Politics & International Relations BA (Hons) (with Foundation Year)

The Foundation Year is a great opportunity if you have the ability and enthusiasm to study for a degree, but do not yet have the qualifications required to enter directly onto our degree programmes. A significant part of the Foundation Year focuses upon core skills such as academic writing at HE level, becoming an independent learner, structuring academic work, critical thinking, time management and note taking.

Successful completion of the Foundation Year will enable you to progress into the first year (Level C) of your chosen honours degree. Further details can be found here.

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

Foundations in Politics

This module introduces key ideas, concepts, and debates in political analysis. Themes include:

- Key Ideas in Politics – Explore how politics is studied, the nature of democracy and the state, power, decision-making, and political behaviour

- Political Ideologies – Examine classic ideologies such as conservatism, communism, nationalism, and feminism

- Foundations of Democracy – Trace the development of modern liberal democracies from ancient Greece to contemporary systems of representation

Politics: Issues, Institutions, and Actors

This module examines political systems, institutions, and key actors. Themes include:

- Key Institutions in Politics – Study constitutions, legislatures, and the executive, and their roles in political power

- Key Actors in Politics – Analyse political parties, interest groups, the public, and media, exploring trends in political organisation and participation

- International Organisations – Learn about the role of the UN, NATO, and other global actors

- Challenges to Democracy – Consider threats such as authoritarianism, illiberal democracies, political violence, and terrorism

Foundations in International Relations

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

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.

Explorations in Politics and International Relations

British Politics and Democracy

Analyse and evaluate key institutions and organisations within the British political system. Explore major contemporary issues, including the distribution of power, fairness of representation, and the ongoing implications of Brexit.

Democracy in the USA

Examine American democracy, the US constitutional framework, electoral processes, and voting behaviour. Study key 21st-century elections, including the election of Barack Obama and the Trump elections of 2016 and 2020, with consideration of minority presidents and political controversies.

European Democracy

Compare democratic systems across Europe, examining institutions, parliaments, welfare states, electoral systems, and voting behaviour from Ireland to Russia. This module develops analytical skills and prepares students for independent research and dissertations by deepening knowledge of governance and political diversity.

Theories and Analysis of International Relations

Expand on first-year IR foundations by studying mainstream (liberal and realist), middle-ground (Constructivism, English School), and critical (Marxism, Dependency Theory, Post-Structuralism, Critical Theory, Feminism, Green Theory, Post-Developmentalism) approaches. Evaluate their theoretical and practical applications to contemporary international relations.

EU Foreign Policy

Explore the origins and development of EU foreign policy, assessing strengths and challenges across security, trade, environmental, normative, and integration dimensions.

UK Foreign Policy

Examine the UK’s international identity and foreign policy in relation to key global regions. Analyse directions and challenges in security, trade, development, and environmental policy.

Advanced Studies in Politics and International Relations

Politics in the United States

Examine the evolution of American politics through key issues and major policy challenges, including changing demographics, gun control, and the death penalty. Seminars focus on:

The Imperial Presidency

Study the development of the presidency as a central institution in American politics and foreign policy, from Franklin Roosevelt to contemporary presidents such as Kennedy, LBJ, Nixon, and Reagan.

Governance and Decision-Making in the European Union

Explore the EU’s unorthodox governance system and diverse decision-making practices. Students analyse core theories of European integration, governing institutions, and policy-making methods. Seminars include treaty analysis, debates, and mock treaty negotiations to develop analytical and practical skills.

Power and Politics

Investigate contemporary politics through the lens of power. Analyse where power lies, how political organisation and activism evolve, the impact of technology, and the functioning of the state.

Bottom-Up International Politics

Examine the role of non-state actors and civil society in shaping global politics.

Dynamics of Conflict and Peace

Explore theoretical and practical aspects of contemporary conflicts, peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding.

U.S.-Led Order and Post-Hegemony

Reflect on the historical role of the United States in shaping global order and consider post-hegemony developments, challenges, and scenarios.

Research element

Prepare for the final-year dissertation through research skills classes. Develop the knowledge, skills, and support needed to conduct a long-form research project in International Relations.

Dissertation

Complete a 10,000-word dissertation in Politics and International Relations. Receive individual tutor guidance while conducting independent research on a topic of personal interest, applying theory to real-world issues.