International Studies
International Studies degrees
An International Studies degree at Buckingham will build your understanding of intercultural, social and political issues and prepare you for success in global organisations and government agencies. As an interdisciplinary degree, you will engage with the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world, developing a detailed understanding of economics, politics and modern (nineteenth and twentieth century) history.
As part of our new Flexible Honour programme, you will be able to pick your subject major –International Studies – and then choose from a wide range of modules from other subjects, enabling you to truly follow your interests and passions.
The degree combines history, economics and politics with (optionally) law. There is a great deal of choice within the degree. The knowledge you gain through the two-year degree can then be applied to countries and regions across the world, such as Latin America, China, the Middle East and Europe.
Various master’s (MA) programmes are also available, taught by local and international experts. These include: United Nations and Diplomatic Studies, and Security, Intelligence and Diplomacy.
Why choose Buckingham
Study International Studies at Buckingham, the home of the two-year degree, ranked 2nd for Graduate Prospects (on-track, The Complete University Guide, 2023). Students are at the heart of everything we do: our award-winning small class tutorials ensure every student is known by name and supported throughout their studies. You will love our personalised teaching model, dedicated student support team, and beautiful, safe campus.
Featured International Studies courses
Student feedback
“I loved my studies at Buckingham. I was always interested in international relations, but I never thought that studying it here would be such a rewarding experience. The teaching staff were excellent.”
Anastasiya, International Studies with Spanish
Experience International Studies
Meet our lecturers
Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations
Dr Wilkinson is considered one of the UK’s leading experts on Cuba and US-Cuba relations. He delivers undergraduate modules in Political Communication, The Politics of China, The Politics of Latin America, US Foreign Policy and Cuban Politics. Stephen is the Director of the International Institute for the Study of Cuba and editor of the International Journal of Cuban Studies.
Dr Paul Graham, Senior Lecturer in Politics
Dr Graham is a political theorist who has authored one of the most widely used undergraduate textbooks on his subject – Hoffman and Graham, Introduction to Political Theory, 3rd Edition, Routledge, 2015 (fourth edition due out in 2020). He also runs the Centre for United Nations Studies.
Dr Valentina Kostadinova, Lecturer in Politics
An expert on the European Union (EU), Dr Kostadinova has also worked on the Middle East, with particular focus on Saudi Arabia. She has published the findings of her research in leading academic outlets, including in the Journal of Common Market Studies. She teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate level and is a PhD supervisor.
Your future career
Programmes in international studies equip graduates with a range of skills and knowledge across areas such as globalisation, development, social relations, democracies, theories of international relations, economics and security.
A BA in International Studies is especially useful as a foundation for careers in policy analysis, civil service, diplomacy, country risk analysis, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the charity sector, public affairs consultant, journalism and teaching.
We support your employability through a Professional Development Portfolio, in which you write reflectively about the professional skills you acquire and use during your time at university. These skills will help you in your studies as well as being crucial for your future career.
Industry links
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), a leading economic think tank, provides dedicated internship places and guest lecturers. We have pioneered collaborations with universities such as the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology and are also the home to The Institute for International Monetary Research, which offers internships.