Why study this course?
Taught by our team of expert academics, you’ll learn about the history and issues surrounding global inequalities relating to race, gender, sexuality and poverty. You’ll also be able to explore trending social movements such as #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter.
You can examine radicalisation and what leads someone to terrorism, the social issues affecting immigration and the intricacies of cyberwarfare.
Gain industry experience and build a rewarding career, where no two days are the same, with a degree in International Relations.
More about this course
On this International Relations BA (Hons) degree, you’ll examine major social and political issues in the world today, learn from a diverse team of academic experts and gain practical hands-on experience through a work placement. All of this will put you in the best possible position for an exciting career in international relations.
Our experienced lecturers will work with you to explore the major concepts of international relations – peace, conflict and diplomacy. You’ll then use this theory to explore your own areas of interests, which can be anything from the role of religion, to Middle Eastern politics, to foreign policy analysis, nuclear proliferation or intelligence agencies.
We place a huge emphasis on your employability, which is why we’ll encourage you to undertake a work placement as part of this course. Here’s where studying in the heart of London pays off: you can secure work experience at thinktanks, non-governmental organisations (think Amnesty International) or embassies. This aims to prepare you for the next step in your career journey, whether that’s in graduate employment or further study.
To help develop and deepen your understanding of international relations, shape your views, opinions and critical thinking, we regularly invite guest practitioners to share their experiences with students. Some of our past guests include US Congresswomen Donna Edwards and Elizabeth Esty, the Deputy Ambassador of Sweden, comedian and documentary maker Rich Hall who spoke to our students about the Cold War, and the Editor of On-Screen Content at Sky News who talked about Brexit. We also have an annual visit from Holocaust survivors, including Steven Frank BEM who was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2018 by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to Holocaust education.
During this degree, you’ll also learn about international relations beyond the classroom by visiting parliament, embassies, NGOs, local museums and art galleries. These visits will help solidify your understanding and the history of key issues such as power, race and gender.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
Global Politics, Economy and Society (core, 30 credits)
Introduction to International Relations (core, 30 credits)
Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy since 1945 (core, 30 credits)
Politics and Government (core, 30 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
Approaches to International Relations and Foreign Policy (core, 30 credits)
Shifting Global Power in the 21st Century (core, 15 credits)
Strategy in the Contemporary World (core, 15 credits)
American Foreign Policy (option, 15 credits)
Contemporary US Politics (option, 15 credits)
Diplomacy Old and New (option, 30 credits)
Empowering London: Working within the Community (option, 15 credits)
Immigrants and Nativists (option, 15 credits)
Peace and Conflict in Theory and Practice (option, 30 credits)
Political Theory (option, 30 credits)
Politics of the Middle East (option, 15 credits)
Racism and Ethnicity (option, 30 credits)
The Politics of the European Union (option, 15 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
International Security in an Era of Globalisation (core, 30 credits)
Placement 1 Year (alternative core, 30 credits)
Project 1 Semester (alternative core, 15 credits)
Project 1 Year (alternative core, 30 credits)
Action and Identity: Gender and Political Participation (option, 15 credits)
African Politics (option, 15 credits)
Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (option, 30 credits)
Empowering London: Working within the Community (option, 15 credits)
Human Rights and International Conflict (option, 15 credits)
Latin American Politics (option, 15 credits)
Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (option, 30 credits)
The Politics of Modern States (option, 30 credits)
Where this course can take you
This International Relations BA degree will prepare you to hit the ground running in a range of different organisations and roles. You could go on to work in the diplomatic service, the United Nations or the European Union, international companies or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) specialising in international development, human rights and environmental fields.
There are alumni working in a variety of overseas positions all around the world. Graduates aren’t just limited to roles directly relating to international relations, some have gone into research, teaching, international business, work in the media or are involved in political campaigns.
