Politics and International Relations BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  The University of Northampton’s Politics and International Relations degree has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG10 of Reduced Inequalities.

  Specialised Staff

  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 University of Northampton 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.

  Industry Placement

  If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take a politics and international relations placement year, you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career in politics and international relations. We offer support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

  The Faculty of Business and Law have a dedicated Placements team who will support you through the process of taking a placement year. You can follow the Faculty of Business and Law Placements Team to hear more about their services.

  List of modules

  Stage 1

  • IRD1078 Days that Shook the World (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD1079 Political Communications (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD1080 Understanding International Relations (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD1081 Concepts and Ideologies (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD1082 Introduction to Security (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD1083 Politics in the United Kingdom (20 Credits) (Compulsory)

  Stage 2

  • IRD2115 Comparative Media Policy (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD2116 Democracy in the United States of America (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD2097 Research Methods (10 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD2118 Future Directions (10 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD2104 The Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD2120 International Field Trip (10 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD2121 Politics in the European Union (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD2117 Politics and International Relations in Practice (Placement Module) (10 Credits) (Designated)
  • IDR2119 Formulating Policy (10 Credits) (Designated)

  Optional Placement Year

  • HRM2053 The Placement Year Experience: Organisations in Context (20 Credits) (Compulsory)

  Stage 3

  • IRD4027 Politics and International Relations Dissertation (40 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD3050 The Politics of the Dispossessed (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD3066 Global Ethics and Identities (10 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD3067 Politics and Culture (10 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD3068 Contemporary Russian Foreign Relations (10 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD3069 Social Movements (10 Credits) (Compulsory)
  • IRD3070 Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism (20 Credits) (Compulsory)

  Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme

  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.

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• Entry Requirements

  Standard entry requirements for the Politics and International Relations BA degree apply. A typical offer would be:

  • BCC at A Level or
  • DMM at BTEC or
  • Pass (C and above) at T Level.

  The University of Northampton welcomes 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.

  Integrated Foundation Year Entry Requirements

  The standard entry requirements for the Integrated Foundation Year for the Politics and International Relations degree are:

  • DEE at A level or
  • MPP at BTEC or
  • Pass (D or E) at T Level.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level.

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

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• Fees and Funding

  2024/25 Tuition Fees
  

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £9,250
  • UK Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
  • UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
  • International Full Time: £15,200
  • International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

  Additional costs

  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.

  2023/24 Tuition Fees
  

  Fees for the Politics and International Relations BA quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2023/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £9,250
  • UK Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
  • UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
  • International Full Time: £14,750
  • International Integrated Foundation Year: £14,750
  • Optional Work Placement Year: £1,200

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• Student Perks

  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).

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• Integrated Foundation Year

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a university 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 degree, 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.

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• FAQs

  Do I need any experience or education in Politics before studying this course?

  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 an open mind to learning.

  How will I be assessed on the Politics and International Relations course?

  The BA 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.

  Is there a research placement available?

  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).

  Will I go on study trips?

  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 of Northampton.

  Who are the Student Support Team?

  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.

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