International Relations Joint Honours

Description

You do not have to look too far to find examples of how international relations impinge on our everyday lives. For example, international conventions on human rights or environmental issues increasingly shape domestic legislation in individual countries, while the prospect of military intervention in specific regions can have an adverse impact on the global economy that reverberates around the world.

This degree addresses a wide range of problems and concerns that have a global dimension or impact, and which require international co-operation if they are to be resolved or managed effectively. While International Relations is a distinct academic discipline, it is by its nature interdisciplinary, requiring you to acquire some knowledge of politics, history, geography, economics and law.

• Our graduates enter a variety of careers in international and non-governmental organisations, teaching, the media, the Civil Service and business, as well as pursuing further postgraduate study.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 3844 Year (EEA)
• EUR 12916 Year (Non-EEA)

UK / EU students £3,375 International students £11,340

• English

Course Content

First year: You receive a thorough grounding in the study of international relations, with particular emphasis on the major approaches to the discipline and core issues such as conflict, war, peace, security, international and regional organisations, and international law. You also take a number of complementary courses in the Department of Political Science and International Studies, and options offered elsewhere.

Second year: The second-year core course further develops your understanding of the discipline, introducing many new perspectives on international relations. As such, it is designed to develop your knowledge and theoretical understanding of this dynamic and changing field. In the second year you can also take a number of related courses within the Department of Political Science and International Studies.

Final year: In the third final year you may take a range of options. These include: Power in Britain; Twentieth Century Political Thought; Political Economy of the EU; Contemporary US Foreign and Security Policy; International Ethics; Contemporary IPE; Topics in British Politics; Poverty, Welfare and the State; Modern European Political Thought; European Security; Critical Security Studies; International Organisations; Advanced Modern Asia; and War-torn States and Post-conflict Reconstruction in the South.

Modules in the first year

This year consists of introductory modules in international studies and your chosen language. You either continue to study a language in which you have an A level or, in some cases, you can begin a new language. In addition, there is the opportunity to take one optional course.

Compulsory core modules

• 20 credits - Foundations of Politics
• 20 credits - Introduction to Methods (I)
• 20 credits - Introduction to International Relations

The following are compulsory for students who do not have A Level Russian:

• 20 credits - Core Russian Language (1B) A
• 20 credits - Core Russian Language (1B) B

The following are compulsory for students who have A Level Russian:

• 20 credits - Core Russian Language 1A
• 20 credits - Core Russian Language 1B

Optional modules

Choose 20 credits from the following list:

• 10 credits - Twentieth Century Russian Politics A
• 10 credits - Twentieth Century Russian Politics B

Or

• 10 credits - Twentieth Century Russian Novel A
• 10 credits - Twentieth Century Russian Novel B

Or

• 10 credits - Outline Russian History to 1890 A
• 10 credits - Outline Russian History to 1890 B

Modules must total 120 credits

Modules in the second year

The second year is designed to permit specialisation in areas of particular interest while deepening your language skills.

Compulsory core modules

• 20 credits - Methods (II)
• 20 credits - International Political Economy
• 20 credits - International Relations Theory

If you have A Level Russian, the following must be taken:

• 20 credits - Core Russian Language 2A (A)
• 20 credits - Core Russian Language 2A (B)

If you do not have A Level Russian, the following must be taken:

• 20 credits - Core Russian Language 2B (A)
• 20 credits - Core Russian Language 2B (B)

Optional modules

Choose 40 credits from the following linked modules

OR: Choose 20 credits from Modules outside the main discipline. Any module not listed above but is available in the Department or as an Modules outside the main discipline will need approval from POLSIS.

• 20 credits - International Politics and Security in Russia and Eurasia
• 10 credits - Cultural Politics of Russia and East Europe A
  10 credits - Cultural Politics of Russia and East Europe B
• 10 credits - Contemporary Russian and East European Politics A
  10 credits - Contemporary Russian and East European Politics B
• 10 credits - Russia in Revolution, 1990-1938 A
  10 credits - Russia in Revolution, 1990-1938 B
• 10 credits - Twentieth Century Russian Novel A
  10 credits - Twentieth Century Russian Novel B
• 20 credits - European Societies: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
• 20 credits - Russian Political and Intellectual Thought from 1950 to 1989
• 20 credits - Beginners Polish

Choose 20 credits from the following modules: Where modules are linked, both elements must be chosen

• 20 credits - Comparative European Government
• 20 credits - International Political Economy
• 20 credits - Institutions, Politics and Policies of the EU
• 20 credits - British Politics
• 20 credits - Modern Political Ideologies
• 20 credits - International Politics of East Asia
• 20 credits - The American Presidency A
• 20 credits - International Security A
• 20 credits - Political Economy of EU Enlargement
• 20 credits - Politics and Policy
• 20 credits - Public Choice Theory

Modules must total 120 credits

Modules in the third year

Compulsory core modules

• 60 credits - Russian Year Abroad (120 Credits) A
• 60 credits - Russian Year Abroad (120 credits) B

Modules in the final year

When you return to Birmingham for your fourth year you study advanced courses in your language and in international affairs.

Compulsory core modules

• 10 credits - Core Russian Language 4 A
• 10 credits - Core Russian Language 4 B

Choose either the POLSIS or CREES dissertation or the CREES extended essay

• 40 credits - POLSIS Dissertation

Or

• 20 credits - CREES Dissertation A Level 3
• 20 credits - CREES Dissertation B Level 3

Or

• 10 credits - Russian and East European Studies: Extended Essay A
• 10 credits - Russian and East European Studies: Extended Essay B

Optional modules

Choose courses totalling 60 credits from the following LINKED modules

OR: Choose 40 credits from the above section plus 20 credits from Modules outside the main discipline. Any module not listed above but is available in the Department or as an Modules outside the main discipline will need approval from POLSIS.

Options in the CREES department - make sure you are taking a total of 60 credits in the ERI (ie if you are taking the ERI dissertation no module options are available from ERI)

• 10 credits - Russian Economy from Plan to Market (A)
  10 credits - Russian Economy from Plan to Market (B)
• 20 credits - Russian Political and Intellectual Thought from 1950 to 1989
• 10 credits - Ukrainian (A)
  10 credits - Ukrainian (B)
• 20 credits - Business Russian
• 20 credits - Visual Culture and the Mass Media
• 20 credits - Beginners Polish
• 20 credits - Polish (Intermediate)
• 20 credits - Advanced Contemporary Russian and East European Politics
• 20 credits - Advanced International Politics and Security in Russia and Eurasia
• 10 credits - Advanced Cultural Politics of Russian and Eastern Europe A
  10 credits - Advanced Cultural Politics of Russian and Eastern Europe B
• 10 credits - Political History of Central and Eastern Europe in the 20th C. A
  10 credits - Returning to Europe: Nation, State and Europe in Post-Communist Central and Eastern Europe B

Options in POLSIS - make sure you are taking a total of 60 credits in POLSIS (ie if you are taking the POLSIS dissertation only choose 20 credits below)

• 20 credits - Power in Britain
• 20 credits - Contemporary US Foreign and Security Policy
• 20 credits - International Ethics
• 20 credits - Contemporary IPE
• 20 credits - Topics in British Politics
• 20 credits - Modern European Political Thought
• 20 credits - Poverty and Welfare in the State
• 20 credits - European Security
• 20 credits - Democracy and Democratisation in Contemporary Europe
• 20 credits - International Organisations
• 20 credits - War Torn States and Post-Conflict Reconstruction in the South
• 20 credits - Critical approaches to Security
• 20 credits - Advanced Modern Asia
• 20 credits - British Media and Politics
• 20 credits - Immigration and Citizenship in Western Europe
• 20 credits - Devolution, Territorial Politics and Multilevel Governance
• 20 credits - Europe in a Globalised World
• 20 credits - Politics and Sport
• 20 credits - Left parties and Protect Movements
• 20 credits - Diplomatic History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict
• 20 credits - The Political Economy of Germany in a European Context
• 20 credits - Gender in World Politics

Modules must total 120 credits

English Language Requirements

CAE score : 80(Grade A)

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

Requirements

This degree is taught by the Centre for Russian and East European Studies for further information about the department please visit:www.crees.bham.ac.uk

• Number of A levels required: 3
• Minimum tariff points: 300
• Typical offer: ABB - BBB
• General Studies: accepted
• Required subjects and grades: a modern language or Latin at GCSE grade B minimum
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 32 - 34 points
• Standard English language requirements apply. For further information you can find information about qualifications from your country or region
• Other qualifications are considered: Students with other qualifications are advised to speak to Undergraduate admissions.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

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• 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 Birmingham.