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Politics and International Relations BA (Hons)

Start date

  • Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
  • Typical Offer: 104 - 112 UCAS tariff points
  • UCAS Code(s): L240; L241
  • Start Date(s): September 2024
  • Duration: Three years full-time / Four years placement
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
  • Campus: City Campus
Information for 2024

Introduction:

Our world is a complex, contradictory place. In many ways, we’re broader minded and better connected than ever before; in others, the impact of war, disease, intolerance and instability threatens to undermine our progress. With divisive, post-factual ‘truths’ continuing to infiltrate the news, it’s often hard to know what’s really happening — but we’ll give you the critical skills to hear through that noise.

Emphasising the interplay between leadership, communication, and creativity,we’ve combined the insights of our separate politics and international relations courses into one exciting, interdisciplinary degree. The core modules give you the theoretical rudiments, while the electives offer you the chance to specialise in the debates and issues that interest you the most. The focus throughout is on applied skill: you can work with local activist groups, complete a placement, design and trial your own campaign proposals, and debate the biggest issues with NTU’s Politics and International Relations Society.

The change you want to see starts here, with you. Studying with us, you’ll learn to identify and diffuse conflict. You’ll develop as a leader, an effective communicator, and someone who can formulate and pitch ideas with creativity and confidence. You’ll thrive, you’ll grow, and you’ll inspire — whether that’s as an MP, a diplomat, a lobbyist, a community leader, a security analyst, or any of the other roles this highly versatile degree lends itself to.

  • Work on real-world collaborations, projects and simulations on topics which matter to you and develop core skills such as digital literacies and data visualization throughout.
  • Study in the heart of the vibrant and multicultural city of Nottingham, with a proud political history steeped in community activism.
  • You will have the opportunity to undertake an optional year-long placement and/or study abroad in your second year, with one of our international partners across the world.
  • Learn a language as part of your degree with optional modules in your second and final year. Choosing between Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish, a new world of opportunities will open for you with beginner to advanced classes

Why politics and international relations — and why NTU?

  • Our friendly and approachable team has a wealth of teaching and research experience. In an environment where Monday’s brand-new research paper can be the basis of Friday’s lecture, their expertise will guide and refine your studies.
  • Politics and international relations is a game. You’ll learn its rules and roles through exciting, hands-on assignments — from infographic design, CV-smashing placements, simulations and roleplaying, to real-world collaborations with partner agencies like Nottingham Citizens.
  • We’re big on personalisation. This is customisable study on your terms — from the inspiring range of modules and course pathways, to life-changing study-abroad opportunities, right through to the innovative ways you’re assessed.
  • The transferrable skills from this degree will rule you in for everything, and out of nothing. Knowledge aside, you’ll develop the confidence of a professional public speaker; the research talents of a top-class analyst; the leadership skills of a campaign strategist; and plenty more.

What you’ll study

This degree is for the politically curious, the global visionaries, and the change-makers. With a blend of rigorous theory and exciting, hands-on practice, we’ll nurture you as an academic, a critic, a socially and politically conscious citizen, and — most importantly of all — a person. At NTU, we dare you to be different: to show the intellectual courage, independence and adaptability that’ll guide your future career.

Our politics and international relations course unpacks the big and the small, the local and the global, the remarkable and the everyday. Explore the nature of international relationships, and how those relationships can influence things like economic and foreign policy, laws, human rights, security, and governance; assess the political factors that determine elections and leadership contests; examine the economics of daily life, whether that’s the lifecycle of a single cup of coffee, or how (and why) a particular mobile phone ends up in your hand. Through our fascinating range of optional modules, you can take a deep dive into everything from pandemics, poverty, climate change, security, and Brexit, to worldwide migration trends, instability in the European project, the politicisation of everyday life, and the emerging political powers in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. It’s your course, and your call.

We’ll be encouraging you to look at the world differently, through more informed, balanced, and critically aware eyes. We’ll be asking you to explore and assess your own values and beliefs — to make the familiar unfamiliar.

Here’s a breakdown of the core and optional modules you’ll be studying across your course:

Year one modules are designed to provide you with the foundations of your discipline. Whilst some (but not all) of you may have studied ‘politics’, this almost certainly won’t be the case with ‘international relations’, so year one will give you the tools for moving on up.

Core modules

Study and Research Skills

Concerned about how assessments will be different at Uni? About how to reference? How to think critically? Or, perhaps, you want to brush-up on writing or presenting skills? With those and other related issues in mind, drawing on the expertise of our Student Study support team, this module has been designed specifically for you to hone, develop, and master the skills necessary for getting the most out of the three years of your course: and beyond.

Politics and International Relations in Practice

It’s never too early to start thinking about how you want to use your degree in the future. Begin to build your careers skillset by taking part in direct, hands-on experiential learning. The module is designed to include a unique combination of in-class exercises – aimed to build professional skills and confidence, such as problem solving, teamworking, and clear communication – and for you to engage, accumulate and reflect upon a range of relevant, extracurricular ‘practice hours’ suited and aligned to your own future aspirations.

Politics

Love it or loathe it, there is no avoiding politics. Many are turned off by simply hearing the word, and yet, as this module will reveal there is more to the discipline than meets the eye. You will explore its key traditions, concepts, thinkers, and ideologies. Thinking creatively and developing digital literacies throughout, you will gain an understanding not only of the academic discipline but also the tools for interpreting ongoing debates in contemporary society.

An Introduction to International Relations

At this point it’s unlikely that you have studied international relations as a discipline. Not to worry. This module will introduce you to the fundamentals, including its historical emergence in the early 20th century, the core theories which will help you analyse and interpret current and future events, the relationships between states and non-state actors, and the key concepts, processes and continued debates concerning the evolution of the international state system in an ever-globalised world.

Media Power and Truth

In an era where ‘truth’ can be considered as just another opinion, and ‘false news’ undermines democratic institutions, in this module you will explore the interface between media, power, and politics in the UK and beyond. Whilst introducing a range of key concepts, theories, and approaches to political communication throughout, you’ll be encouraged to consider the ongoing impact of the media in both its traditional and modern forms, particularly the political ramifications of its evolving structure, ownership, and technology.

British Politics and Beyond

Familiarise yourself with the institutional, cultural, and economic elements of British politics and government. With key landmark events such as Brexit and COVID-19, the evolution of British politics continues to be a fascinating and crucial area of study. But British politics is not the be all and end all of political systems, you’ll also explore other countries from our continent and beyond and discover the atypical and unusual nature of the British political tradition.

In year two, whilst cementing core skills and experiences and delving deeper into the themes of communication, creativity and building confidence, it’s time to start plotting your own path through the rest of the course.

Core modules include:

Core modules

Social Research

The ability to research, organise, and present information will most likely prove essential for your future. It is also essential for your discipline, and building on the foundations provided in year one, throughout this module you will continue to develop and practice the knowledge and skills required. Key methods explored throughout range from designing questionnaires/surveys, analysing the content and discourses of public and private documents, and the practicalities of designing and conducting interviews and focus groups.

Careers and Experience in Politics and International Relations

Continuing the momentum gained in the year one, Politics and International Relations in Practice module, throughout this module you will push on to gain more knowledge, skills (e.g., creating LinkedIn profiles, CV writing skills, interview techniques, and more), and experience to help prepare you for a range of future, high-skilled careers. Of particular significance here is the opportunity to undertake a 30-hour work-like experience with a relevant organisation of your choosing.

Global Political Marketing

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the organisation, behaviour, and impact of political marketing at both a national and international level. The module examines the marketisation of politics on a range of relevant issues, including political behaviour, party organisation, and voting patterns. Key debates will be considered throughout, relating to targeting and positioning, branding, market research, and the relationship between political marketing and fundamental issues such as trust, democracy, and crisis management.

Options modules - subject to availability - include a selection from the following:

Optional modules

The Politics of Art, Film, and Literature

Even in the darkest moments of humanity, we humans have created works of art which can inspire empathy and understanding across cultures. In this sense, politics isn’t simply about raw power – it can be about hope, passion, and the stories we encounter both today and those we leave for future generations. In this unique module you will discover the great work of art, books, music, and film; identifying their social and political themes and what they tell us about the human condition in a range of global contexts.

Environmental Politics and Policy

Welcome to the ‘Anthropocene’! Critically explore the historical and ongoing impact of human behaviour on the natural world, situating environmental politics through key events from the late 20th century onwards. From the local to the global, explore core debates in environmental ethics and green political thought, whilst studying a wide range of domestic and international policies, processes, treaties, and case studies throughout.

Security Studies

In an increasingly dangerous world humans need to work together to find ways of protecting it. In this module you will explore issues relating to contemporary Security Studies - an increasingly important subdivision within the study of International Relations. This can range to the more familiar emphasis on conflict within and between nation states, including the ever-evolving threats of domestic and international terrorism, to perhaps the slightly less dramatic - but equally worrying - events relating to public and environmental health.

Contemporary European Politics

Europe remains a key player in both UK domestic and international politics, and due to its diverse internal complexity, presents a fascinating case study for comparative politics. Examining a host of European nations from the largest/well-known (e.g., France, Spain) to the smallest/relatively less documented (e.g., Malta, Cyprus) the module explores a range of ongoing political issues, such as the role of government, elections/electoral systems, party systems, voter behaviour and more.

Justice, Ethics, and Democracy

Take a critical and reflexive tour through classical and contemporary Western political thought, exploring the continued relevance of some of its most important concepts and ideas. Along the way you will creatively apply the insights of exciting thinkers - such as Machiavelli, J.S.Mill, and Martha Nussbaum – to contemporary case studies of your choosing, spanning current debates in Politics and International Relations to contemporary film, music, literature, or even TV boxsets.

Understanding Foreign Policy

Whilst crucial for interstate relations, diplomatic encounters and foreign policy decisions are often shrouded in secrecy and mystery. In this module you will develop a unique insight into how diplomats and foreign policy officials make decisions from both a theoretical and practical angle. Using games and simulation exercises throughout, you’ll get the opportunity to put yourself into the shoes of those pulling the strings; as too, developing the skills and know-how for doing so in wider contexts.

Global Politics of Postcolonialism

Critically consider the historical and ongoing legacies of European colonialism, unearthing its impact on the international state system, the global economy, international law, and the foundations of Western ideology in general. Discover a range of non-Western perspectives, helping you to not only see the world differently but inspire you to identify and challenge ongoing, historically inscribed injustices.

Global Political Economy of Everyday Life

Examine the historic links between coffee and slavery in the Caribbean, ‘sports washing’ in the Premier League, the cultural appropriation of global cuisines, illicit economies in drugs and sex, gendered violence and sweatshop labour, the role of crypto currencies, and much more.  You`ll also analyse how powerful multinational corporations and international institutions can manipulate and control governments, the relationship between the global rich and the global poor, and the role of social movements in challenging the status quo.

UK Parliamentary Studies

Gain an in-depth and unique insight into the theory and practice of the UK Parliament. The module address both Houses of Parliament and the contribution both chambers make to scrutiny, policy making and representation, as well as how the relationship between each House operates. You will engage with MPs, Peers, and parliamentary officials during the module to strip away the ermine and oak paneling to really see how the beating heart of our democracy really functions.

Foreign Language

When you learn a new language you not only learn about others’, but you are forced also to reflect on your own. After an initial assessment to determine the most appropriate level of study, the University Language Programme (ULP) offers you an opportunity to gain and develop both general and professionally relevant language skills at a number of levels with the possibility of accredited Unilang certification and/or the award of a Certificate or Diploma in Language Learning.

You may choose to take an optional year-long placement in Year Three, either in the UK or overseas.

You will be supported by our experienced Employability Team to source a suitable placement.

In year three you will take two core modules and choose the rest from another suite of options.

Core modules include:

Core modules

Dissertation

Bring together and reflect upon the academic expertise, interests and experience gained throughout your degree and, guided by a dedicated supervisor and step-by-step workshops throughout, formulate, structure, and complete an 8,000-word research project of your choosing. Alongside the more traditional written dissertation, there is the option to complete a more hands-on project, perhaps by engaging with policy processes in a partner organisation.

Leadership, Activism, and Campaigning

Throughout the last two years you have learnt the art of communication. You’ve been creative, completing assessments on topics and case studies of your choosing. You’ve built a portfolio of activities and skills which should make you confident about your future. The culmination of these experiences is this module, whereby you get the chance to design a campaign/project on something that matters to you; as too, pitch your reflections on the knowledge and skills gained throughout and their potential for life after Uni.

Optional modules

Political Violence and Terror

Since 9/11 the so-called ‘War on Terror’ has dominated global politics, and whilst today it might appear to have taken a back seat to other issues, it continues to exert its influence. Throughout this module you will explore the evolving relationship between terrorism and political violence. Analysing the concept of ‘insecurity’ in a broad sense throughout, you will examine key theoretical approaches as well as a range of real-world cases, illustrating ultimately its increasingly complex use for political means.

Global Politics of Pop Culture

Expand your understanding of ‘politics’ beyond parliaments, parties and politicians to consider the wider power of cultural representations and experiences. From clothes and music to sport and shopping, this module will encourage you to reflect on the ways in which political, economic, social, and cultural power can manifest itself in a range of everyday, subtle, and often quite innocent ways.

Feminist Thought and Praxis

Delve into some of the many branches of feminist thought and core themes in contemporary feminism. The module explores topics such as the relationship between historical and contemporary approaches to feminist theory, its key ideological undercurrents, from its liberal, ‘first wave’ foundations to contemporary, ‘fourth wave’ manifestations, and the application of feminist theory to a range of exciting case studies today.

The International Relations of the Middle East and North Africa

Perhaps no region of the world is more misunderstood than the Middle East and North Africa.  In this module you will take an in-depth look at the political economy of the region against the backdrop of its colonial and post-independence history. You will consider the role of both state and non-state actors, examine a range of contemporary security challenges, and consider the potential and opportunities for inter-state cooperation, as too, future possible scenarios for international relations within the continent.

British Politics in Uncertain Times

Examine the changing nature of British Politics in the context of global issues. You'll gain an understanding of the origins of vital contemporary issues, such as the resurgence of nationalism in Britain, the leaving of the European Union, the financial crisis and its aftermath and many more. These dynamic, changing and highly volatile issues will be reflected through the lens of key actors in the British state, British interests overseas, and the potential end of the British state as we know it.

US Politics and Policy

Following the events on Capitol Hill, in January 2021, there seems no greater time to examine the complex and increasingly fractious politics and government of the USA. Taking into consideration a range of its ongoing historical tensions, the module will critically interrogate US democracy’s most revered actors and institutions, including its Constitution, Congress, the Supreme Court, the role of the President, and specifically, historical evolutions in domestic and foreign policy.

Interpreting Contemporary Politics

This module explores a range of exciting and contemporary political issues relating to both the domestic and international arenas. This might include debates surrounding the promise and perils and Artificial Intelligence, the rise and appeal of conspiracy theories, UK electoral reform, and the politics of music. The module adopts a unique ‘modlet’ approach, offering a three week focus on each topic.

Negotiating in International Contexts

Arguably, politics – whether local, domestic, or global – is about identifying and diffusing the potential for conflict. In this module you will learn and practise the art of negotiation and leadership through combining the academic study of decision-making with model simulation and gaming/role playing exercises. Engagement with the module provides the chance to take part in the annual, EUROSIM competition with teams from other national and international Universities.

Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean in World Politics

Since its inception at the start of the 20th century, whilst mainstream international relations has been dominated by the global north, as you’ll appreciate throughout this module, the axis is surely tipping towards the global south. Throughout the module you will gain an understanding of the political, economic, and social development challenges facing a range of key countries – challenges which at times can spill-over into diverse forms of radical political action that challenge the status quo.

East of the West: Eurasian geopolitics

Whether it be the war between Russia and Ukraine or the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the reverberations from the collapse of the Soviet Union continue to be central to global politics in the twenty-first century. Throughout this module you will gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the region, from the difficult processes of economic liberalisation, the rise of the oligarchs, the ongoing tensions between post-Soviet states, and the rapidly deteriorating relationship between Russian and the West.

The Emerging Powers of Asia

The world is re-orienting: we are entering the Asian Century.  In this module you will analyse and explore the dynamics of this fascinating region, both individually (e.g., the so-called ‘Asian Tiger’ economies) and through key regional players such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Taking into consideration the role of both state and non-state actors you will consider a range of pressing, contemporary issues such as economic, environmental, and/or ethnic conflict, drugs and/or sex trafficking, and the continued evolving threat of terrorism.

Globalisation in Crisis

With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, globalisation was heralded as the key to global freedom, prosperity, and peace. Yet, with the ongoing tensions of ethnic and religious conflict and the unprecedented rise in global poverty, it seems that history spoke too soon. In this module you will explore not only globalisation’s many challenges - such as the rise of nationalist populism in Europe and beyond – but also, through the struggles of social movements and the increasingly cosmopolitan identities of the young, the potential for an alternative model for the future.

Foreign Language

When you learn a new language you not only learn about others’, but you are forced also to reflect on your own. After an initial assessment to determine the most appropriate level of study, the University Language Programme (ULP) offers you an opportunity to gain and develop both general and professionally relevant language skills at a number of levels with the possibility of accredited Unilang certification and/or the award of a Certificate or Diploma in Language Learning.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Isabella van der Borgh

When I came to the open day I was inspired to choose this university due to the wide range of module choices, the additional language options, and the lecturers who spoke at the event.

Amy Manktelow

I came to realise your journey isn’t comparable to someone else’s because it's yours.

Georgia Wayman

Reflecting on my time at NTU, I am grateful for all the opportunities I was given to improve my knowledge, experience, and confidence. These opportunities have been crucial in helping me secure full-time employment post-graduation.

Avina Khakh

Politics and International Relations

Overall, I enjoyed my time on placement and it helped me to gain confidence, improve my networking skills and time-management.

Emmanuella Taiwo

Politics and International Relations

My time at NTU has been great. While being here, I’ve been able to push myself and continuously grow both academically and personally.

Sylwia Kazimierczak

Politics and International Relations

From the variety of courses to choose from to the constant support throughout your time at university, NTU really is a great choice if you are looking to have fun and excel academically.

Qistina Binti Ab Ghani

I am lucky to have made amazing friends and met amazing tutors over the course of my degree and I will definitely cherish them. It made my experience living and studying in foreign country even better.

Franco Fabregas

My experience as an NTU student for the past 3+ years has been amazing! Staff and services provided by NTU are always friendly and willing to help you however they can.

Hear our student stories

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How you’re taught

Our course is characterised by its community — one that’s passionate, friendly, and very diverse. We don’t believe in hierarchies: our staff might be experts and renowned researchers, but they’re more learning partners than teachers, here to encourage debate, creativity, and listening.We work hard to make sure the department feels like home. This is a course where the doors stay open, and everybody knows your name.

Many of our professors and lecturers are NTU graduates themselves. After completing this course, they became nationally respected specialists in international relations, political science and theory, public and foreign policy, the global political economy, environmental policy, and much, much more. These are the people the media turns to when insights and opinions are needed; the same people whose teaching and research is pushing the boundaries. You’ll also be hearing from a range of prestigious guest speakers throughout the course, including MPs and local councillors.

You’ll be learning through active collaborative workshops, small group seminars, interactive lectures, personalised tutorials, and your own independent study. Visit us on an NTU open day and we’ll tell you more about what these sessions look like, and how they work.

It isn’t just the range of modules and content that distinguish this course — it’s the way you’re assessed, too. We know that success isn’t a one-size arrangement, and we’re constantly adapting and innovating to ensure that every type of learner is accommodated. Alongside the more traditional elements like essays and your final-year dissertation, you’ll get the chance to demonstrate your skills through board games, campaigning and media strategy, simulations, infographic design, posters, case studies, presentations, and even TikToks!

Generally speaking, your ‘contact hours’ across the course will break down as follows:

  • Year One — lectures / seminars / workshops (23%), independent study (77%)
  • Year Two — lectures / seminars / workshops (24%), independent study (76%)
  • Year Three — lectures / seminars / workshops (19%), independent study (81%)

Personal tutorials

Central to the BA Politics and International Relations is its personal tutorial system, whereby you can expect a tailored blend of one-to-one and/or group personal tutorial sessions with a dedicated tutor who will remain with you throughout your three years of study. At these sessions you will have the opportunity to:

  • discuss and reflect closely on your feedback and progression.
  • ask questions and/or seek clarification on issues relating to your course.
  • raise any difficulties you might be experiencing relating to your work, personal or university experience.

Independent study

One of the main challenges of the transition into higher education is the amount of independent study you are expected to conduct. BA Politics has been designed to help you adjust to this process by decreasing scheduled contact hours as you develop the necessary skills for managing your time/workload progressively over the three years. You will still have regular contact with your tutors and fellow students, and all module leaders have dedicated advice and guidance hours where you can drop by for a chat.

Virtual learning environment

Throughout the course you will use NTU’s online workspace NOW, a flexible web-based system that provides you with 24-hour access to all information relating to your course/modules, such as lecture materials, seminar tasks, assessment information, reading lists, and much more.

You will also have free, downloadable access to Office 365, with access to all the major apps and platforms which will likely be used throughout the duration of the course, including OneDrive, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Teams.

Learning from experts

Throughout your course you will be taught by a friendly and enthusiastic research-active team who have specialist knowledge in a range of fields within to the discipline of politics including political science, political theory/philosophy, comparative politics, public policy, global political economy, foreign policy, environmental ethics/politics/policy, as well as specialist regions including South Asia, Africa, Northeast Asia, and the Middle East.

Many of the team appear regularly in the media and publish their research widely in a range of high-quality academic presses, as well as working closely with the Trent Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) – an institutional community of practice which encourages and supports innovative practice and emerging themes in learning and teaching.

In addition to the types of learning and teaching discussed above, you’ll also hear and learn from renowned experts and practitioners (e.g., MPs and local councillors) in related fields who are regularly invited to come and talk to our students.

Study abroad opportunities

You may have the opportunity to spend half of your second year studying abroad with the Study Abroad exchange scheme. There are many benefits to studying abroad – not only will it help expand your CV and gain a new perspective on your subject, but it will also allow you to grow your independence and experience a new culture.

All of our exchange partners offer modules taught in English, including our European partners, so foreign language skills are not essential.

Learn a new language

Alongside studying the BA Politics and International Relations you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of either learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have.

Find out more about the University Language Programme.

How will I be assessed?

The BA Politics and International Relations course has been designed to provide a broad, varied, and consistent range of assessments to ensure a fair and balanced representation of the skills and knowledge you gain throughout.

Study Skills sessions – including advice on academic essay planning/writing/editing and referencing – are embedded into the course early and further, continual support is available throughout your degree.

Throughout your three years, each module will include both formative (i.e., non-bearing feedback, designed to help you improve in the future) and summative (i.e., bearing feedback which is then translated into overall grades) forms, which might include academic essays, case studies and reports, to individual/group presentations, policy briefs, simulation exercises, strategic communications plans, and infographic factsheets.

Assessments are submitted online, via NOW, and in response to student feedback, you can expect to receive feedback on your work within 15 working days of submission.

Contact hours

  • Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (23%), independent study (77%)
  • Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (24%), independent study (76%)
  • Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (19%), independent study (81%)

Staff Profiles

Sahra Joharchi - Principal Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

Dr Sahra Joharchi is a lecturer in International Relations, within the Department of Politics and International Relations at Nottingham Trent University. Her research interests focus on Iranian-Chinese relations and the

Oliver Harrison - Senior Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

Dr Oliver Harrison is a Senior Lecturer in Political Theory in the Department of Social and Political Sciences, Nottingham Trent University.

Dr Antonio Cerella - Senior Lecturer

Social and Political Studies

Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at NTU.

Matt Ashton - Principal Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

Matthew Ashton staff profile

Imad El-Anis - Associate Professor

School of Social Sciences

Dr Imad El-Anis is an Associate Professor in International Relations at Nottingham Trent University’s Department of Social and Political Sciences. He is an expert in the international relations and political…

Jonathan Gorry - Head of Department

School of Social Sciences

Jonathan Gorry is Deputy Head of Department (Principal Lecturer) for the Department of Social and Political Sciences at Nottingham Trent University.

Marianna Poberezhskaya - Associate Professor

School of Social Sciences

Marianna Poberezhskaya is an Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations with teaching responsibilities on the BA (Hons) International Relations, BA (Hons) Politics and BA (Hons) Politics and IR courses.

Eszter Simon - Senior Lecturer

Politics and International Relations

Eszter Simon is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations. Her main research interests are Hungarian foreign and domestic policy, trust in International Relations, the role of the Moscow-Washington hotline in

How you’re assessed

  • Year 1 coursework (50%) and written (50%)
  • Year 2 coursework (77%) and written (23%)
  • Year 3 coursework (83%) and written (17%)

Careers and employability

Your future

The job titles below give an indication of the careers our recent Politics and International Relations graduates have pursued:

  • Communications and Events Officer
  • Marketing Executive
  • Graduate Development Officer
  • Data Analyst
  • Business Development Manager
  • Police Officer
  • European Recruitment Consultant

Your career development

Helping you explore your options and gain the skills, knowledge, experience, and confidence for future careers is central to the course. The BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations course will provide you with a range of subject-specific and key transferable skills. A lot of high-skilled jobs recognise the value of graduates having an openness and understanding of national and international events, institutional processes, and the importance of appreciating social and cultural difference – all of which this course will help you develop.

Subject-specific skills include:

  • Identifying competing interests/pitching ideas to diverse audiences
  • Working to find/negotiating compromise
  • Leadership, entrepreneurship, and ethical awareness.

Key transferable skills include:

  • Fluency in written and verbal communication
  • Time management and resilience
  • Taking the initiative and working as part of a team.

Upon graduation from this course, you will be well placed to apply for a wide range of roles in the public, private and third sector organisations, including:

  • charities, fundraising, the media
  • local/national government
  • the civil service
  • international aid and development agencies (e.g., NGOS and INGOS).
  • police, armed forces, security services.

Our Employability team

We have a dedicated Employability team located on the City Campus who work hand-in-hand with the course team. Once you begin your course you will gain membership and access to NTU’s Matrix accredited employability services. Helping you identify and make the most of the opportunities here on the BA Politics and International Relations course – and NTU more generally – is central to the course, and you’ll continue to receive support after you leave.

Campus and facilities

As a Politics and International Relations student, you will have access to a range of fantastic facilities including:

  • Lecture theatres and teaching classrooms
  • Open access PCs and secure wireless points
  • Study areas and social spaces
  • Boots Library.
  • NTU Print Shop
  • NTSU (Nottingham Trent Students’ Union).
  • Our School of Social Sciences reception, providing you with easy access to our helpful and friendly support staff.

IT resources

Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed widely across the City Campus. PCs are installed with Office 365, providing access to all the major apps and platforms which will likely be used throughout the duration of the course, including OneDrive, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Teams. PCs are also connected to high-speed, online printing services.

Book and library resources

The Boots library is located at the heart of the city campus, directly opposite Chaucer building. If they aren’t already available online via the library’s OneSearch system, here you will find access to many of the academic books and journals related to your course. As an NTU student you will also gain access to a range of other audio-visual catalogues, such as Box of Broadcasts and Kanopy.

The Department of Social and Political Sciences has a dedicated liaison librarian who is available to give you detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources. Alongside other support provided within the School of Social Sciences, the library team offer a wide range of workshops, webinars, and specialist academic support services, both generic and bespoke, ranging from key academic skills such as writing, planning essays, tips for time management, referencing and research skills, and much more.

City location

The location of the City Campus also means that you have easy access to:

  • sports facilities at the NTSU
  • student accommodation
  • NTU cafés
  • the beautiful and historic Arboretum
  • City Centre restaurants, bars and shops.

Entry requirements

  • Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications
  • Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff Points from up to four qualifications

Contextual offers

A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.

Other qualifications and experience

We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.

Meeting our entry requirements

Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

  • 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

English language entry requirements

You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:

Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)

If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:

Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)

You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Fees and funding

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.

Additional Costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.

Library books

Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Field trips

All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.

Placements

If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Print and copy costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.

Travel

Students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel, visa and living costs whilst studying abroad. Travel grants and Erasmus funding may be available to help fund international travel costs. The course will utilise University resources throughout your course such as the Crime Scene House (Clifton Campus), Mock Court Room / Moot Room (City Campus), Video Interview Suite (City Campus). Students will be expected to pay for travel costs if applicable.

Getting in touch

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494

Tuition fees for September 2024 entry

Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government. Visit our fees page for more information.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Living costs

Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:

Paying fees

Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Additional Costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.

Library books

Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Field trips

All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.

Placements

If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Students completing the four year degree may choose to apply for a study abroad option instead of a work placement (or a mixture of study abroad and work placement) during the third year of the course. If successful, students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on study abroad/placement. Travel grants and Erasmus funding may be available to help fund international travel costs.

Print and copy costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.

How to apply

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

Writing your application and personal statement

Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember that we can only make a decision based on what you tell us, so include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.

Your personal statement is a really important part of your application – it’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place. You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!

You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.