Politics and International Relations

Study the workings of society and governments around the globe, including questions of power, justice, democracy, empire, security, revolution, activism, and identity.

Gain insights into change and continuity in national and global governance, how leaders and politicians have influenced such processes, and how the directions and decisions of political parties and institutions affect people’s lives.

You’ll explore the impact of individual leaders like Tony Blair and Vladimir Putin alongside the role of international organisations and alliances.

With a curriculum that stretches across Africa, Asia and Europe, you'll also look at wider issues of international conflict and world peace, consumption and trade, crime and terrorism, and media and communication.

• Gain important transferable skills for your career, including research and data analysis.

• Take innovative assessments that include but also go beyond the traditional essay, like blogs, podcasts, presentations and letters.

• Learn from expert tutors including historians, sociologists and political scientists.

• Attend events with key political figures organised by our Labour History Research Unit.

• Study in Cambridge, with its impressive collection of museums, libraries, archives and political clubs.

Careers

Graduate equipped for a career in a political party, diplomacy and other areas of the civil service, or for international organisations.

Your use of data analysis and different sources from government documents to focus groups, as well as our innovative assessment methods, will all give you an impressive narrative to tell prospective employers.

You can also learn a language on our optional modules, boosting your employability internationally in areas such as UN conflict resolution and diplomacy.

You could go on to work in a variety of fields, including local government, charities, NGOs, European and international organisations and agencies.

You might also explore career paths in public service, the criminal justice system, future energy policy and planning, security, negotiation and peacekeeping, or communication and media.

Or you might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MA International Relations or MA International Development. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Teaching

Learn about the interlocking institutions that constitute politics, and explore ideological constructs that underpin political change.

You’ll also get to grips with digital methods, learning valuable skills in the digital humanities.

From Year 2 you’ll explore key issues like migration and war, as well as your own interests on optional modules, and build your research skills.

Finally, you’ll complete an independent project on a topic of your choice, and learn methods to communicate your research, while other modules will include exploring how social media facilitates both political activists and ‘bad actors’.

*=optional.

Year 1: Introduction to Politics and International Relations; Global Affairs; A History of Now; Political Thought; Into ARU.

Year 2: From World War to Cold War; Give Peace a Chance: Fundamental Issues and Perspectives on Contemporary International Relations; Researching Society and Culture; Ruskin Module; The United States in the 20th Century *; Intoxicants and Intoxication *; The British Empire 1783-1919 *; International Human Rights Law *; Welfare State to European State: Britain 1906-1975 *; Mobilities and Migration *; Ireland and the Irish after Independence *.

Year 3: Undergraduate Major Project; Hitler to the Hashtag: Political Communication in Peace and War; From Theory to Practice: International Relations in the 21st Century; A Global History of Government and Society, 1945-1999; Research Communication; Gender and Sexuality in Britain: 1880-2000 *; Race, Racism and Ethnic Identity *; From Communism to Consumerism: Russia since 1917 *; Global Feminisms *; From Workhouses to Universal Credit: The Past, Present and Future of the British Welfare State *; The Era of Thatcher and Blair *; The Making of Modern Media *; Comparative and Global Criminal Justice *; Counter-Terrorism Policing *; Organised Crime *; European Union Law *.

You’ll show your progress through a combination of traditional essays and exams as well as more innovative methods that reflect skills you’ll need for the workplace, including blogs, podcasts, live briefs, portfolios, presentations, data collection and letters.