Politics & International Relations BA (Hons)*

In the first year, you will take four core modules, building a foundation in both politics and international relations.

Foundations in Politics (30 credits)

This module introduces key ideas, concepts, and debates in political analysis. Themes include:  key ideas in politics (how politics is is studied, the nature of democracy and the state, power, decision-making, and political behaviour), political ideologies (such as conservatism, communism, nationalism, and feminism), and development of modern liberal democracies from ancient Greece to contemporary systems of representation.

Politics: Issues, Institutions, and Actors (30 credits)

This module examines political systems, institutions, and key actors. Themes include: key institutions in politics (constitutions, legislatures, the executive and their roles in political power), key actors (parties, interest groups, the public, and media, exploring trends in political organisation and participation), international organisations (UN, NATO, and other global actors), and challenges to democracy (authoritarianism, illiberal democracies, political violence, and terrorism).

Foundations in International Relations (30 credits)

This module introduces essential IR concepts, terms, and theories. Students explore the origins of power and diplomacy, the State and Nation, the differences between power and influence, and dimensions of security. The module also examines political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic issues globally, along with key actors and institutions.

Global Issues, Institutions, and Actors (30 credits)

Students examine contemporary global challenges, including environmental issues, food security, poverty, migration, conflict, terrorism, and transnational organised crime. The module combines theoretical perspectives with case studies of institutions and diplomatic practice, providing a contextual understanding of international politics.

EU Governance and Decision-Making (15 credits)

Ever wondered who really makes the decisions that affect over 450 million people across Europe? From climate action and AI regulation to trade and migration, this module takes you inside the European Union's decision-making process.

You'll discover how institutions like the European Parliament, European Commission and the Council work together (and sometimes against each other) to shape policy. Using different political theories, you'll learn how to understand complex negotiations, analyse major policy decisions and evaluate the challenges facing one of the world's most influential political systems.

British Politics and Government (15 credits)

How is the UK really governed? Why do elections matter? And what challenges does British democracy face today?

This module explores the institutions at the heart of UK politics, including Parliament, political parties, the Prime Minister and government. You'll examine how power works in practice, debate current political issues and assess how effectively Britain's political system responds to the challenges of the 21st century.

Theories and Analysis of International Relations (30 credits)

Why do wars happen? Can international cooperation solve global problems? What shapes the behaviour of states and world leaders? How different ways of looking at the world shape that world politically?

This module introduces you to the big ideas that help explain global politics. You'll explore influential perspectives including Realism, Liberalism and Constructivism, alongside critical approaches such as Feminism, Green Theory, Post-Colonialism and Marxism.

By the end of the module, you'll be able to analyse international events from multiple perspectives and develop the critical thinking skills needed to understand an increasingly complex world.

Comparative Democracy: Europe and the USA (30 credits)

Why do democracies work differently around the world? How do voting systems shape political outcomes? And what can countries learn from one another?

Compare democratic systems across Europe and the United States, exploring how different political institutions, constitutions and electoral systems influence government and public life.

You'll investigate topics including elections, political participation, voting behaviour, welfare systems and democratic values, developing a global understanding of how democracies succeed—and where they face growing challenges.

British Foreign Policy (15 credits)

How does the UK respond to international crises? What role should Britain play on the world stage?

Explore how the UK shapes its relationships with countries across the globe, examining major issues including security, trade, international development, diplomacy and climate policy. You'll analyse the opportunities and challenges that influence Britain's role in an increasingly interconnected world.

EU Foreign Policy (15 credits)

Can 27 countries speak with one voice?

Discover how the European Union works to influence global affairs through diplomacy, trade, security and environmental leadership. You'll explore how EU foreign policy has developed, assess its successes and limitations, and examine its role in responding to today's global challenges.

US Foreign Policy (15 credits)

Why is the United States one of the world's most influential global powers? How has its foreign policy shaped international politics?

This module explores the ideas, interests and historical events that have driven US foreign policy. You'll examine America's global role, its relationships with key regions and countries, and the challenges it faces in maintaining influence in a rapidly changing international system.

Politics in the United States (15 credits)

From the White House to Wall Street, from TikTok campaigns to presidential debates, American politics shapes the headlines—and the world.

Why is the US so politically divided? How do elections capture global attention? What role do race, identity, immigration and the Constitution play in shaping one of the world's most influential democracies?

In this module, you'll explore the forces driving American politics today, tackling some of its biggest and most controversial issues, including gun control, civil rights, demographic change and the death penalty. You'll examine how political decisions made in Washington ripple across the globe, influencing everything from international security to climate policy and the global economy.

Using real-world case studies, current events and lively debate, you'll develop the skills to analyse one of the world's most powerful political systems—and understand why what happens in the United States rarely stays in the United States.

The Imperial Presidency (15 credits)

From moments of national crisis to decisions that have reshaped the world, the American presidency has long been at the centre of global politics. This module explores how the office has evolved into one of the most powerful political institutions on Earth.

You'll examine the leadership of presidents including Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, exploring how they navigated war, economic change, civil rights and international conflict. Along the way, you'll debate the balance between presidential power and democratic accountability and consider how individual leaders have influenced both American society and the wider world.

By combining history, political analysis and contemporary debate, this module offers fresh insight into an office that continues to shape international affairs, dominate global headlines and define the future of American politics.

Power and Politics (15 credits)

This module explores one of the biggest questions in politics: how power works, who controls it, and how it changes over time. You'll challenge traditional ideas about political influence and investigate how power operates in the modern world.

From the rise of digital activism and social movements to the influence of the media, technology and global organisations, you'll explore how political change happens and why some voices have more influence than others.

By examining real-world examples and contemporary debates, you'll develop new ways of understanding politics—not just as something that happens in parliaments and governments, but as a constant struggle over ideas, resources and influence that shapes our everyday lives.

Governance and Decision-Making in the European Union (15 credits)

Discover how the European Union operates as a unique system of governance, balancing national interests, supranational institutions and complex decision-making processes. This module explores key theories of European integration, the roles of EU institutions, and the ways policies are negotiated and implemented across member states.

Through treaty analysis, debates and interactive activities such as mock negotiations, you will gain practical insight into how the EU works in practice while developing the analytical skills to understand the political challenges shaping Europe’s future. This is an essential module for students interested in careers in the EU's institutions, international organisations, or national foreign ministries.

Conflict, Peace and Human Protection (30 credits)

Conflict shapes our world, from civil wars and international rivalries to struggles over resources, identity and power. But behind every conflict are complex political, social and historical forces waiting to be understood.

This module takes you beyond the headlines to explore why conflicts emerge, how they develop and the difficult process of creating sustainable peace. You'll examine the strategies used by governments, international organisations, local communities and other actors to foster human protection, prevent violence, negotiate agreements and rebuild societies after war.

Through a combination of political theory and real-world case studies, you'll investigate the challenges of peacekeeping, peacebuilding and conflict resolution in some of the world's most contested regions. You'll develop the analytical skills to understand global crises and explore one of the most important questions in international relations: how can a divided world move towards peace?

Political Communication 15 credits)

Explore how political ideas, power and influence are shaped through communication in an era of rapid technological and political change. This module introduces key theories and debates in Political Communication, enabling you to critically analyse how governments, political parties, social movements, corporations and international actors communicate and compete for influence.

You will examine the evolving relationship between media and democracy, the rise of mediatisation and authoritarian populism, and the challenges posed by propaganda, misinformation and disinformation. Through contemporary case studies, you will explore strategic communication in conflict and peacebuilding, cultural and public diplomacy, and the growing influence of digital platforms and artificial intelligence on politics, human rights and global governance.

Develop the analytical tools to understand how communication shapes political realities — from election campaigns and activism to international crises and the future of democratic societies.

Dissertation (30 credits)

Your dissertation is the opportunity to become an expert in a political issue that matters to you.

In your final year, you'll design and complete an independent 10,000-word research project on a topic of your choice—from global conflicts and international security to elections, democracy, climate politics or the future of world power.

Working closely with an academic supervisor, you'll develop your own research question, explore evidence, apply the theories and approaches you've learned throughout your degree, and produce original analysis on a real-world issue.

More than a final assignment, your dissertation is a chance to pursue your curiosity, develop advanced research skills and demonstrate your ability to think critically about the political challenges shaping our world.