The International Relations and Political Science course at Newcastle allows you to combine your interest in international relations with the study of political theory and the national politics of a variety of countries.
The fortunes of one country are now closely intertwined with those of other nations. Increasingly it is necessary to study and evaluate politics and policies at an international level. This Political Science and International Relations programme allows you to combine your interest in international relations with the study of political theory and the national politics of a variety of countries.
If you want to take advantage of a unique opportunity to be supported with a work placement opportunity as part of your final year, this course includes the opportunity to undertake a ‘Professional Development’ module as part of your optional module choices.
You may also be interested in:
- Political Science and International Relations with Year Abroad BA
- International Relations BA
- Political Science BA
Institutional Accreditation
University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.
BA Political Science and International Relations
Course Level:
Undergraduate, Joint Honours combined, Single Honours
Credits
120
Course
CODE U499
How long it takes:
Undergraduate (3 years)
Study Mode:
Distance learning/ Campus
Course cost
Price: US$20,220
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Department:
Newcastle Law School
Modules in the first year
In this year you take required foundation modules in international relations and diplomatic history:
- Understanding Politics
- Introduction to Political Theory
- Politics as a Vocation 1 and 2
- Pathways to Political Research 1 and 2
- Understanding International Relations
- Global History
Modules in the second year
You build upon this foundation in the second year. An outstanding feature of the programme is the wide range of options available, as well as the interdisciplinary nature of the course. There are no required modules in the second year of this degree. Instead you will choose six second-year optional modules:
| Public Choice Theory | International Political Economy | Diplomatic History post 1945 |
| British Politics | International Relations Theory | International Security |
| International Politics & Security in Russia & Eurasia | The Political Economy of Energy and Energy Security | Modern Political Thought |
| Analysing Political Worlds | Global Governance | International Relations of the Middle East |
| Feminist Political Ideas | Comparative Politics | Elections and Voting in Britain |
| America and the Middle East through Politics and Film | Public Policy Blunders and Bad Decision Making | Soviet Politics: Rise and Fall of a Superpower |
| War and Peace in Theory and Practice | Quantitative Political Analysis | Rebels and Revolutionaries: The Politics of Non-State Armed Groups |
| Controversies in Contemporary Democracies: Comparative Perspectives |
Year Abroad option
If you have not applied for the four year, study abroad degree you can still apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world if you have achieved a grade of 2.1. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year.
Modules in the final year
In the final year of your degree you will undertake an independent study project and up to five optional modules. Modules in the final year are advanced, research led modules taught by experts in the subject area.
There are two distinct independent study pathways of independent study in the final year:
Pathway one
On this pathway you will write a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice. You will be guided and supported by a supervisor who is an expert in your area of interest. In addition to writing the dissertation you will be able to take four optional modules.
Pathway two
On the second pathway you take the module Problems in World Politics. This module is designed to allow students to apply the knowledge they have acquired on their degree to real world policy problems in politics. In addition to this independent study module you will be able to take five optional modules.
| War-Torn States and Post-Conflict Reconstruction in the South | Power in Britain | Contemporary US Foreign and Security Policy |
| Contemporary International Political Economy | Topics in British Politics | Democracy and Democratization in Contemporary Europe |
| Left Parties and Protest Movements | Gender in World Politics | Issues in US Domestic Politics |
| Professional Development | The Diplomacy of the Arab-Israeli Conflict | Global Capitalism and Migration |
| Law, Politics and the International System: Mediating Power beyond the State | Varieties of Capitalism and Welfare State Models | Parties, Voters and Elections |
| Russian Foreign Policy | Security in Europe: Actors, Crises and Threats | Strategy and Decision-Making |
| Conflict, Statehood and Sovereignty in World Politics | Populism in Contemporary Politics | Politics of Migrants, Refugees, and Diasporas in the Middle East |
| Global Uprisings: Critique and Radical Politics | New Media, Social Media, and International Politics. | Contemporary Russian and East European Politics |
| Body Politics: Security, Economy, Violence | Understanding Brexit: Identity and Euroscepticism in Europe | The EU in a Globalised World |
| The Political Economy of Russia | Environment, Politics and Society | Politics, Music and the Arts |
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally have one of the following:
- A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a UK university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
- A ‘stale’ law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, or
- An academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level
If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.
If you intend to become a Solicitor
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reduced its requirements for pre-authorisation this year. For details of the current arrangements, see the SRA website. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section. If you think you may have a character or suitability issue, you may wish to clarify with the SRA before proceeding with the GDL.
See further details of our English Language requirement
USA,UK & EU students, 2019/20 (per year)
£8,500
International students starting 2019/20 (per year)
£13,100
Assessment
You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.
All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.
Throughout your time on the Political Science and International Relations BA course, employability is a key area of focus. We help to make sure that you are employable through a range of department led and university wide initiatives which include:
Input from Professional Careers Advisers in your Curriculum
During the first year of your studies Careers Advisers from the University Careers Network team attend lectures in your course to support you with career planning from an early stage. The lectures will cover career planning, researching career and internship opportunities, developing the skills that graduate employers are looking for, and presenting yourself with impact to a potential employer.
Professional development module
You will have the unique opportunity to take advantage of a work placement as part of your final year by undertaking the Professional Development Module as part of your optional module choices.
Your Newcastle degree
Employers target Newcastle students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, their team-working abilities and cultural awareness, and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.