BA in International Relations and Politics
Queen's University Belfast - Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 18,800 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* England, Scotland or Wales: £9,250 | Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: £4,710 | EU Other and International: £18,800
Introduction
The Joint Honours Programme in International Relations and Politics will provide you with an in-depth, interdisciplinary understanding of contemporary politics, international affairs and conflict situations in their political, historical, cultural, economic and legal dimensions. Dedicated modules will introduce you to core concepts and debates in International Relations and the study of conflict, as well as to the particular European experience of regional integration. You will acquire familiarity with the experiences of differing national polities and societies, facilitating the development of culturally sensitive cross-national comparisons.
International Relations at Queen’s is about more than just armed conflict and insurgency. It also examines such trends as globalisation and considers the challenge from the rise of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the process of European integration, humanitarian issues (such as poverty, development and refugees), and the role of the media in conflict.
The academic study of politics is concerned with the sources of conflict, cooperation, power and decision-making within and between societies, how differences are expressed through ideology and organisation, and how, if at all, disagreements and problems are resolved. We look at conflict, cooperation and its origins, dynamics and trajectories, at theories of society, at the value and ethical basis of political ideas and action, and at politics in different national and historical contexts.
Global Opportunities
All students within this degree programme will have the possibility of opting to study for a semester abroad in their third year at an English-speaking university in mainland Europe.
There is also a possibility for some to spend an additional year in the United States under the Study USA programme.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- Professor John Garry is an internationally recognised expert in the areas of citizens’ political attitudes and voting behaviour. His research has informed governments both in Belfast and Dublin on offering ordinary citizens the chance to have greater input on policymaking.
- Professor Beverley Milton Edwards has advised various governments in her role as an expert on the Middle East and is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Brooking Institution.
- Professor David Phinnemore is an expert on EU Treaty reform and EU enlargement, which led to his secondment as an advisor to the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Modules often draw on international comparisons with a strong Irish (North and South) emphasis.
Stage 1
You will be introduced to the study of politics, politics and the media, the state of world politics, international history and contemporary Europe.
Compulsory modules:
- Comparative Politics
- Perspectives on Politics
- Contemporary Europe
- World Politics
- Issues in Contemporary Politics
Stage 1 Optional Courses
Students may take two other courses offered within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Stage 2
In their second year, students focus on the political, economic and social transformations of the 20th century and beyond and will be able to advance their conceptual understanding of the field of international relations and conflict.
Compulsory
- International Relations
- Studying Politics
Optional
- Security and Terrorism
- Apocalypse! The End of the World
- The Northern Ireland Conflict and paths to Peace
- Identity Politics in Diverse Societies
- Peace and Conflict Studies
- Politics and Policy of the European Union
- Modern Political Thought
- The Politics of Deeply Divided
- International Organisations
- British politics in crisis?
- American Politics
- Irish Politics
Stage 3
In your final year, you can select more specific areas and specialist-based courses on, for example, US foreign policy, migration, the Far Right, politics of the global economy, and modules on identity politics, international ethics, war and visual culture, conflict and conflict resolution.
Year 3 modules:
- Dissertation (Politics and International Studies)
- Internship
- Politics of Irish Literature
- Earth, Energy, Ethics and Economy
- The Politics of the Global Economy
- The Global Political Economy of Energy
- Gender and Politics
- Arms Control
- Northern Ireland: A Case Study
- Asylum and Migration in Global Politics
- National and Ethnic Minorities in European Politics
- US Foreign Policy
- The Far Right in Western Europe and North America
- Security and Technology
- War and Visual Culture
- Contemporary Political Philosophy
- Contemporary Critical Theory
- Politics, Public Administration and Policy Makings
- The Politics of Irish Literature
- Middle Eastern Politics
- Challenges to Contemporary Party Politics
- Political Parties and Elections in N. Ireland
- Security and Technology
Note: Modules at Stages 2 and 3 are subject to change based on availability.
Rankings
Queen’s is ranked in the top 75 universities in Europe for Teaching Excellent (Times Higher Education, 2019)
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Industry Links
Placement:
Unique to the BA Politics programme is the opportunity in the final year to undertake a part-time placement within a local organisation to gain direct experience in policy-making and political decision-making.
Past students have gained work placements with organisations such as the following:
- BBC
- Mencap
- Northern Ireland Electoral Commission
- Northern Ireland Local Government Association
- Northern Ireland political parties
- Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments
- Police Ombudsman‘s Office
- The North/South Ministerial Council
- Stratagem
- Women's Aid
Internship:
Students in their final year have the opportunity to secure a semester-long internship, giving them hands-on experience with political issues and policy-making.
Close links with employers.
Studying for a degree in Politics and International Relations at Queen's will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree at Queen's are well regarded by local, national and international employers, and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including Politics and International Relations. Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in the public and voluntary/community sectors, significant numbers develop careers in the private sector, working in industries from management consultancy to law and journalism.
Employment after the Course
Recent graduates have found employment:
- In government and civil service
- As researchers
- As mediators/negotiators
- In public affairs and/or public relations
- In media, journalism, and communications
- Conducting advocacy
- In marketing
- In teaching
Professional Opportunities
Skills to enhance employability
We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers, including NI government departments and the North/South Ministerial Council, who provide sponsorship for our internships. In addition, the School offers a range of employment placements where students can gain real-world work experience, which is invaluable in terms of employment after graduation.
Given that Belfast is a regional capital with devolved powers, we can offer students placements in the high-profile political and related institutions on our doorstep - for example, the Department of Justice, Equality Commission, and Police Ombudsman’s Office, or BBC Northern Ireland.
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's, you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.