COURSE CURRICULUM

The International Relations BA provides a detailed understanding of the structures, processes, and challenges of global politics, combining historical perspectives with contemporary analysis. In the first year, students explore the politics of global challenges, international politics, comparative politics, and the making of the modern world, developing research skills and foundational knowledge of key concepts such as sovereignty, collective security, and regionalism. In the second year, compulsory modules build on this foundation, covering approaches to analysis, theories of international relations, and global security challenges, while a wide range of optional modules allows students to specialise in areas such as US politics, Chinese politics, African statehood, the EU, and the political economy of North-South relations. In the final year, students complete a dissertation, enabling them to investigate a topic of their choice in depth, while further optional modules provide opportunities to study subjects such as British and American foreign policy, terrorism, nuclear weapons, gender and security, Europe’s global role, and the global political economy. Throughout the degree, students gain critical research, analytical, and data skills, alongside a nuanced understanding of international systems, conflicts, and cooperation. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical analysis, this course equips graduates with the expertise and transferable skills required for careers in diplomacy, policy-making, international organisations, and global affairs, as well as informed global citizenship.