BA (Hons) International Relations
- UCAS code: L253
- Mode of study: Full time
- Duration: 3 years
- Entry requirements 2013: 240-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
- Please see details of the range of other qualifications that will also be considered on the 'Entry Requirements' tab below. Please do contact us for advice on other qualifications that aren't listed here.
Find out more:
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8299
Email: humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
Department: School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Course overview
Studying international relations helps us to understand the complex and exciting world in which we live. The course looks at key actors such as sovereign states, regional and international institutions and non-state actors. It investigates the challenges of international relations looking at core themes such as the changing nature of warfare, conflict between, within and across states, the impact of globalisation and interdependence on states and societies and perennial global issues such as poverty, injustice and human rights.
Why study at Portsmouth?
International relations at Portsmouth has an established reputation for providing excellent student support. In the most recent external review of our teaching we scored 23 out of 24 and we have come out in the top five institutions for politics and international relations provision in the National Student Survey over the last three years.
In addition to an excellent track record in teaching, our staff also contribute to the Centre for European and International Studies Research group, which received the top grade of five in the most recent review of University research (RAE 2001), helping to consolidate and maintain a research-informed curriculum.
Placements
This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which lets you earn credits toward your degree for work / research placements, volunteer roles or internships undertaken alongside your studies. The option gives you the opportunity to enhance your employability skills, to reflect on the ways in which you've done so, and to learn to express this to potential employers.
Course content
Year one
All year one units are compulsory.
- Introduction to Political Thought
- Introduction to International Relations: States, Conflict and Cooperation
- Understanding Governance and Politics
- Introduction to Political Economy
- Current Political Issues
- Global Issues
Year two
Alongside year two's core study, you are able to select options that shape your degree to the issues or countries that most interest you.
- International Politics
- International Relations Theory
- EITHER Russian and Eurasian Politics
OR Ethnicity and Conflict Resolution - EITHER From Revolution to Dictatorship - Russia and the Soviet Union 1917-1941
OR Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis - Options chosen from a range including:
- Culture and Ideas in Twentieth Century Europe
- Comparing Extremism in Twentieth Century Europe
- Global Environmental Issues and Concerns
- International Politics of the Middle East
- US Foreign Policy: Ideals and Self Interest
- Conflict and Disaster
- Key Issues in Development
- Democratisation in Latin America
- Nation, Language and Identity
- Languages (University Wide Option)
- Learning from Experience (Faculty Wide Option)
Year three
In year three, you will write your dissertation, or undertake a work-based project, alongside further core and optional study.
- Dissertation / Project
- Global Political Economy
- Strategic and Security Studies
- Options including:
- Civil Rights in the USA and its Legacy
- Colonialism & End of Empire: France & West Africa
- Development and Foreign Aid
- Protecting the Environment in Europe
- Nazi Germany
- Democracy and Democratisation
- Transnational European Union (IR)
- Political Economy of the European Union
- Coming to Terms with the National Socialist Past
- France in the World: Global Actor or Global Maverick
- Transnational Justice & Human Rights in L America
- Learning from Experience (Faculty Wide Option)
Please note that whilst a wide range of options will be offered in every semester, there will inevitably be some variation in the availability of individual units at any given time.
Teaching and assessment
All students are supported by a personal tutor system. From your first week to your final year of study a member of staff is dedicated to assisting with your personal and academic development. All staff also offer weekly office hours - where they are available to support you with all aspects of your academic study. Our teaching approach involves a range of small and large group learning environments with lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. You will be encouraged to participate fully in group discussions in order to develop your communication skills.
We use a range of assessment methods including article reviews, essays, projects, briefing papers, individual and group presentations and a 10,000-word dissertation. Examinations include open, pre-seen papers and closed, traditional examinations. This diversity of assessment will allow you to develop a range of writing styles. Our strong tradition of providing a high standard of guidance and support, whilst encouraging you to develop as an independent learner through the later stages of your degree, will help you develop the techniques necessary for the assessed work.
Career prospects
A degree in international relations will serve as excellent preparation for a range of careers in government, international organisations, NGOs, pressure groups, voluntary organisations, policy research, the media and multinational corporations.
However, beyond these vocational areas you will also be given the opportunity to practise and develop various skills such as team working, time and project management, presentational skills and skills of analysis and argument. These skills open up a range of careers for graduates and as a result many go into areas less directly related to the degree such as teaching, research, advertising, marketing, public relations, banking, management, financial services and personnel.
Facilities and features
Over recent years, the University has invested substantially in its teaching facilities. Our teaching rooms at Milldam are equipped with multimedia and audiovisual facilities. In addition, we provide quiet rooms and a dedicated IT teaching room and facilities. The School has a large archive of documentary films in its multimedia resources area and the University Library has recently undergone an £11 million extension to further enhance the range of resources available to you. In addition, increasing use is made of electronic learning resources, from library databases of electronic journals to the provision of complementary and/or supplementary online resources for many units.