International Relations and European Studies, BA (Hons)

Choosing to study a joint honours degree will enable you to shape your study according to your strengths, interests and career ambitions. Combining two subjects can give your degree an international or industry perspective that will make you stand out in the graduate employment market. Why choose this course?

You will benefit from the following learning opportunities.

International Relations
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.

European Studies
This course provides an understanding of the broad historical, social, political and cultural forces that have shaped contemporary Europe. Unique to this course is the opportunity to specialise in European Cultural Studies, European Cinema, or European Politics and Society. You can also select a variety of modules across these three subject areas.

In the first year you will be introduced to European studies by examining the historical, geographical, political and cultural meanings of Europe. You will engage with debates such as:

• Where is Europe?
• Is there a common European culture?
• How has the idea of Europe changed over time and in relation to a series of others such as Islam or the United States?

European Studies staff are active researchers, whose teaching is closely related to their area of expertise. Our current strengths include:

• politics
• social movements
• gender
• cinema
• European thought
• literature.

European Studies makes an ideal companion to our range of European Language courses.

Joint Honours
You can combine either of these subjects with another subject to create your degree programme. Not sure which subjects to choose? Don't worry as the joint honours curriculum enables students to switch subjects after Year One depending on which core modules they have completed. To see the full range of combinations and their UCAS codes see:

• International Relations Joint Honours
• European Studies Joint Honours.

Extra opportunities
Our flexible curriculum has been designed to create some amazing opportunities for students in the School of Arts and Humanities. Your second year of study is divided into two semesters that enable students to take part in optional:

• international exchange
• work placements
• learn or improve language skills.

Gain valuable work experience that will impress employers, learn another language, experience other cultures and travel the globe - all as part of your degree. Our international exchange partners include universities in Australia, Europe, USA, Canada and Thailand.

Find out more on an Open Day.

When does this course start?

Please see the academic calendar for term dates.

What will I study?

Find out everything you need to know about what you'll be studying on this course. Detailed module information is available here:

• International relations Joint Honours
• European Studies Joint Honours.

Year Two - extra opportunities

Our flexible curriculum has been designed to create some amazing opportunities for you. Your second year of study is divided into two semesters that enables you to take part in the following optional opportunities:

• International exchange - Experience other cultures, travel the globe and open your eyes to a world of opportunities. Our exchange partnership with a number of international universities enables you to live and study in another country in your second year. Watch our video to find out more.
• Work placements - Gain valuable work experience that will impress employers and help you get ahead in your chosen career. Boost your employability by taking a credit-bearing work placement as part of your degree rather than a sandwich year.
• University Language Programme - Available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have.

How will I learn?

Each year students choose a range of core and optional modules from the lists above. The first year is normally divided equally between the two joint honours subjects but at the end of Year One, students have the opportunity to select between an equally weighted joint honours course and a more specialised pathway depending on their interests.

Teaching principally takes place through a combination of:

• lectures (where tutors introduce the key ideas)
• seminars (organised on the basis of smaller group discussion of those ideas).

Contact hours

Staff will also generally offer office hours, where you can sign up to see them in small groups or on a one-to-one basis, perhaps to discuss an essay plan or to seek some specific academic guidance.

It is the nature of the subjects offered in the School of Arts and Humanities, however, that much of your time will be spent engaged in independent study. We recognise that this marks a change of culture from school or college, and we have in place a system of study support to help you adapt to this.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change