COURSE CURRICULUM

This degree in International Relations and Politics provides a comprehensive understanding of global political systems, international institutions, and key theoretical frameworks. In the first year, students explore foundational topics such as political theory, international actors and institutions, world politics, political economy, and international relations theory. This sets the stage for developing critical thinking about freedom, rights, power, and global interactions.In the second year, students deepen their understanding through practical and thematic modules. Active Citizenship involves voluntary placements that encourage real-world engagement. Global Inequalities focuses on the structural causes of discrimination across different identities. Depending on their pathway, students explore topics such as environmental politics, security, development, human rights, peacebuilding, and historical systems of forced labour. Key issues include climate change, post-conflict recovery, neoliberal globalisation, and the legacy of slavery.In the final year, all students complete a dissertation on a self-chosen topic related to international relations. Additional core modules include Governing Globalisation, which examines global governance systems, and Rethinking Diplomacy, which explores traditional and contemporary diplomatic practices. Students then specialise further depending on their chosen pathway. The Global Development route includes Migration and Displacement, focusing on the politics and governance of global migration. The Human Rights pathway includes a module on confronting state harm and its impact on society. Those on the Politics pathway choose between Policy Making, which investigates how policies are developed and implemented, and Making Sense of British Politics, which analyses the key transformations in British political life over the last century.Throughout the degree, students develop skills in analysis, research, communication, and decision-making, preparing them for careers in public service, international organisations, NGOs, research, or further academic study. The course provides a rich blend of theory and practice, encouraging critical engagement with contemporary global challenges.