We welcome applications from the United States of America

We've put together information and resources to guide your application journey as a student from the United States of America.

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • Connect with experts in global politics

  • Study abroad and placement opportunities

  • 2nd in the UK for Research Power in the Research Excellence Framework (2021) for Politics

Why Lancaster?

  • Discover a new take on studying religion that includes world, political and social perspectives
  • Join a pioneering department - the first Religious Studies department in the UK and the first to include world religions, we continue to innovate with fresh new takes on the study of religion
  • Explore how religion influences some of the global issues which define our era: from interconnections between race, gender and class, to how societies decide what is good or bad
  • Be at the forefront of the latest research developments by studying with our experts in British, Russian, Middle Eastern and Chinese politics
  • Contribute to solving real-world policy problems on an internship with the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies
  • Build your degree from a choice of modules spanning religions from around the world: including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam
  • Graduate with a critical mindset and knowledge of global issues that will make you stand out in the job market

Explore the role played by religion in the flux that characterises today’s geopolitical landscape. You’ll learn about and debate the latest research with our experts. You’ll leave with a unique, interdisciplinary perspective on global problems, ready for a career in policy, diplomacy, or development.

Religion in a world in transition

You’ll gain a grounding in the fundamental concepts and debates in international politics. You’ll learn to view religion in a global context, and explore how it influences the contemporary world. You’ll apply your knowledge to real-world issues which sit at the crossroads of religion and international relations, such as the tensions between tradition and globalisation.

You’ll study in a one-of-a-kind department which combines politics, philosophy and religion under one roof – bringing together expertise from across these fields to deliver a holistic perspective on complex global problems.

Join a strong community

As a member of our departmental community, you’ll have the chance to participate in events and debates attended by key figures in their fields. You’ll be encouraged to attend conferences organised by the Lancaster University China Centre and Security Lancaster,, keeping you up to date with current affairs and helping you to build your network. You might choose to pursue an internship with the Richardson Institute, which could see you develop your research skills on an exciting, real-world project with leading policy and research organisations.

Careers

The skills you will develop on this programme are increasingly in demand by employers. Clear communication, the ability to strongly argue your case and a critical approach to thinking are transferable skills that will stand you prepared to take on a number of exciting graduate roles.

What’s more, the expert knowledge you will attain on global religions and international relations will open the door to roles with an international focus.

Some of the careers a Global Religions and International Relations graduate might choose to pursue include:

  • Civil and Diplomatic Services
  • Politics and government
  • International charities and NGOs
  • Consultancy
  • Media, journalism and public relations
  • Teaching and education

Many graduates from our department also choose to go onto further study, taking a Master’s degree or PhD.

Find out more about the support the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion offers to improve your employability, and learn about the careers of some of our alumni.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring that you gain a highly reputable degree. We are also dedicated to ensuring that you 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 activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development.

Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. You may need to have qualifications in relevant subjects. In some cases we may also ask you to attend an interview or submit a portfolio. You must also meet our English language requirements.

Find more about these qualifications and others not shown here

Learn about how we will assess your application

Qualifications and typical requirements accordion

Contact Admissions

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, please complete our enquiry form and one of our team will get back to you.

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.

Core

core modules accordion

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
£9,535 £24,700

Fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

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:

Scheme Based on Amount
Lancaster ScholarshipBased on Entry grades Amount £2,000 in your first year of study
Lancaster Opportunity ScholarshipBased on Contextual offer Amount £1,000 per year of study
Lancaster BursaryBased on Household income Amount £1,000 per year of study
Lancaster Global Scholarship - UndergraduateBased on Entry grades Amount £2,000 in each year of study for applicants joining Part 1 of our undergraduate programmes.

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.

  • Virtual tour

    Take five minutes and let us show you what Lancaster has to offer, from our beautiful green campus to our colleges, teaching and sports facilities.

  • Accommodation guide

    Most first-year undergraduate students choose to live on campus, where you’ll find accommodation to suit different preferences and budgets.

  • The city and beyond

    Our historic city is student-friendly and home to a diverse and welcoming community. Beyond the city you'll find a stunning coastline and the picturesque Lake District.