This programme is designed to provide students with a detailed and broad understanding of the theory and practice of international politics.

The minimum requirements for entry for Level 1 entry is 240 UCAS tariff points from: A/AS level (Including 2 A2 passes), GNVQ, AVCE, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate. European Baccalaureate, BTEC / SCOTEC Diploma, Relevant Access Course. Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered.

We also welcome applicants from mature students who do not have formal qualifications but may have relevant experience. Students applying to this programme will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in this area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with the subject. Applicants may be invited for interview.

Overseas Qualifications

The number of overseas qualifications which are accepted for entry are too numerous to list, but you can get advice from the British Council or our admissions unit on 020 8223 2835. You must be able to understand and express yourself in both written and spoken English and some evidence e.g. For level 1 entry a TOEFL score of 550 or an IELTS score of 6.0 (no skill level below 5) and for Level 0 entry an IELTS score of 5.5 (no skill level below 5) would be required.

• engage with key issues of contemporary debate in the field of domestic and international politics
• give students the skills in developing and executing projects of relevance to a range of occupations in the fields of politics and policy making
• to acquire a range of methodological skills
• to empower students to become effective participants in politics

Knowledge and understanding

• Theoretical and conceptual approaches from the disciplines of politics and international relations
• The way these conceptions concretise themselves in political and legal institutions and their associated practices
• How national, local and international political and legal institutions are structured and their associated practices
• How policy makers, activists and 'ordinary people' have contested and disputed contemporary issues

'Thinking skills

• An insight into how politics can provide some useful tools to understand the theory and practice of policy making at a national and an international level;
• An ability to select relevant data to understand political issues;
• An ability to assess political behaviour to understand its links to the social-economic framework;
• An ability to subject the debates, concepts and approaches to politics to critical analysis

Subject-Based Practical skills

• To gain an appreciation of the contribution of politics to understanding the diversity and complexity of democracy and citizenship;
• To be able to collect and analyse data to study political issues;
• To use the world wide web and other online data retrieval systems to gain information relevant to a study of politics.

Skills for life and work

• The presentation of data and production of reports - orally, visually, in writing and virtually;
• To work with groups of people;
• Management of time, workloads and data;
• Web based skills
• Options in work-based learning and professional development to enhance employability

The expected duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode or 4.5 years in part-time mode. It is possible to move from a full-time mode of study to a part-time mode of study and vice-versa, to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.

The teaching normally year begins in September and ends in June. It is possible however to commence your study in semester B (February) rather than September. A student, normally registering for 6 modules in one year (3 modules in each Semester) would do so in a full-time attendance mode of study and a student registering for up to 4 modules in one year (2 modules in each Semester) would do so in part-time attendance mode of study.

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A typical full-time student will take six 20 credit modules per year. An honours degree student will complete six modules at level one, six at level 2 and six at level 3.
It is possible to bring together modules from one subject with modules from another to produce a combined programme. Subjects are offered in a variety of combinations:

• Single - 120 credits at levels one, two and three
• Major - 80 credits at levels one, two and three
• Joint - 60 credits at levels one, two and three
• Minor - 40 credits at levels one, two and three

Modules are defined as:

• Core - Must be taken
• Option - Select from a range of identified modules within the field
• University wide option - Select from a wide range of modules across the University

In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 30 0 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher
In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.

Knowledge and understanding is developed through

• Integrated lecture and seminar
• Private study to prepare for seminar discussion and presentations
• Private study to prepare for project and essay writing

'Thinking' skills are developed through

• Structure discussion in seminars
• Linking of conceptual and empirical work in each module
• Structuring essays and other written assignments, responding to exam questions

Practical skills are developed through

• Researching presentations, projects and dissertations;
• Undertaking data collection and analysis;
• Group work

General skills are developed through

• Presentations;
• Work placements;
• Participating in the group life of the programme i.e. being a programme representative on the programme committee

Knowledge is assessed by

• Summaries of assigned reading
• Presentations
• Essays
• Exams

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Seminar discussions
• Argument structure is essays, presentations
• Responding to exam questions

Practical skills are assessed by

• Library and internet searches
• Preparing presentations
• Managing workload and programme work deadlines

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Presentations
• Use of IT in teaching and assessment