Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

1. To introduce students to problems, concepts and debates in International Relations, informed by research at the forefront of contemporary debates.
2. To provide a comprehensive grounding in International Relations and in the cognate disciplines of political science and area studies, supporting the analysis of the contemporary world arena.
3. To develop competence in the research strategies and methods of International Relations, including international political theory, international political analysis, the study of international regimes, conflict and crisis management.
4. To enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of topical issues in International Relations by applying theory to practice and by using practice to reflect on theory.
5. To foster the acquisition of key transferable skills including critical analysis; appraisal of evidence and formulation of hypothesis based on available information; evaluation of debates in international affairs; appropriately use communication and information technology; and clear communication of ideas.
6. To broaden perspectives on International Relations through multidisciplinary research, by providing a range of electives from the disciplines of the humanities and social sciences, by enabling students to extend, apply and/or reflect on their learning through training in the UK or abroad and/or through the study of a modern language.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• QAA Benchmarking statements for Politics and International Relations
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy
• Departmental Learning and Teaching policies
• The research interests and specialisms of the teaching staff and their professional involvement in the discipline

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

K1. discuss the nature and characteristics of a variety of international actors and phenomena, including the international state system, non-governmental actors and the challenges of international governance;

K2. analyse the major trends and causal factors relevant to the contemporary International System;

K3. explain competing interpretations of international events and approaches to international governance;

K4. apply core concepts and methods used in IR scholarship and in the cognate disciplines of political science and area studies to analyse the international arena;

K5. evaluate principles, methods, ideas and problems drawn from the study of International Relations and cognate disciplines in the humanities and/or the social sciences.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1. choose appropriate research strategies and methods of International Relations to analyse key issues and events;

C2. evaluate leading concepts, ideas, principles and models of International Relations theory;

C3. apply principles and theoretical approaches of International Relations theory to analyse unfolding international events, and formulate coherent solutions to problems of international governance and diplomacy;

C4. use sophisticated argument and analysis to propose solutions to complex problems.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

P1. use information technology to retrieve and communicate information to a range of different audiences;

P2. evaluate sources of information and the ethical issues relating to research in International Relations;

P3. undertake independent research under supervision;

P4. organise personal learning and development self-critically.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

T1. appraise evidence and formulate hypothesis based on available information;

T2. manage time effectively and work to deadlines;

T3. apply research skills and practices to offer interpretations of complex and unfamiliar ideas, abstract concepts, political phenomena and events;

T4. summarise complex scholarly debates;

T5. evaluate alternative solutions to complex problems;

T6. co-operate with others for common benefit.

4. Programme structure

Candidates following the four-year programme are required to undertake an academic year abroad (Part I) which occurs between Part B and Part C at a French-, German- or Spanish-speaking university, following an approved course of study leading to the Diploma in International Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation X1. Candidates may also follow an approved course of study at a foreign university where teaching is in English leading to the Diploma in International Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.

Candidates following the four-year thick sandwich programme are required to spend the third academic year (Part I) EITHER undertaking an approved Assistantship at a school or other approved placement in a French-, German- or Spanish-speaking country, leading to the Diploma in International Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation X1, OR undertaking an approved placement in the UK or abroad leading to the Diploma in Professional Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation X1. Participation in study abroad or a placement is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic performance during Parts A and B. 

4     Content

(1) Part A - Introductory Modules

Semester 1

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 50)

 (ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 10)

Candidates choose one elective subject group, which must be followed throughout Part A from:

Communications and Media Studies: SSA301

Economics: ECA001

English: EAA101

French: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications

German: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications

Geography: GYA004

Business: BSA505

Mandarin Chinese: EUL401

Criminology and Social Policy: SSA201

Social Psychology: SSA102

Sociology: SSA001

Spanish: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications

Semester 2

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 50)

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 10)

Communication and Media Studies: SSA302

Economics: ECA001

English: EAA201

French: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications

Geography: GYA104

German: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications

Business: BSA506

Mandarin Chinese: EUL422

Criminology and Social Policy: SSA202

Social Psychology: SSA101

Sociology: SSA002

Spanish: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on students’ previous qualifications and experience.

(2) Part B - Degree Modules

(A) EITHER – Standard Route

 (i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 20)

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semesters 1&2

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 100)

Candidates choose a total of 100 credits from the following:

(a) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - modules to a minimum value of 80 and a maximum value of 100 credits from the following list:

(b) ELECTIVES -  if fewer than 100 credits are chosen under (a), candidates choose modules up to a value of 20 credits from one of the elective subject groups listed in Section 4 (1) (ii) of these Regulations.  A list of the elective subject modules will be published by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations.  Choices of elective subject modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications. 

(B) OR – International Semester Route

Candidates may replace the modules required for Part B Semester Two with an approved course of study taught in English at a foreign University.  Candidates will undertake assessed work equivalent to 50 credits, as required by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, along with a Distance Learning Research Design module.  Candidates who opt for this route must ensure that they have taken a total of 60 credits in Semester One. 

Semester 1

 (i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 10)

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES - (total modular weight 50)

Candidates choose a total of 50 credits from the following:

(a) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - modules to a minimum value of 40 and a maximum value of 50 credits from the following list:

ELECTIVES -  if fewer than 50 credits are chosen under (a), candidates choose modules up to a value of 10 credits from one of the elective subject groups listed in Section 4 (1) (ii) of these Regulations.  A list of the elective subject modules will be published by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations.  Choices of elective subject modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.

Semester 2

COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)

(3)  Part I

i) Four Year Programme – candidates will undertake assessed work leading to the Diploma of International Studies (DINTS)

ii) Four Year Thick Sandwich Programme (DINTS route) – candidates will undertake an approved Assistantship in a French-, German- or Spanish-speaking school or other approved placement leading to the Diploma of International Studies (DINTS)

iii) Four Year Thick Sandwich Programme (DPS route) – candidates will undertake an approved placement leading to the Diploma of Professional Studies (DPS)

Participation in study abroad or a placement is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic performance during Parts A and B.  Students choosing to study on the Semester Abroad will only be allowed to take the Year Abroad in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Department of Politics, History and International Relations.

(4) Part C - Degree Modules

Semesters 1 & 2

(i) COMPULSORY MODULE (total modular weight 40)

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES

As a result of option choices, students may not be registered for more than 70 or fewer than 50 credits in any one Semester.

Candidates choose a total of 80 credits from the following:

(a) modules to a minimum value of 40 and a maximum value of 80 credits from the following list:

(b) if fewer than 80 credits are chosen under (a), candidates choose modules up to a value of 40 credits from one of the elective subject groups listed in Section 4 (1) (ii) of these Regulations.  A list of the elective subject modules will be published by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations.  Choices of elective subject modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1  In order to progress from Part A to Part B and from Part B to Part C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also achieve a module mark of at least 30% in all modules in each Part. 

5.2  Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of reassessment in any Part of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University's special assessment period.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40%, Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.