International Relations, BSc (Hons), with industry placement

This course examines the key drivers of international relations in the 21st century, focusing on relationships between countries and cultures, particularly near the 2021 G7 summit site. It covers aspects from law and economics to diplomacy and governance, fostering critical thinking to tackle global challenges like environmental crises and conflict. Students blend theory with practice, including representing Plymouth at the Model UN, working with expert staff, debating worldwide issues, and participating in international exchanges.In the first year, students analyze current affairs and historical contexts; subsequent years delve into foreign policy, security, and global economies, with options for study abroad or placement. The program emphasizes research, innovative modules, and practical skills through varied assessments. It does not award Qualified Teacher Status. For detailed modules and assessment methods, refer to the institution's website.

In your first year, you will investigate daily headlines and topical news, discovering the international systems and political and economic ideas that shape our contemporary world. You’ll explore the evolution of politics, current affairs, climate crises and major political events in historical and regional contexts. By the end of year one you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to help you thrive in your degree programme, having gained vital research techniques and analysed the relationship between international relations and the social sciences via innovative and engaging forms of assessment. In year two immerse yourself in the issues that you care about in the world and use your new found knowledge and skills to analyse global systems. Learn how to do foreign policy analysis and explore concepts of national and human security, identity and global political economy. You will explore contemporary debates and develop a critical mindset, evaluating evidence and scrutinising arguments to take your knowledge further in ways that you can apply in your future career. Or you can put your global mindset into practice, studying abroad with our international student exchange programme. Undertake an optional placement year where you can build a number of key employability skills. Put theory onto practice, get a taste for your chosen career and expand upon your professional network. In your third year, you’ll do comprehensive research on a topic of your choice with expert supervision that helps bring together the skills developed on your journey so far. You’ll deepen your knowledge of IR by studying a range of topics including NATO, understanding conspiracies and post-truth politics, the media, environmental politics, the EU, the politics of the USA, the Middle East or Africa. Make your degree your own, choosing modules from across our school that interest you the most. By the end of your final year, you will be making your mark, ready to be a part of the change. The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website