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International Relations: University of Birmingham

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Degree 
BA
Address
International Relations: University of Birmingham, Department of Political Science & International Studies, European Research Institute, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Subject
International Relations
Duration 
3 years
Telephone 
+44(0)121 414 6526
Fax 
+44(0)121 414 3496
E-mail 

pol...@bham.ac.uk

Website 
http://www.bham.ac.uk/polsis



Report Recommend

You do not have to look too far to find examples of how international relations impinge on our everyday lives. For example, international conventions on human rights or environmental issues increasingly shape domestic legislation in individual countries, while the prospect of military intervention in specific regions can have an adverse impact on the global economy that reverberates around the world.

This degree addresses a wide range of problems and concerns that have a global dimension or impact, and which require international co-operation if they are to be resolved or managed effectively. While International Relations is a distinct academic discipline, it is by its nature interdisciplinary, requiring you to acquire some knowledge of politics, history, geography, economics and law.

About the department

The Department of Political Science and International Studies, which teaches this programme, is one of the largest and best departments of its type in the UK. It received a score of 5 in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise (maximum 5*/6) and the maximum score of 24 in the 2001 Teaching Quality Assessment. The department has also enjoyed a consistently high place in the Guardian league tables (never outside the top 10) since these were first published in 2000.

The department has a balance of expertise that covers all areas of the discipline and has long-established strengths in the fields of political theory, European politics, international relations theory, security studies, diplomatic studies, political sociology, political economy, Pacific Asian politics and British politics. It contributes to a wide range of undergraduate teaching programmes ranging from Political Science Single Honours to International Studies with a Language, as well as a range of Joint Honours degree schemes (see International Relations Joint Honours BA and Political Science Joint Honours BA).

First year

You receive a thorough grounding in the study of international relations, with particular emphasis on the major approaches to the discipline and core issues such as conflict, war, peace, security, international and regional organisations, and international law. You also take a number of complementary courses in the department, and options offered elsewhere.

Second year

The second-year core course further develops your understanding of the discipline, introducing many new perspectives on international relations. As such, it is designed to develop your knowledge and theoretical understanding of this dynamic and changing field. In the second year you can also take a number of related courses within the department.

Third year

In the third year you may take a range of options. These include: Power in Britain; Twentieth Century Political Thought; Political Economy of the EU; Contemporary US Foreign and Security Policy; International Ethics; Contemporary IPE; Topics in British Politics; Poverty, Welfare and the State; Modern European Political Thought; European Security; Critical Security Studies; International Organisations; Advanced Modern Asia; and War-torn States and Post-conflict Reconstruction in the South.

Career opportunities

Their graduates enter a variety of careers in international and non-governmental organisations, teaching, the media, the Civil Service and business, as well as pursuing further postgraduate study.

Entry requirements

  • Number of A levels required: 3
  • Typical offer: ABB
  • General Studies: accepted
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma: 34 points

Other qualifications are considered – see the entry requirements section for full details

Contact details

For general information about open days

Main University Switchboard

  • Postal address: The University of Birmingham
    Edgbaston
    Birmingham
    B15 2TT
    United Kingdom
  • Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3344
  • Fax: +44(0)121 414 3971

Admissions

Student Recruitment

International Relations


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