BA (Hons)
International Relations
Contemporary issues and debates in an international context
Course Overview
Why take this course?
On this course aims, you will investigate the key actors in international relations, such as sovereign states and international institutions. Our programme looks at their involvement in core themes including warfare, conflict and cooperation, globalisation and interdependence, and poverty, injustice and human rights.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Engage with and evaluate current critical debates
- Shape the course to your interests with a range of options, and choose to 'major' in either half of your degree
- Undertake work or research placements, volunteer roles and internships alongside your study
What opportunities might it lead to?
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.
I like the freedom of choice this course has, including a wide range of options and the option to study abroad for a year.
Fahad Atalla, BA (Hons) International Relations student
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- L253
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
240-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8299 - Department
- School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Subject:
History, Politics and Social Studies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The diverse spread of subjects offered and ability to complete your own research
- The critical thinking, analytical and debating skills you’ll develop
- The passionate lecturers with a wide range of specialist research expertise
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
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
Options including:
- Colonialism and End of Empire in Black Africa
- Governing the European Union
- Culture and Ideas in Twentieth Century Europe
- Comparing Extremism in Twentieth Century Europe
- Global Environmental Issues and Concerns
- International Politics of the Middle East
- Key Issues in Development
- Democratisation of Latin America
- US Foreign Policy: Ideals and Self Interest
- Conflict and Disaster
- Nation, Language and Identity
- Contemporary East Asian Cultures and Societies
- France's Civil Wars
- Russian and Eurasian Politics
- Languages (University Wide Option)
- Learning from Experience (Faculty Wide Option)
- Ethnicity and Conflict Resolution
- Chinese Politics and Society
- Fighting over Europe
- From Revolution to Dictatorship - Russia and the Soviet Union 1917-1941
- The French Exception: Politics and Society in Contemporary France
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
- Applying EU Policy
- China and East Asian Economies
- Money, Power and the Press
- Transitional Justice and Human Rights
- Development and Foreign Aid
- Rethinking Nazi Germany
- Development and Foreign Aid
- Civil Rights in the USA and its Legacy
- Fighting over Europe
- Migration in East Asia
- Negotiation and Lobbying in the EU
- Democracy and Democratisation
- Political Economy of the European Union
- Coming to Terms with the National Socialist Past
- France in the World: Global Actor or Global Maverick
- Learning from Experience (Faculty Wide Option)
Teaching and Assessment
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.
How are you assessed?
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 through your personal tutor, 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.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with group working spaces, printers, Mac workstations and more
Research-Active Staff
Academic staff split their time between research and teaching
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with a comfy seating area, desks where you can work, printers, Mac workstations and access to the wireless network so you can log in using your own laptop. There are also several study rooms where you can work on group projects, alongside access to the University 3rd Space.
Research-Active Staff
You will be taught by specialist staff who are actively undertaking research in this field, ensuring your learning keeps you abreast of the latest developments. Staff are members of the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR), the UK's largest research centre of its kind.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
The facilities are definitely modern and up to date and you can expect to have everything that you need in order to do the work that you have to.
Giedrius Mickevicius, BA (Hons) International Relations student 2013
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
You can expect to pursue careers in local, national or international government, as well as teaching or lecturing, research, voluntary organisations and NGOs. Many also enter areas such as advertising and marketing, PR, media, banking and financial services.
Our graduates have gone on to jobs as:
- politician’s assistant
- public affairs consultant
- social researcher
- information officer
- conference producer
- local government administrator
Work experience
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.
The School of Social Historical and Literary Studies can offer you a number of work experience opportunities in a range of local organizations during your degree course. Currently these include projects at the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the New Theatre Royal, with local government departments and political groups, and a number of our students have worked on small research projects for the local community.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more