offer are several grades below her predicted grades, which is why she put them down as insurance - and as she really likes the course and university - and why she'll have been an easy yes for them.

DD's second yes was Sheffield on the 2nd or 3rd of Jan, and again their requirements are below what her predicted grades are, although only by a grade in this case.

Out of interest my son has 2 friends both of whom work in politics at Westminster straight after graduating - both went to LSE - and were told the graduates from there were very highly rated - but I've not seen it mentioned here-

Thank you, @TizerorFizz

Yes, @zigzag716746zigzag has the right idea. In STEM, Schools that are below the COWI tier but still very competitive might typically reserve early offers for applicants who submit PGs two grades higher than the standard offer, minimum. (This has now become impossible in some instances, eg Manchester CS requires 3 A stars. I don’t know what those Schools do). At least that’s what I used to hear at conferences.

I can’t speak to other disciplines.

Yes, @Crikeyalmighty LSE is a bit small and a bit niche but absolutely tops at what they do. As I am in STEM, therefore quantitatively orientated, the main thing I know is that they have one of the best Econometrics programmes anywhere.