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Politics and International Studies BA (L260)
0a

Discover more about our Politics and International Studies degree at Warwick

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2a
L260
2b
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
2c
3 years full-time
2d
26 September 2022
2e
Politics and International Studies
2f
University of Warwick
3a

Does democracy bring greater stability to societies? Why do states use violence? If these questions fascinate you, this degree could be the right fit for you. Learn about politics at a national and international level. Gain valuable skills in theoretical analysis, qualitative and quantitative research, and written and verbal communication.

3b

In this degree, there is an emphasis on the international dimensions of politics. While political theory provides the core of the degree, you can tailor your course to focus on your main interests within International Studies.

You will engage with core questions in political theory and how they apply to situations across the globe. You will confront how power is distributed internationally and evaluate the different ways in which societies organise their political systems. You will explore the ideological roots and gendered and racialised effects of world problems and interrogate the ways in which economic imperatives affect foreign policy.

Your studies will investigate how theoretical assumptions underpin political decisions and explore the concrete issues that are faced by individuals, governments and organisations around the world.

3c

This degree takes place over three years. In each year you study core modules that provide a strong foundation in the academic discipline of Politics and International Studies.

You then have the choice to tailor your degree with optional modules. Optional modules are divided into four specialisms or pathways.

  • Political Theory and Public Policy
  • International Relations and Security
  • Comparative Politics and Democratisation
  • International Political Economy

Pick modules from one pathway to specialise your degree or mix and match across different pathways to suit your interests.

Lectures and seminars take place for 25 weeks during the academic year. The last 5 weeks are dedicated to final examinations.

3d

Lectures and Seminars

Most modules are taught using a combination of weekly lectures and seminars. Lectures give an introduction to a topic to help prepare you for discussions in seminars. In seminars, you can engage in debates and share your views.

Teaching

Learn from experts with international research profiles across many subfields including:

  • Political theory
  • International relations
  • International security
  • International political economy, and international development
  • Comparative politics
  • Political systems

Learning support

You will have a personal tutor who you can speak to about any questions you may have. There are also regular feedback sessions and opportunities to speak to module directors and seminar tutors.

3e

Our Year One seminars usually have no more than 14 students. Our Year Two and Three seminars usually have no more than 18 students. Lecture sizes vary.

3f

There are 8-12 hours of classroom contact available per week. This is also supplemented with group work, one-to-one advice, feedback sessions, and the use of web-based materials.

3g

Modules are usually assessed through a mixture of exams and essays.

  • Summative assessments include exams and coursework that go towards your final grade.
  • Formative assessments do not contribute marks to your final grade. However, they help you understand key learning points and assessment styles.
3h

Study abroad

There are two options to which you can apply for study abroad: Integrated or Intercalated.

Integrated (included within your three-year degree)

An integrated year enables you to replace your second year with a year of studying abroad. The grades gained during your year abroad become your second-year marks.

Intercalated (adds a year to your degree)

This option adds one year to your degree. You can either apply to study at one of our partner universities or set up an approved work placement.

Countries and partner universities where students have studied abroad (please note countries and institutions are subject to change):

USA

  • University of California

Canada

  • University of Waterloo
  • University of British Columbia
  • Queen’s University
  • McMaster University

Europe

  • Countries: France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Sweden
  • Cities include: Paris, Madrid, Vienna, Berlin, Milan, Barcelona

Japan

  • Waseda University
  • Hokkaido University
  • Kyoto University
  • Nagoya University

Australia

  • Monash University

China

  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Hong Kong

  • University of Hong Kong
  • Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • City University Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Singapore

  • National University of Singapore

South Korea

  • Seoul National University

You may also apply for a work placement in the UK or abroad (approval from department needed).

4a

A level typical offer

AAA

A level contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is ABB. See if you’re eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

4b

IB typical offer

38

IB contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 34. See if you’re eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

4c

Will be considered as long as essential entry requirements are met.

5a

Year One

  • Introduction to Politics
  • World Politics
  • Political Research in the 21st Century

Year Two

  • Political Theory from Hobbes

Optional core modules (also available as Optional modules)

  • Politics of International Development
  • Theories of International Relations
  • States and Markets: An Introduction to International Political Economy
  • International Security

Year Three

  • Issues in Political Theory
5b

Year One

  • Contemporary Themes in Comparative Politics
  • Foundations of Political Economy
  • Justice, Democracy, and Citizenship
  • Nine Ideas in International Security
  • Introduction to Qualitative Methods
  • Introduction to Social Analytics I
  • Introduction to Social Analytics II
  • Understanding Social Inequalities

Year Two

  • Politics in the UK
  • Politics of the USA
  • Politics of Contemporary China
  • Europe: Politics and Ideas
  • Core Issues in Comparative Politics
  • Themes in European Integration
  • Capitalism and its Alternatives
  • Gender Matters in International Relations
  • Political Economy and the Liberal-Democratic State
  • Introduction to Comparative Public Policy
  • Public Policy for 21st Century Challenges
  • Intermediate Social Analytics: Survey Design and Data Collection
  • Intermediate Social Analytics: Survey Analysis and Reporting

Year Three

  • Gender and Development
  • Governing Britain Since 1918
  • European Union Policy-Making
  • Politics of Globalisation
  • United States Foreign Policy
  • Britain and the War on Terror
  • Critical Security Studies
  • Vigilant State: The Politics of Intelligence
  • East Asian Transformations: A Political Economy Perspective
  • State, Power, Freedom: European Political Theory
  • The Political Economy of Money
  • International Relations of the Americas
  • Latin America: Democratisation and Development
  • War in the 21st Century
  • Politics and Culture in the Middle East
  • Violence, Rights, Justice and Peace in the Middle East
  • The Global Energy Challenge
  • The Politics of Climate Change
  • Applying Quantitative Methods to Social Research
  • Experiments in the Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Public Opinion
  • Determinants of Democracy
  • Dissertation

Find out more about our modules.

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