COURSE CURRICULUM

The BSc International Relations program at Surrey provides students with a comprehensive understanding of global politics, equipping them to analyse and interpret complex international issues. In the first year, students build a strong foundation through compulsory modules covering British politics, crises in politics, political theory and ideology, and introductions to both politics and international relations. This establishes a solid framework for understanding political structures, institutions, and global interactions. In the second year, students deepen their knowledge through core modules in research approaches, international organisations, and research methods, while optional modules allow exploration of topics such as international political economy, public policy, international security, and the evolution of contemporary international society. This combination encourages critical thinking and analytical skills, preparing students for applied research and practical understanding of international affairs. The final year offers a broad range of specialised optional modules, including US foreign policy, populism and democracy, political communication, planetary politics, security and diplomacy in Europe, and democratization in Eastern Europe, among others. Students may also undertake a dissertation to develop advanced research skills. The program’s structure ensures graduates acquire theoretical knowledge, empirical analysis abilities, and transferable skills in research, communication, and critical thinking, preparing them for careers in diplomacy, international organisations, global policy, security, and related fields.