International Relations and Politics

Why study this course?

Examine the relationship between historical events, politics and social issues such as poverty, power, gender and race on our International Relations and Politics BA (Hons).

You’ll have the freedom to explore the social movements that interest you. This could be anything from #MeToo, to the current #BlackLivesMatter drive or the Stonewall riots that started the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in the United States.

More about this course

On this International Relations and Politics BA (Hons) degree, you’ll explore the relationship between social and political issues around the world today and study the historical events that led to current situations.

We want you to tailor your degree so it’s right for you. There will be some core modules where you’ll learn about important events, theories and structures, but you’ll also have lots of flexibility to explore the topics that are important to you.

You could choose to study political unrest in the Middle East, the origin of racism and its impact globally to date, how religion affects political unrest around the world, the role of social media in social movements, acts of terrorism, political spin in the UK in relation to Brexit or the global fight for equality.

Our lecturers are established thinkers and influencers in their specialist topics. From them, you’ll learn key theories around diplomacy, conflict, authority and ethics.

On top of this, you’ll also have the opportunity to gain practical experience via a work placement so that you’re prepared to hit the ground running when you graduate. Being based in London helps to secure work experience in a range of places, including the UK government, non-government organisations (NGOs) or international embassies.

We also hold various events that you can get involved with, such as our popular Congress to Campus talk where we’re joined by former members of the US congress to shed light on the workings of American politics. There are also field trips to parliament, embassies, NGOs, museums and art galleries to solidify your understanding of international social and political events.

What our students say

"I really like that we have a wide choice of modules and can combine studying other subjects. The teaching is very well structured.
“I like doing the reports as they’re very useful in real life and the seminars have given me confidence to speak in public.
“I joined the United Nations Model Society and helped run an event with the Bulgarian Ambassador that went really well."

– Plamena Solakova – International Relations and Politics BA graduate

Course Modules

Year 1 modules include:

Introduction to International Relations (core)
Global Politics, Economy and Society (core)
Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy since 1945 (core)
Politics and Government (core)
Open Language Programme Module (option)

Year 2 modules include:
Approaches to International Relations and Foreign Policy (core)
Governance and Public Policy (core)
Comparative Politics (core)
Political Theory (core)
Creating a Winning Business 1 (alt-core)
Politics and International Relations: Work- Based Learning (alt-core)
Immigrants and Nativists (option)
Shifting Global Power (option)
American Foreign Policy (option)
Media and Culture (option)
Politics of the Middle East (option)
Politics of the European Union (option)
Strategy in a Contemporary World (option)
Contemporary US Politics (option)
Open Language Programme Module (option)
Extension of Knowledge Module (option)

Year 3 modules include:
International Security in an Era of Globalisation (core)
The Politics of Modern States (core)
Creating a Winning Business 2 (alt-core)
Politics and International Relations: Work-Based Learning (alt-core)
Project 1 Semester (alt-core)
Project 1 Year (alt-core)
Placement Module - 1 Year (alt core)
Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (option)
Modern British Politics (option)
Human Rights and International Conflict (option)
African Politics (option)
Latin American Politics (option)
Action and Identity: Gender and Political Participation (option)
Extension of Knowledge Module (option)