The University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is one of the UK’s largest institutions, home to more than 38,000 students representing over 170 nationalities.
As a proud member of the Russell Group, Leeds is consistently ranked among the world’s leading universities, placing in the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2021. Recognized as one of the 35 most international universities worldwide by Times Higher Education in 2020, Leeds has been welcoming international students for over a century.
Leeds is also highly regarded by employers, ranking as one of the Top 5 most targeted UK universities by graduate recruiters (High Fliers Research, 2021). The university offers extensive opportunities such as work placements, live projects, and fieldwork, helping students gain valuable experience and enhance their employability.
The city of Leeds is a vibrant, multicultural hub in the heart of the UK. The campus is just a 10-minute walk from the city centre, with excellent connections by road, rail, and air. As the UK’s third-largest and fastest-growing city, Leeds combines a thriving urban environment with easy access to scenic countryside. It is also the second-largest business centre after London, making it one of the country’s most popular destinations for students.
Leeds offers an excellent quality of student life, with accommodation ranging from modern apartments to historic buildings, both on and off campus. International students who apply before the deadline are guaranteed university housing, with options for both catered and self-catered living.
The university continues to invest millions annually in its facilities, ensuring a world-class learning environment. From cutting-edge laboratories and modern lecture theatres to one of the UK’s largest libraries, students benefit from outstanding resources. The Edge, Leeds’ premier sports and well-being centre, features an eight-lane 25m swimming pool and one of the country’s biggest university fitness suites.
Leeds University Union, regularly recognized as one of the UK’s best, offers over 300 student-led clubs and societies. This dynamic community ensures that every student can find opportunities to pursue their passions and make the most of university life.
PGS students will receive BA in International Relations or BSc in Social Policy, Sociology and Crime or BA in Sociology from the University of Leeds as a result of our dual-degree collaboration.
Founded in 1904, the University of Leeds is a top Russell Group institution ranked 86th in QS World University Rankings 2026, 123rd in THE 2025, and top 10 in the UK for research power (REF 2021). It has also received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize three times.
There are three distinct majors to select from: 1) International Relations 2) Social Policy, Sociology and Crime and 3) Social Policy, Sociology and Crime .
Offers one of the widest course selections in the UK, from foundation programs to PhDs. Leeds excels in business, engineering, food science, media, social policy, and design.
Over 12,000 international students enrolled; strong support services include personal tutors, counseling, disability services, and global community programs. 92–97% satisfaction in international student surveys.
Campus features four major libraries, modern labs, The Edge sports complex with an Olympic pool, and a professional performance venue stage@leeds.
The award-winning Leeds University Union runs 300+ clubs and societies, ensuring a vibrant social scene in one of the UK’s most popular student cities.
Situated just a mile from Leeds city center, with direct train links to London (~2 hours) and access to two international airports.
Semester 1
Politics and Government of Thailand
Development of the International System
Social Theory and Design Thinking
Media and Political Imagination
Reading Fundamentals for Politics and Global Studies
General Education: Foreign Language (Please see this link for Gen-Ed courses offered this year.)
Semester 2
Public Policy
Leadership and Strategic Management
Foreign Policy Analysis
Urbanization and Migration
Advanced Academic English for Politics and Global Studies
General Education: Foreign Language (Please see this link for Gen-Ed courses offered this year.)
International Relations
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory Courses
Theories of International Relations
Global Security Challenges
Approaches to Analysis
1 course from Basket A1:
Politics and Policy in the EU
Planet Politics
Analysing Data in Politics, Development and International Relations
1 course from Basket B1:
North-South Linkages
Politics of Contemporary China
State and Politics in Africa
United States Politics
Social Policy, Sociology and Crime
Semester 1 and 2
Core Compulsory Courses
Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods
Crime, Law and Regulation
1 course from Compulsory Courses
Key Debates in Social Policy
Central Problems in Sociology
1 course from Basket 1:
Disability Studies: An Introduction
Gender and Society
Crime, Race and Ethnicity
The Sociology of Culture
Sociology and the Climate Crisis
1 course from Basket 2:
Social Sciences and Emergencies: Theories, Contexts and Approaches
Youth Crime and Justice
Violent and Sexually Offending Young People
Debates in Childhood and Youth
Social and Public Policy beyond the University
Sociology of Religion
Sociology
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory Courses
Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods
Central Problems in Sociology
1 course from Basket A1:
Crime, Law and Regulation
Disability Studies: An Introduction
The Sociology of Culture
Sociology of Religion
1 course from Basket B1:
Social Sciences and Emergencies: Theories, Contexts and Approaches
Gender and Society
Crime, Race and Ethnicity
Debates in Childhood and Youth
Sociology and the Climate Crisis
Social and Public Policy beyond the University
1 course from Basket C:
Crime, Law and Regulation
Disability Studies: An Introduction
Gender and Society
The Sociology of Culture
Sociology and the Climate Crisis
Social and Public Policy beyond the University
International Relations
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory Course
Dissertation
1 course from Basket A2:
British Foreign Policy
Gender and Security in Global Politics
American Foreign Policy
Terrorism: Concepts, Debates, Cases
1 course from Basket B2:
Europe in the World
Nuclear Weapons and Global Politics
The Global Politics of Climate Change
Global Political Economy
1 course from Basket C:
Violence and Reconciliation in Africa
The Far Right in Europe and Beyond
Radical Political Ideas
Video Games: Politics, Society and Culture
1 course from Basket A1, B1, A2 B2 or C:
* must be discovery module
(For further information, please see at https://students.leeds.ac.uk/modules/doc/explore-discovery-modules)
Social Policy, Sociology and Crime
Semester 1 and 2
Core Compulsory Courses
Research Skills for your Dissertation
Dissertation in Crime
1 course from Basket 1:
Policing
Technology, Crime and Justice
Global Terrorism and Violence
Gender, Technologies and the Body
Ethnicity and Popular Culture
1 course from Basket 2:
Quantitative Social Research
Disability and Development
State Crime and Immorality
Contemporary Children, Young People and Families
Sociology
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory Courses
Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods
Central Problems in Sociology
1 course from Basket A2:
Crime, Law and Regulation
Disability Studies: An Introduction
The Sociology of Culture
Sociology of Religion
1 course from Basket B2:
Social Sciences and Emergencies: Theories, Contexts and Approaches
Gender and Society
Crime, Race and Ethnicity
Debates in Childhood and Youth
Sociology and the Climate Crisis
Social and Public Policy beyond the University
1 course from Basket A1, B1, C, A2 or B2:
*Further information regarding courses at the University of Leeds, please see at:
School of Politics and International Studies
(BA in International Relations)
: https://catalogue.leeds.ac.uk/ModuleSearch/results/UG/202526/ALL/PIED/False/ALL/False?keyMatch=any
School of Sociology and Social Policy
(BSc in Social Policy, Sociology and Crime)
(BA in Sociology)
: https://catalogue.leeds.ac.uk/ModuleSearch/results/UG/202526/ALL/SLSP/False/ALL/False?keyMatch=any
Semester 1
Administration and Society
Global Political Economy
Writing Academic and Professional English on Politics and Global Studies
Select 1 Major Elective Course:
Internship (Student completes their internship prior to the beginning of this semester)
Seminar in Current Issues
International Development Studies
Peace and Conflict Transformation
Environmental and Energy Politics
Semester 2
Senior Project for Society
Cross-Cultural Management
Select 1 Major Elective Course:
Security and World Politics
US Politics
East Asia Politics and Society
Free Elective
Notice: The course list may be updated from time to time, and the program will ensure that students are informed in advance of any changes.