BA International Relations and Politics
About this course
International relations and politics is a combination that equips you to understand how power operates both within and between states, how institutions are built and contested and how global challenges are navigated by different actors with different interests and values. Politics provides the analytical tools to study government, political theory, ideology and political behaviour within national contexts. International relations extends this to examine diplomacy, conflict, trade, security, human rights and the governance of shared global problems. Together they provide one of the most comprehensive frameworks available for making sense of the contemporary world. At the University of Derby, this programme includes a foundation year, a sandwich year, a work placement and a year abroad, making it a rich and well-supported pathway into these disciplines. The foundation year builds the academic skills and contextual knowledge needed for degree-level work. The sandwich and placement elements give you direct professional experience in policy, government, international organisations, NGOs, research or the private sector, connecting your academic learning to real professional environments. The year abroad allows you to experience a different political culture directly, which is invaluable for a subject concerned with comparison and international diversity. You will study political theory, comparative government, international security, globalisation, international political economy and the major theoretical traditions of international relations. Research and analytical writing skills are developed progressively across the programme. Graduates go into careers in the civil service, diplomatic services, international organisations, NGOs, policy research, journalism, public affairs, development agencies and the private sector in roles requiring geopolitical understanding. Postgraduate study in political science, international relations or public policy is common for those wishing to specialise.
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