Global Affairs Politics and International Relations with History BA Hons

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Course Summary

Embark on a journey through time and across borders with our degree in Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations with History. This multidisciplinary course, offered at our renowned institution, is meticulously crafted to weave the rich tapestry of historical events with the dynamic complexities of today's global political landscape.

You will dive into the pivotal moments and movements that have shaped the world. You will scrutinise the birth and evolution of nations, the formulation and fallout of treaties, and the rise and fall of empires, all while gaining an acute understanding of current international relations and global political strategies. This fusion of history with contemporary global affairs equips you with a profound perspective and the analytical skills to understand and influence the future.

Our curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire. Through engaging lectures, stimulating seminars, and hands-on research projects, you will explore the interplay between historical events and modern-day international politics. Our distinguished staff team, renowned for their expertise and research, are not just educators but mentors dedicated to nurturing your intellectual growth and professional development.

Beyond the classroom, the course offers experiential opportunities, study abroad options, and access to influential networks, providing a platform for real-world experience and professional exposure. This degree is not just an academic pursuit; it's a launchpad for a career in diplomacy, international organisations, academia, or any sector where an in-depth understanding of global affairs and history is paramount.

What you'll study

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.

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.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, students study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. There are specialisations within modules, where students can explore the areas that most interest them.

Scheduled contact hours in the classroom range between approximately six and ten hours per week per module, depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. Students can expect to take part in interactive sessions comprising of lectures, seminars, workshops, and peer-led seminar discussions. The course blends theoretical, practitioner and professional development across the years to enable students to apply their knowledge and skills in the real-world environment and become future leaders.

In addition to timetabled sessions, students spend an average of 30-34 hours a week on their studies which may include weekly asynchronous learning activities for each module, undertaking wider reading, using the University’s library, individual tutorial time with staff, working with peers, and preparing work for summative assessments. 

Teaching is delivered by our distinguished academic team, composed of experienced professionals and renowned academics. We provide insightful guidance, fostering critical thinking, and analytical skills. We are not just educators but mentors who are invested in your success, offering personalised attention and supporting your academic and professional aspirations.

You will be assessed through a broad range of research, practitioner and professional coursework, that demonstrates your knowledge, skills and understanding and provides for your career aspirations. Each assessment is comprehensively supported by specialist staff, who provide workshops around assessment. Formative feedback is provided, prior to the submission of work.

Assessments may include reading diaries, critical reviews, case analyses, portfolios, posters, podcasts, policy documents, conflict mapping exercises, resilience analysis and evaluations of projects, geo-political crisis response reports, digital scrapbooks, simulated debates, independent research and practitioner and professional based tools and applications.

These assessment methods optimise learning and skill development for a diverse range of learners with unique needs and preferences, and to enable students to build a wide array of skills to thrive in the workplace. This will help to ensure that students are exposed to the different types of tasks they might encounter in the workplace and have the opportunities to build the skills and confidence to manage these effectively.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Tariff	112 points
GCE A Level	Typical offer – BCC-BBC, the school requires one of the following subjects: A level History, or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government and Politics, Sociology or Law.
BTEC	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma – DMM, the school also requires one of the following GCE A Level subjects: History or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government and Politics, Sociology or Law
International Baccalaureate	28 points, including 5 in HL History or an alternative such as English, Philosophy or Social and Cultural Anthropology
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers - Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H4 including History or an alternative such as English, Politics & Society or Religious Education. Scottish Highers - BBBB, including History or an alternative such as English or Religious Studies
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Merit (including 15 in History).
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

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.

72UCAS points

UCAS Tariff	72 points
GCE A Level	72 points, including grade D at A Level, the school requires one of the following subjects: A level History, or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government and Politics, Sociology or Law.
BTEC	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma – MMP, the school also requires one of the following GCE A Level subjects: History or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government and Politics, Sociology or Law
International Baccalaureate	24 points, including 5 in HL History or an alternative such as English, Philosophy or Social and Cultural Anthropology
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers - Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H4, H4, H4, H4, H4 including History or an alternative such as English, Politics & Society or Religious Education. Scottish Highers - CCDD, including History or an alternative such as English or Religious Studies
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma, Pass overall (including 15 credits in History).
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree.

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

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.

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Michael Francis

Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer, Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations

Dr Rachel Massey

Senior Lecturer, Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations

Dr Kara Critchell

Senior Lecturer in History; Programme Leader BA History

Dr Suzanne Francis

Associate Professor of Conflict Transformation & Peace Studies; Programme Leader, Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations

Dr Mark Bendall

Senior Lecturer, Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations

Dr Rebecca Andrew

Senior Lecturer in History

Prof Tim Grady

Professor of History; Programme Leader MRes History, MA History & MA War, Conflict and Society

Dr David Harry

Deputy Head of Department; Senior Lecturer in History

Dr Meng Tong

Lecturer

Dr Wasiu Are

Lecturer, Economics

Where you'll Study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Modern learning resources and library

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Student Services

Fitness facilities

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Accommodation

Catering

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Graduates of a degree in Global Affairs, Politics, and International Relations with History have a diverse array of career opportunities, leveraging their deep understanding of historical context, political systems, and international relations. Potential career paths include:

Diplomacy and Foreign Service
International Organisations and NGOs
Public Policy and Government
Historical Research and Academia
Intelligence and National Security
Journalism and Media
Political Consulting and Lobbying
International Business and Trade
Legal Careers
Cultural and Heritage Organisations

These career paths benefit from the graduates' ability to critically analyse and synthesise information from a historical perspective, understand complex political and international systems, and navigate the global landscape effectively.

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

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

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