The BA in International Relations provides a rigorous, wide-ranging education into the political structure of the world, and of a range of key countries and regions. Our degree focuses on how global order can be achieved even in the absence of world government. You will be taught about security, the world economy, globalisation, and the conflictual and cooperative engagement between states.

International relations is increasingly concerned with engagement between states. It is also concerned with engagement below, above and beyond states in global public policy, foreign policy analysis, intergovernmental organisations and non-state actors such as transnational corporations, transnational civil society groups, terrorist organisations and resistance movements. The study of international relations encompasses philosophical, theoretical, institutional and issue-based concerns relating to governance without government, often at regional and global levels but also locally.

Graduates in International Relations are valued for their breadth of knowledge, critical thinking skills, writing and presentation abilities, and their capacity to work with others in groups. Our degree will equip you for high quality, graduate-level employment, as well as postgraduate study at Buckingham and other highly ranked universities. Buckingham itself is home to three important research centres, the Centre for United Nations Studies, the International Institute for the Study of Cuba, and the Buckingham University Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS).

Core components of the degree include:
• Country and regional studies, including the UK and US, European Union, China, Russia, Iran, Latin America, with a special module on Cuba. Overall, we have nearly half the world’s population covered.
• Theoretical analysis of the international system – why is there global inequality? Why do some regions experience more conflict than others? What are the likely global developments over the next 50 or so years?
• Analysis of human behaviour as it affects international politics.

There are also options in history, economics, philosophy, and security studies.

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Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the departmental or programme handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by the University of Buckingham and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.