Northumbria University Newcastle - International Relations and Politics BA (Hons)

Northumbria University Newcastle

International Relations and Politics BA (Hons)

Current, relevant and inspiring, this International Relations and Politics degree offers an exciting opportunity to study the political dimensions of life around the world, recognising the connections between people, locales, ideas and problems.

 We provide an extensive range of modules, from Foreign Policy to Terrorism and Active Citizens, allowing you to explore politics from all angles. We work with you to explore contemporary challenges that are covered in various modules and from different angles; for example, environmental politics and climate change, the place of contemporary Britain in a changing world, or the role of the media in shaping our understanding of the world, social and political problems, and the political responses to them.The theme of “democracy and active citizens” encourages you to ask why some states become democratic and others don’t, how politics works in non-democratic countries, what democracy is and whether we still need it, how democracy is practised at local and regional level, and how individuals and groups (active citizens) face today’s crisis of democracy. 

Entry Requirements

Standard Entry

120 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

Additional Requirements:

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications that may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

Career Prospects

This course aims to produce global citizens who are incisive and creative thinkers and not afraid to ask the big and often challenging questions. Our aim is to develop students who believe they can change society for the better.

Many of our graduates go on to work in politics, for example as analysts or advisers for MPs and political parties, for local government or the Civil Service. This degree prepares you well for a career in the legal profession and journalism, while the analytical and independent research skills you gain will also serve you well in management roles elsewhere, such as retail.

Graduates on related degrees have gone on to enjoy careers in Westminster and Brussels, in local government, in the charitable sector, in retail, banking and finance and in self-employment. Many graduate jobs require you to gather, synthesise and represent complex ideas and relationships in writing, in oral presentations and increasingly also visually.

Course Details

This course is designed to promote research-rich learning and to be responsive to your needs. You will study core modules aimed at developing your understanding of theory and practice, enabling you to engage with contemporary debates.

You will learn how political research is carried out and explore different methodologies within the discipline, including collecting and analysing data. This base of research skills will provide the foundation blocks for your dissertation, as well as your future career. You will leave us, not only an incisive and critical thinker, but a critical citizen.

Year 1

Britain, Europe and the World (Core,20 Credits)
Democrats and Dictators (Core,20 Credits)
International Conflict and Cooperation (Core,20 Credits)
Researching International Relations and Politics (Core,20 Credits)
Thinking Globally (Core,20 Credits)
Thinking Politically (Core,20 Credits)
Academic Language Skills for Humanities and Social Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Year 2

Social Sciences Study Abroad (60 credit) (Optional,60 Credits)
Applied Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)
Theories and Practice of Democracy (Core,20 Credits)
Global Governance (Core,20 Credits)
Politics Work Experience (Optional,20 Credits)
Theories of International Relations (Core,20 Credits)
UK Politics Beyond Westminster (Core,20 Credits)
Foreign Policy Analysis (Optional,20 Credits)
From Bastille to Strasbourg- A Journey through Human Rights (Optional,20 Credits)
Representing Political Violence (Optional,20 Credits)
Academic Language Skills for Humanities and Social Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Year 3

Social Sciences Work Placement Year (Optional,120 Credits)
Social Sciences Study Abroad Year (Optional,120 Credits)
Year in International Business (This is made up of modules studied in Newcastle (Semester 1) & Amsterdam (Semester 2) (Optional,120 Credits)
Year in International Multidisciplinary Innovation (4 modules studied in Amsterdam (Semester 1) & Newcastle (Semester 2) (Optional,120 Credits)

Year 4

Active Citizens (Core,20 Credits)
Critical Security (Core,20 Credits)
Dissertation (Core,40 Credits)
Genocide (Optional,20 Credits)
Media Power and Propaganda (Optional,20 Credits)
Politics of Oil and Global Warming (Optional,20 Credits)
Terrorism (Optional,20 Credits)
War Games- Negotiating Security through Simulations (Optional,20 Credits)
Decolonial Politics (Optional,20 Credits)
Academic Language Skills for Humanities and Social Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

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