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Politics and International Studies - BSc (Hons)

Overview

A dynamic subject essential to understanding people, power and policies in a changing world.

Revalidation

The University regularly ‘refreshes’ courses to make sure they are as up-to-date as possible. In addition it undertakes formal periodic review of courses in a process called 'revalidation’ to ensure that they continue to meet standards and are current and relevant. This course will be revalidated in the near future and it is possible that there will be some changes to the course as described in this prospectus.

Summary

Among other aims, our Politics and International Studies degree provides:

• A detailed knowledge and understanding of contemporary political analysis;
• An excellent training in social research methods;
• The ability to apply theoretical perspectives and concepts to real-life problems, and;
• An appreciation of the complexity and diversity of political problems in society.

The degree equips graduates for employment in a range of careers in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors.

Our curriculum is based upon the research and scholarship of the staff team. We aim to encourage students to become research literate and have a strong understanding and appreciation of the research carried out within their discipline.

Students are introduced to central questions driving political change across the world today and discover how academics, including their own lecturers, are trying to address them.

About this course

About

Our Politics and International Studies course covers all the core areas of the discipline and offers a range of options focusing on theories and ideologies, international relations and the study of the politics of individual nation states.

Students will have an opportunity to cover the key areas of the discipline, including:

• The nature of power;
• Polarisation, mobilisation and radicalisation;
• Work-based learning and the politics of employability;
• The meaning and relevance of political ideologies;
• The interrelationships between domestic and international politics;
• The functions and development of political institutions;
• The challenges posed by new social movements and global developments;
• The meaning and application of political theories;
• Policy design and implementation;
• The politics of memory and dealing with the past;
• British, Irish, African, Asian, Americas and European politics;
• The continued relevance of political thinkers and theorists;
• Conflict transformation and peace building.

Our students gain the skills and ability to carry out independent research, to assess the merits of competing theories and explanations, to work as part of a team, and to effectively engage in policy debate with sensitivity to the views of others – all skills that are highly attractive to employers.

Research Informed Teaching:

• Our curriculum is based upon the research and scholarship of the staff team.
• Students conduct research for their degree in computer labs and via a range of team and semi-independent methodologies within and outside of the university.
• Our students accrue skills that are highly attractive to employers including: the ability to carry out detailed research, to assess the merits of competing theories and explanations, to work as part of a team, and to effectively engage in policy debate with sensitivity to the views of others.

Employability and Politics:

• The Politics degree provides a detailed knowledge and understanding of contemporary political analysis, an excellent training in social research methods, the ability to apply theoretical perspectives and concepts to real-life problems, and an appreciation of the complexity and diversity of political problems in society.
• The degree equips graduates for employment in a range of careers in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors.

Attendance

The course operates in 'slow-track' mode, with part-time students taking modules which are available to full-time students. Each module usually involves a two hour lecture plus a one hour seminar each week. In addition, students are required to undertake substantial directed independent learning.

Start dates

• September 2026

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Instruction will take place in the form of two hour lectures and one hour seminars, or a combined three hour lecture/seminar, given on a weekly basis. Full attendance is essential. A module outline is provided at the start of the semester indicating the topics and readings for each session. More detailed lesson plans are made available via Blackboard well in advance of each teaching day. Students must consult Blackboard on a regular basis to ensure that they have the most recent information on readings and tasks that they need to complete before the upcoming session. All our modules require a significant commitment from students who are expected to be familiar with required readings when coming to class. Lectures will address complex substantive, conceptual and technical details required to fulfil the module aims. Students are expected to actively engage in dialogue with lecturers about the issues under discussion by asking and answering questions throughout lecture presentations. Seminars will build on instruction and facilitate dialogue and critical examination. Student group work in seminars and participation in debates and role playing /practical exercises will be features of seminars. Students will be directed to read steadily and extensively throughout the period between teaching sessions in order to keep up with the course requirements and fully benefit from participation in the teaching sessions. Students will be expected to participate in, and contribute effectively to, group tasks during the semester. Independent learning forms a core feature of the Politics and International Studies programme. It is reflected in the requirement that students undertake a significant amount of external research to fulfil their assignments. Academic staff will be available to support and encourage that endeavour throughout. The structure assumes that academic staff will encourage students in ascertaining students' preferred area of research; give general and specific guidance in the location of relevant research materials; support the development of ideas and research plans; and guide students to governmental and non-governmental sources of materials and information that are relevant to their assignment. Students will be encouraged to develop retrieval skills in relation to academic and governmental sources. All our modules are offered by blended learning. The aim of all assessments is to give students the opportunity to review, consolidate and reflect on their learning and to demonstrate the extent to which they have acquired knowledge, understanding and skills. Hence, several modes of assessment are employed in our modules. Formative assessment involves course-based assessment work and ordinarily, though not always, accounts for 50% of the total marks available. It will give staff and students an early indication of their performance while providing a foundation for the summative assessment that accounts for the remaining 50%. Assessments range from essays, case studies, policy briefs, presentations, electoral and conflict analysis or examinations.

Modules

Year one

• Introduction to Government and Public Policy
• Foundations of Political Thought
• Introduction to the Study and Practice of Politics
• International Relations

Year two

• Democracy in the United Kingdom
• State Crime
• Introduction to Sociology
• Introduction to Social Policy and Social Justice
• Policy for Children and Families

Year three

• The Politics of Ireland since Partition
• Political thought: Text and Context
• Work Based Learning and Politics
• British Politics: 'Race', Class, and Policy

Year four

• Politics in Europe
• The Comparative Politics of Democracy and Dictatorship
• Populism
• Memory and the Nation
• Politics and Society in Latin America
• The Politics of Identity
• Migration, 'Race' and Ethnicity

Year five

• Research Methods
• Dissertation: Politics
• Transforming Violence
• Politics of Deeply Divided Societies
• Terrorism and Political Violence

Standard entry conditions

• A level: Provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE English Language grades A-C/ 4-9 or equivalent); and Provide evidence of passes in five subjects, two of which must be at A level (grades A-E) and three at GCSE level* (grades A-C/4-9); or Provide evidence of passes in four subjects, three of which must be at A level (grades A-E) and one at GCSE level* (grades A-C/4-9); or Provide evidence of an approved qualification at an equivalent level such as a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma or Access to Higher Education qualification or equivalent; or Provide evidence, for a process of formal accreditation by the University, of learning you have gained through work or other experience.
• GCSE: You must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass in English Language at grade C or above (or equivalent).
• English Language Requirements: The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Careers & opportunities

• Graduate employers: Graduates from this course are now working for: NI Assembly, NI Political Parties, Inform Communication, Axiom Law, Civil Service, PSNI, Local or National Media Company
• Job roles: With this degree you could become: Political Party Campaign Officer, Police Officer, Civil Service Fast Streamer, Journalist, Public Affairs Consultant, Research Officer, Assembly Researcher
• Career options: Enhancing your career: The academic study of politics is invaluable for those who aim to pursue a career in local or national government. There is a growing demand for staff in leadership positions in the voluntary or non-governmental sector, and in political lobbying firms, think-tanks, and private sector consultancy firms. Students who have completed our course will have acquired the skills of respectful listening to those with diverse opinions, and of expressing opinions in a clear and respectful fashion. These skills are an excellent preparation for teamwork in a broad range of work contexts. Recent graduates have taken up careers in journalism, community development, research, teaching, the civil service and in a number of private sector companies. Others have taken the opportunity to study at postgraduate level.

Fees and funding

• 2026/27 Fees: Undergraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.
• Scholarships, awards and prizes: An annual prize may be given for the best final year Politics dissertation. Politics students can be considered for the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences Global Studies Award for the best dissertation with an international focus. Additionally, Politics students are encouraged to submit their final year work to The Undergraduate Awards, an international awards programme which recognises creativity, excellence and innovative thinking within student coursework. We have had a number of entries which have been highly commended.

Additional mandatory costs

• It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.