Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations with History BA (Hons)

In your first year of study, you will develop an understanding of Global Affairs, the key questions and challenges in the world, why these matter and who is affected.  

You will study patterns of globalisation in the past and present, questioning Western and universalised approaches to world political, cultural, social and economic history through an examination of Eastern and Southern-led processes. Students will develop critical thinking, understanding the creation of the world system through processes of unequal power, violence and oppression contrasted with new and emerging technologies and broader change. You will interrogate the big questions in global affairs and international relations, exploring the theoretical lenses of international relations with the practice in world politics, enabling a deeper consideration of how the world might be understood and transformed. You will learn to decode global affairs, becoming empowered with the analytical and methodological tools required to comprehend how major global events are portrayed and re-presented in the media, news, documentary, film and academic texts. You will learn to unpack, and critically assess the narratives and representations surrounding significant international occurrences, doing so methodologically, and placing these in context and the valuable skills of political communication. You will explore key concepts, political ideas and key thinkers that underpin political and economic thought, enabling you to make sense of political ideas associated with industrialisation and modernity and how those developments have influenced political relationships between countries across time. It will provide students with the critical and reflective skills to be able to participate in the social, political and ideological nature of contemporary global debates. 

There are also History core modules at each level of study which give you the chance to explore the past in both breadth and depth. You will explore the past to allow them to prepare for your future through topics covering a thousand years of local, national and international history. Our inclusive curriculum means that you will challenge existing narratives about the past and will be encouraged to think critically about how and why these narratives have developed. You will also explore important themes and issues relating to race, diversity, gender, imperialism, conflict and climate change. Through the study of the past, we can make sense of our present and start to think about how to work together to shape our future. 

At Level 4, you are introduced to global historical events, are given the opportunity to explore historical debates and are also exposed to key themes in Medieval, Early Modern and Contemporary History.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In your second year of study, you will be immersed in the most important contemporary challenges in global affairs, with opportunities for experiential learning throughout the year, and a placement either in the UK or abroad in the third term.

You will study global conflict, security and peacebuilding and have opportunities to engage with specialist practitioners working in protracted conflict around the world, seeing inside the missions that work on building peace and engaging with the practices that transform conflict. You will study International trade, power and diplomacy to understand the economic, cultural, political, diplomatic and societal relationships that combine to shape our world. You will explore global development considering global historical and contemporary injustices have created contemporary development inequalities, and learning about what makes a real transformational impact and how to do that through a series of professionally directed assignments. You will engage with the philosophies, theories and ethics beyond the West and the relationship of the West and non-West in geo-politics in both the past and present, learning to consider ‘whole world’ thinking as you engage with global challenges and problem-solving to create solutions that have impact.

Finally, you will engage in researcher, practitioner and professional development to enhance your theoretical, applied and professional skills in the field of global affairs. 

Level 5 builds on this foundation through more complex learning which considers the uses and abuses of History in both the past and present whilst also allowing you to begin to focus on more specific regions, events or periods.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In your third year of study, you will refine your research, applied and professional skills in Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations, with opportunities to dive deep into specialised subjects and pursue an independent project aligned with your interests.

This year you will explore a range of modules including Africa in the World, where you will gain a nuanced understanding of African politics and international relations from "the inside", through the concepts, theories, paradigms and contexts in which the political, economic and social logic of Africa come together and which engage and challenge contemporary thinking and dominant thinking about politics and international relations. You will explore sustainability as a global challenge, that addresses the urgent need to balance economic wellbeing with social equity and the environment.

In Global Communication, you will critically analyse the strategies used in political communication, and their profound impact on global governance and power structures.

In International Political Economy you will investigate the intricate relationship between global politics and economics, and how power dynamics, trade policies and financial systems shape the world, offering fascinating insights into the forces that influence global prosperity and inequality and drawing on cases from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and our own place in the world.

You will undertake a major project in the field of Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations, with guidance from specialist researchers and practitioners with the option to choose the format of this and depending on your professional aspirations. You might choose a dissertation, a policy paper or a research article ready for publication.

The year will end with a professional conference showcasing your specialist knowledge and understanding to a wider audience. 

At Level 6, you will conduct project work related to heritage events and immerse yourself in Special Subjects that focus on particular historical issues and relevant primary source material in greater depth. Students will also undertake a dissertation, supported by a supervisor, on a research topic of their own choice.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
• Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

In November 2024, as part of the government’s Autumn Budget, it was confirmed that some foundation years from September 2025 will have a fee of £5,760 for the first foundation year of a four-year course. This is mainly for courses in the Humanities, Business, and Social Sciences disciplines. The following three years of these courses will be the standard fee of £9,535 per annum.

* For courses which accept applications from International Students

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials.

Students often elect to purchase a laptop, where students choose to do so, the cost it likely to be around £800-£1000.

Most software specific to your course is available free to students through agreements we have with the software vendors. 

Occasional, optional, field trips may be offered, depending on student demand, these are typically within the UK and where chargeable the cost is likely to be under £100. Students are not required to participate in order to successfully complete the course. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.