Politics and International Relations. BSc (Hons)

This degree combines the study of political theories and concepts with the study of global affairs. You will gain the knowledge and analytical skills required to understand and respond to contemporary international and domestic socio-political challenges, from political polarisation to climate change. The integrated study of politics and international relations allows you to tailor your degree to suit your interests.

In your first year you’ll study topics such as political theory and analysis, comparative political systems, international relations, international political economy and UK politics in a global context.

In your second year you'll delve further into political theory and analysis and advance your skills in research design and data analysis. You'll start to specialise, with themes such as conflict and security, foreign policy analysis, or the politics of environmental crisis.

In your final year you’ll carry out a year-long dissertation and select optional units relating to your interests, covering themes such as international economic crises, war and peace, gender politics, and contemporary critical theories.

Placement

The placement year is an opportunity for you to use the theory you have learnt in a practical context. You will learn about an organisation and its area of work. This is an excellent opportunity to test potential career paths. Sometimes permanent jobs are offered to our students. You’ll develop skills such as teamwork, planning, problem-solving, decision-making and project management.

Prepare for your future

Our politics graduates are found in a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector jobs. Popular destinations are jobs in the banking and finance industries, the media, public administration, and national, European and international political institutions and organisations. Many graduates have chosen to pursue an academic career with further study.

Recruiters include:

• Amazon
• American Chamber of Commerce to the EU
• Civil Service
• Interel
• KPMG

Employers value a year of professional work and you’ll gain an advantage in the job market. Over the years, we have built contacts with a large number of organisations that can provide the high standard of training we expect.

Our students have taken placements at government and non-government organisations, local UK political party offices, political think tanks, lobbying companies, international development consultancies. Examples include:

• Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
• House of Commons
• House of Lords
• World Food Programme