International Studies with Spanish

Description

An important feature of the modern world which is widely recognised and commented upon by business people, journalists, politicians, diplomats, teachers and virtually anyone with the alertness to look about them, is its increasing inter-dependence and internationalisation. Your ability to read this message on the World Wide Web is itself a manifestation of the power of ideas to transcend national boundaries with great rapidity and at low cost. Technology has proved to be an agent which encourages co-operation across national boundaries. Technological developments in transport, telecommunications and computing have encouraged economic changes such as the decline in barriers to trade, the internationalisation of financial markets, the rise of global companies, and a massive increase in the volume of international trade in goods and services. These trends have been accompanied by political developments such as the rise of regional trading groupings of countries, international efforts to agree about common legal and technical rules to govern business dealings, arguments about tax competition between countries, as well as increasing concern about the environmental consequences associated with world economic development. Enormous social tensions arise as these international forces come into conflict with long established ways of doing things in every country. Political and social systems are in a continuous process of adjustment to an increasingly open world.

The International Studies programme at Buckingham gives you an opportunity to learn about these fundamental problems. With students coming to Buckingham from over 80 countries, it is an ideal environment to learn about matters of international concern and to discuss them with people from differing cultural backgrounds. The programme is inter-disciplinary and covers economic, political, legal, historical and cultural dimensions. Graduates from the International Studies programme will have acquired a knowledge of economics sufficient to analyse and understand the global marketplace; a familiarity with political systems in a range of different countries; and a good historical understanding of how the international framework has evolved over time.

Students wishing to pursue careers in the media, journalism, international business, politics, diplomacy or education should find the programme very attractive for their first degree. Many students following an International Studies degree programme will be aiming to work in an international environment where the knowledge of several languages is expected. Some may wish to acquire language skills in order better to understand particular regional political and economic developments. The Department therefore offers programmes in which students can take a language along with an International Studies major. The major comprises the main politics, international relations and history components of International Studies.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 11970 Year (EEA)
• EUR 19733 Year (Non-EEA)

July: UK/EU: Year one: £9,610; Year two: £9,800; International: Year one £15,680; Year two £16,000 September: UK/EU Y1, Y2 £11,250; International Y1 £15,840; Y2 £16,000 January: UK/EU £11,250; International £16,000

• English

Course Content

The Department employs a variety of teaching methods in different modules. Lectures and small group tutorials form the backbone of the teaching. Personal contact with members of the academic staff is considered to be essential if each students personal enthusiasm for their studies is to be stimulated. A range of activities is pursued within the tutorial groups depending upon the module. Some modules emphasise problem solving as a means of reinforcing and cementing the important ideas for example the module in Microeconomic Theory. Occasionally we use game playing to encourage discussion and understanding for example when competing groups of students try to control a computer model of the economy in Principles of Macroeconomics. Other modules place greater emphasis on writing short and accurate technical pieces (Welfare Economics) or longer more discursive papers.

Course Options

The International Studies major component of the course comprises of a combinations of the following subjects:

• European Industrial Revolutions
• Government and Politics of the UK and the US
• Western European Political Systems
• Liberalism and Nationalism
• Rivalries and Alliances 1879-1914
• The European Union in the International System
• Intervention, Free Trade and Protection
• Contemporary Political Theory
• Politics of Culture and Identity
• International Law
• Theories of Empire and India
• Politics of Latin America
• Africa and the Dominions
• International Organisations
• The Rise of the Dictators
• The Bipolar World 1945-1975
• Social Theory and Social Welfare
• The New International Society 1975-2005
• International Relations: Theories and Concepts
• Appeasement and War

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 60(Grade C) TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test : 79

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

A-level: BBB

English language requirements

• IELTS: Average of 6.0 (with 5.5 or above in each component)
• TOEFL: (Internet-based) 79-80
• TOEFL: (Paper-based) 550
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): C or higher
• International GCSE English as a Second Language: C or higher on extended curriculum
• London University GCE O level Syllabus B in English Language: C or higher
• Oxford-ARELS Examination Higher Level: Credit or Distinction
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 50-57

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Buckingham.

Funding

Bursaries and scholarships can be a great way of financing your studies, and enabling you to achieve your potential. If you win a scholarship, you receive a discount on your fees and, most important, a scholarship on your CV will make you stand out to future employers.

How many bursaries and scholarships are available?

A number of scholarships and bursaries are awarded annually by the University which vary from partial fee to full-fee awards. These are thanks to the donations received from supporters of the University, including the Audrey Osborn Trust, The Headley Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Brunner Family Trust, RM & D Gregory, Eranda Foundation and John Desborough Memorial Bequest.

Applications are now closed for July and September 2012 applicants. We will be considering January and April 2013 applicants from Monday 17 September, the deadline for submission will be Friday 2 November.

The following Scholarships have specific entry criteria and / or deadlines:

• Sir Ray Tindle Scholarships
• The Paul E H Davis Awards Deadline for applications: 31 October 2012 for Exhibitions & flexible for Research Scholarship.

Entry requirements & procedure

It is the Universitys policy to ensure that bursaries and scholarships are awarded to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to benefit from a University education. In the case of some scholarships, at the request of the donor, academic merit will also be taken into consideration.

All awards are subject to your meeting the Universitys academic entry requirements and abiding by the rules and regulations. To be eligible to apply for a scholarship you will need to have been offered a place to study at Buckingham. In the case of UCAS applications, if you are made an award you will need to select Buckingham as your firm acceptance choice.

Please note: these awards are made to new students only, current students are not eligible to apply.