COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA (Hons) Economics and International Relations curriculum combines the study of economics, politics, and global affairs, providing students with the analytical, research, and practical skills needed to understand contemporary international challenges. In the first year, students study core modules including Introduction to World Politics, Theory and Practice of Politics, Studying Culture and Society, Introductory Microeconomics, Introductory Quantitative Analysis, and Introduction to Macroeconomic Concepts and Data. These modules establish a strong foundation in international relations, political theory, economic principles, and quantitative analysis while introducing key topics such as diplomacy, globalisation, governance, international organisations, security, humanitarianism, economic development, human rights, conflict, foreign intervention, and global trade. Students explore the relationship between politics, power, and economics and examine how different political systems and cultural perspectives influence international decision-making. In the second year, students strengthen their analytical capabilities through the core modules Data Analysis and Applied Intermediate Macroeconomics, alongside optional modules including Researching Politics, Theories of International Relations, Effecting and Negotiating Change, Environmental Politics, Public and Third Sector Economics, Applied Intermediate Microeconomics, and Current Debates in Applied Economic Theory. The Data Analysis module develops practical skills in Excel, economic data collection, statistical analysis, data interpretation, and communicating findings using real-world datasets. In the final year, students tailor their studies through optional modules such as Dissent, Activism and Equity, International Security, Independent Study in International Relations and Politics, International Business Economics, Economics of Sustainable Business Growth, Financial Risk Management, Investing and Financial Market Behaviour, International Banking, and the Applied Economics Project. These modules explore political activism, social movements, governance, democratic participation, inequality, climate justice, global security, international business, financial markets, and applied economic research. The Applied Economics Project enables students to undertake independent research using economic theory and data analysis to address real-world organisational challenges. Overall, the curriculum develops graduates with strong quantitative, political, and economic analysis skills, preparing them for careers in international organisations, diplomacy, government, public policy, business, finance, consultancy, research, non-governmental organisations, and postgraduate study.