
Graham McBeath
Senior Lecturer in Politics
Faculty of Business and Law
UCAS Code:
BA: 5L9L
Foundation: LL22
Level:
Undergraduate
Duration:
Full Time: 3 Years
Full Time with Foundation: 4 Years
Part Time: 4 - 6 Years
Starting:
September
UK Fees 23/24:
Full Time: £9,250
Part Time: £1,540 (per 20 credits)
Foundation: £9,250
International Fees 23/24:
Full Time: £14,750
Foundation: £14,750
Location:
Waterside
For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:
The Politics and International Relations degree at UON will provide you with an exciting and varied curriculum, as well as opportunities to apply your learning in international settings.
Through this international relations BA you will develop a critical understanding of contemporary issues such as threats to global security, the changing nature of international co-operation and power alignments, environmental politics, the future of democracy, and the politics of communication. On this international relations and politics degree, our academic staff have a wide range of specialist research interests and you will learn in a friendly and supportive environment.
This BA in international relations aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the nature of contemporary politics and the international order.
Updated 01/02/2023
*Future study trips and placement opportunities abroad are dependent on Government and local travel guides relating to Covid-19.
Our Politics and International Relations course has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG10 of Reduced Inequalities.
Throughout your Politics and International Relations degree studies, you will have the opportunity to pursue your own interests through choosing from a range of optional modules. Our Politics and International Relations lecturers publish in their specialist fields and have a wide range of research interests which are reflected in the content of the courses, giving you the benefit of up-to-date scholarship and debate. Academic staff expertise includes political and International Relations theory, comparative political systems and globalisation, political movements and elections, regional studies and international development.
The global area specialisms of our staff are reflected in this international relations BA, allowing you to engage with a range of issues relating to the politics and power interactions between those regions and states identified with the Global North and Global South. Please note that the timetabling of modules changes each year, so this table is intended to be indicative only.
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 22/23. The modules relating to the academic year 23/24 will be available from June 2023.
In your first year, you will be introduced to the key historical, contemporary and theoretical aspects that are needed for the study of Politics and International Relations. It is not assumed that you will have studied these subjects before and so topics are explored in great depth.
In the second year, you will undertake a research placement and will also have the option of joining an international field trip (an alternative is provided for those who may be unable to participate in the field trip).
In the third year, you will complete a dissertation, which enables you to conduct research on a topic of your choice, with the support of your supervisor.
The BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations degree is part of the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCS). The ELCS is an opportunity for members of the Armed Forces to further or expand on their education. The scheme offers support financially in a maximum of three separate financial years for higher level learning of a nationally recognised qualification at a Level three or above.
Standard entry requirements for this politics and international relations degree apply. A typical offer would be:
We welcome international applicants as well as applications from mature students and those with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.
Although study in the Humanities/Social Sciences is a useful starting point for studying International Relations and Politics at degree level, it is not essential for you to have previously studied within this area.
For more information on how to make an application please visit our How to Apply pages for Home and EU, and International students.
The standard entry requirements for the Integrated Foundation Year are:
All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
Fees for this international relations BA quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
The compulsory International Field trip is funded by the Faculty of Business and Law (subject to terms and conditions). You will need to allow an additional £70-100 for your expenses. You may need to purchase a visa for the study abroad trip.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
If you join our full-time BA Politics and International Relations degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.
Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.
To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.
*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).
The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.
If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for our Politics and International Relations course we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year Politics and International Relations programme which includes a Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.
Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.
Please see our Integrated Foundation Year page for more details.
No, we don’t expect you to have any experience or education in Politics and International Relations before you join the course. Our course aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the nature of contemporary politics and the international order. We want you to come with a passion for politics and in open mind to learning.
The Politics and International Relations degree is assessed primarily (though not exclusively) through continuous forms of coursework.
We use a diverse range of assessments designed to develop both your knowledge of the course area and important key skills, including written and oral communication and critical analysis.
Examples of assessments include traditional essays, short assignments, presentations, participation in debates, internet research assignments as well as interactive technology (e.g. computer gaming in relation to international diplomacy and strategy). Most modules involve two or three units of assessment spread out over the academic year.
A special feature of the Politics and International Relations course is the research placement in year two, where you will have the opportunity to work with relevant organisations in the UK or abroad. Recent students have undertaken placements with members of parliament, political parties and voluntary organisations.
We also offer an International Field module that gives you the opportunity to apply your learning to international contexts. The International Field module is funded by the Faculty of Business and Law (subject to terms and conditions).
As part of the compulsory second year International Field Module, you will have the opportunity to participate in a specifically designed international field trip, which will be funded by the University.
The Student Experience Support Team are a team of previous graduates of the University of Northampton, they are here to support all Faculty of Business and Law students by offering a friendly listening ear and ensuring students are aware of the numerous support systems that the University has to offer. The team provide confidential 1-1 meetings in person and online where they will signpost the students to the relevant support teams to ensure they are aware of the support available for them throughout their studies. You can follow the Student Experience Support Team to see the services they offer.
Izzy and Tasha have embraced the Changemaker mindset by taking advantage of UON's employability scheme. Alongside studying BA International Relation degrees, the skills they built have helped shaped their current career paths.
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Graduates from Politics and International Relations courses possess highly sought after transferable skills that enable them to pursue careers in the public, private and voluntary sectors, including government, public administration, commerce and international development.
Some of our politics and international relations degree graduates also go on to complete further study at postgraduate level, including the MA International Relations, MA History, and the International Relations and Politics PhD scheme at the University of Northampton.
Our postgraduate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give yourself a CV that will catch the eye of employers.
The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.
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