International Relations is the study and understanding of the changing world in which we live. It explores relations between states, peoples, social movements and cultural and religious communities. Its major focus is diplomatic relations – war, peace, conflict and cooperation – but also international communication, terrorism, the role of the media, and protest and resistance to established power.
During this course you will look at complex situations which are exciting and challenging to analyse. You will take roles in simulation exercises and try to understand how crises are managed and problems are handled by getting into the minds of different participants. This will build your confidence, give you presentation and advocacy skills, and give you understanding across cultural barriers.
Teaching is informed by regionally aligned research strengths in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Europe. This research feeds directly into the course, which means you will be learning about the latest issues from world-renowned experts.
This course will help you develop a greater awareness of the complexity and connectedness of the processes that shape our worlds. This opens up careers in a wide range of fields in the public and private sectors, fostering the skills, imagination, understanding and flexibility which employers demand.
This course is part of our Joint Honours programme so you can put together your own course based on two or three areas of interest. What you learn in one subject will compliment and enhance what you learn in others. As part of our exchange semester you'll also have the exciting opportunity to study at an American, Australian or European university.
Any questions?
General course enquiries
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Admissions enquiries
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4200
Please note the following information for applicants
What will I study?
Year One
Compulsory
- Foundations and Challenges: An Introduction to International Relations
Optional
- Contemporary Europe
- Global Political Economy and International Relations
- Global Security, Conflict and Terrorism
- International Institutions
- International Relations of the Asia-Pacific
- The Global Politics of Culture and Identity
Year Two
Compulsory
- Understanding and Explaining International Relations
Optional
- Contemporary Europe
- Global Political Economy and International Business
- Global Security, Conflict and Terrorism
- International Institutions
- International Relations of the Asia-Pacific
- The Global Politics of Culture and Identity
Year Three
Compulsory
Optional
- Contemporary Europe
- Global Political Economy and International Business
- Global Security, Conflict and Terrorism
- International Institutions
- International Relations and Security in East Asia
- The Global Politics of Culture and Identity
For full details of the modules available and details of what you will be able to study please download our module booklet. 
Degree options and UCAS codes
Joint Honours International Relations is taken in combination with one or two of the following subjects as part of the BA Joint Honours programme. The numbers in the brackets is the UCAS code for a Joint Honours degree in International Relations alongside the listed subject:
- Communication and Society (LL32)
- English (LQ23)
- European Studies (LR29)
- Film and TV (PL32)
- French (RL12)
- German (RL22)
- Global Studies (LL92)
- History (LV21)
- Italian (RL3F)
- Linguistics (QL12)
- Mandarin Chinese (L2T1)
- Media (LP23)
- Philosophy (VL52)
- Politics (L240)
- Spanish (RL42)
- TESOL (L2X1).
How will I learn?
The first year is normally divided equally between the two joint honours subjects and a third drawn from a wide range of subjects within the School (including the University Language Programme). This enables greater flexibility in course selection. At the end of Year One, students have the opportunity to select between an equally weighted joint honours course and a more specialised pathway.
We ensure your learning experience is varied and gives you transferable skills that you can put into practice for years to come. Most modules involve discussions, presentations, group work and independent project work. Tutorials in Year One will help you settle in quickly and to make the jump to university-level study.
Your future career
Career development is seen as a major part of the curriculum. Key transferable skills are emphasised and there are opportunities to develop links with organisations and potential employers. As a result we have an outstanding record of graduate employment.
Recent graduates have gone onto work in a range of organisations including the United Nations, UK government departments, international aid agencies, the private sector and a wide range of non-governmental organisations.
Although this course does not offer a formal placement, all of our courses are vocationally focused and will help you to develop a broad range of transferable skills.
You can apply for this course through the UCAS website.
Find out more about applying for an undergraduate course at NTU.
