International Relations and Politics

This unique BA (Hons) in International Relations and Politics is for people who want to understand and influence what is happening in the world — at either a local, regional, national or international level. It's the perfect time to launch this programme because never in human history has so much rapid change been apparent. The climate crisis, biodiversity and habitat loss, the Covid-19 pandemic, the rise of populism, threats to free speech and democracy around the world, ageing populations: these are just some of the challenges we face as we begin the 2020s.

At the same time there are many areas of opportunity. New and sustainable technologies promise a future with clean energy and zero-emissions vehicles, while social media enables people to work together to challenge prevailing orthodoxies, prejudices and governments. There is youth activism and widespread movements for racial and societal justice.

If you want to play a role in shaping some of these crucial global issues, this BA (Hons) in International Relations and Politics is a great starting point. The world needs well-informed, culturally aware citizens who can research and analyse the data, problem-solve and negotiate — and this is exactly what you will learn to do on this degree.

What you will learn about:

We will also ensure you leave with a good understanding of the basics of data science, so that you can carefully assess some of the claims made by politicians and organisations in today's statistics-driven society.

How you will learn Our teaching methods will be varied, interactive and engaging. They include:

How you are assessed In your final year, you will undertake an Independent Study module which incorporates quantitative data analysis and you'll also need to write a dissertation.

Careers When you have completed this degree, you will be well-informed about the major global issues of our time and have a range of skills that employers really value, particularly:

You can put these skills to good use in a range of high-level careers, such as in politics, journalism, campaigning, think-tanks, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations), charities, the civil or diplomatic services, and inter-governmental institutions.