Politics and International Relations BA (Hons)

Course Overview

Coventry University offers an exciting and innovative Politics and International Relations BA (Hons) degree. You will learn about national and international affairs in depth by:

• studying a range of modules on African, American, European, Middle Eastern, and Asian politics
• gaining a deeper understanding of the rationale and value of peaceful and cooperative relations between nations and people
• learning how the world is becoming increasingly more connected and how this impacts on governments and their agencies, multinational companies, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and you.

Why You Should Study This Course

• An intellectually stimulating course that encourages you to sharpen your analytical skills and engage with issues of vital concern for today’s world.
• Multidisciplinary teaching with experts from national and international politics, history, global security and social theory. Learn with academic staff who are actively engaged in high-quality research that informs their teaching and who are qualified lecturers, fellows and senior fellows of AdvanceHE (staff subject to change).
• An intellectually stimulating course that encourages you to sharpen your analytical skills and engage with issues of vital concern for today’s world.
• Study specific themes such as North American, European, Asian, and Middle Eastern politics, social movements and global security as you progress through your course.
• The opportunity to develop advanced professional skills such as the ability to think independently and creatively, to advance sophisticated arguments and to communicate ideas confidently as required by potential employers.

Course Structure

Year One

• Ideas and Concepts that Shape the World - 20 credits
• Nations and Nationalism: From Unification to Annihilation - 20 credits
• The Making of a Globalised World - 20 credits
• After Destruction: The World since 1945 - 20 credits
• Power, People and the State - 20 credits
• Freedom, Rights and Democracy - 20 credits

Year Two

• Emerging Powers and Global Order - 20 credits
• Foreign Policy Analysis - 20 credits
• Ethics and International Relations - 20 credits
• The Far Right in Contemporary Europe - 20 credits
• Making Humanities: Open Project - 20 credits
• British Politics since 1997 - 20 credits

Placement Year

• UK Work Placement – 0 credits
• International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

Final Year

• Independent Project - 20 credits
• United States' Foreign Policy since 1945 - 20 credits
• African Affairs - 20 Credits
• International Relations of South Asia - 20 credits
• The Far Right in Britain and France - 20 credits
• The Green Movement: The Search for Sustainability - 20 credits
• Political Ideologies since 1945 - 20 credits
• Politics of the Middle East - 20 credits

Entry Requirements

• Typical entry requirements:
  • UK: 112 UCAS points
  • International: IELTS 6.0 overall (with no component part lower than 5.5)
• Other qualifications and experience:
  • The Access to HE Diploma. Plus GCSE English at grade 4 / C or above.
  • BTEC: DMM
  • IB Diploma: 29 points

Fees and Funding

• Student | Full-time | Part-time
  • UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £9,535 per year | Request fee information
  • EU | £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary** | Not available
  • International | £16,800 per year | Not available

Facilities

• Students will benefit from studying on our well-equipped, modern campus.
• The George Eliot Building
• The Library
• Academic support

Careers and Opportunities

• On successful completion of this course, you will have knowledge of:
  • the origins and character of different political systems.
  • the origins and character of the contemporary international system.
  • key issues, institutions and processes that determine domestic affairs and international relations.
  • methods and approaches employed in the study of politics and international relations.
• You will be able to:
  • accurately identify the issue(s) which needs researching and retrieve up-to-date, discipline based information using paper and electronic sources
  • locate a range of information sources, to gather and marshal relevant evidence successfully
  • critically review, synthesise and debate evidence collected by research
  • construct fair, coherent and convincing arguments using the relevant concepts and approaches in the discipline of politics and international relations
  • analyse problems, take decisions, be creative and show initiative
  • work independently with increasing self-confidence and to reflect upon the process of learning
  • work within a group, to negotiate, to learn from others and to lead an activity
  • manage time effectively, to set objectives and to evaluate the performance of yourself and others
  • develop and debate ideas and to sustain arguments effectively both orally and in written form.

Further Study

• You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the International Relations MA, Politics MA and Terrorism, International Crime and Global Security MA. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1843 as the Coventry School of Design
• Received university status in 1992
• Over 30,000 students from over 150 countries
• Campuses in Coventry, London, and Scarborough
• Known for its focus on practical, industry-focused education

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Student Life:

• Over 150 student clubs and societies
• Sports teams in various disciplines
• Student support services include counseling, mental health support, and disability support
• Campus facilities include a gym, swimming pool, and student union

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Academics:

• Offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of subjects
• Faculty with industry experience and research expertise
• Teaching methodologies include lectures, seminars, workshops, and project-based learning
• Academic support services include writing centers, math labs, and peer mentoring
• Unique academic programs include:
  • Centre for Applied Science and Technology
  • Centre for Business in Society
  • Centre for Intelligent Systems

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Ranked among the top 150 universities in the UK (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023)
• Excellent industry connections and partnerships
• Specialized facilities such as the National Transport Design Centre and the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing
• Notable alumni include:
  • Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine
  • Sir David Attenborough, naturalist and broadcaster
  • Sir Patrick Stewart, actor

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center
• Accommodation services
• Library with over 1 million books and resources
• Technology support
• Career development services