International Relations (Placement Year) BA (Hons)

This degree will enable you to gain a strong grounding in understanding the forces that shape the political relations between nations and the involvement of non-state powers in the world today. The course typically covers the EU, the Middle East, India, China and the Far East, Africa, and the USA. Alongside this you will explore general themes in the field of International Relations, such as Politics of Development and Global Changes and Understanding External Intervention in Violent Conflicts. You will begin your degree with the module International Relations: Theory and Practice and will have the option to choose from a range of international relations modules offered by the Department. You will have the opportunity to spend Year 3 on a placement with a public, private or voluntary organisation in the UK or overseas. This experience should boost your employment prospects and help you to decide on your career direction and the kind of organisation in which you want to work once you graduate. You will be doing a real, responsible job with all the satisfaction that brings. Applying for a placement is a competitive process and our Placements Team will support you in finding and applying for a suitable placement. The preparatory modules you will complete in years one and two are designed to give you the best chance of success in both your placement applications and the placement itself. One of the aims of the placement year is to enhance your understanding of the connections between theory and practice which could benefit your final year of study. Placements provide an exciting opportunity to build up experience and transferable skills, as well as to make contacts with potential employers, which can place you a step ahead in the graduate recruitment market. The University will use all reasonable effort to support you to find a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all placement roles offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills. If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and would continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year. The University offers a range of shorter placement and internship opportunities for which you would be welcome to apply.