This innovative International Relations degree allows you to explore international issues and events, including relationships between states, peoples, social movements, and cultural and religious communities. You'll learn about the topics and processes currently shaping our world and gain a sense of how to make informed choices that have an impact at the local, national and global levels.
If you have a keen interest in global affairs and the changing world in which we live, this International Relations course is ideal for you.
Why choose this course?
- You may have the opportunity to gain experience with a work placement, and you may have the chance to study abroad for one term in your second year as part of the Erasmus+ foreign exchange scheme.
- Teaching is informed by regionally aligned research strengths in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Europe. This research feeds directly into the course, which means you will be learning about the latest issues from world-renowned experts.
- This course will help you to develop a greater awareness of the complexity and connectedness of the processes that shape our world.
- Studying International Relations opens up careers in a wide range of fields in the public and private sectors, with our graduates going on to work in UK government departments, international aid agencies, and a wide range of non-governmental organisations.
- Politics (including International Relations) at Nottingham Trent University is ranked 4th out of 77 for the number of final year students who are satisfied with the feedback and assessment by lecturers on their course (The Guardian university league table 2016).
Joint Honours courses are offered by the School of Art and Humanities and are available at our Clifton Campus.
How you're taught
To provide you with a first-class learning experience and to guarantee you have an opportunity to make the most of your time at university, you will receive contact time through a diverse range of delivery methods. Structured teaching will be delivered through a combination of traditional lectures and seminars. These aim to develop subject specific knowledge and theory and expose you to a wide range of views and perspectives. The smaller group seminars provide opportunities to develop:
- problem-solving skills
- group working
- textual analysis
- debating skills
- presentation skills.
Tutorials with staff
As the relationship between students and tutors is an important one, you can expect to have lots of direct contact and support through seminars and one-to-one tutorials. At these sessions, you'll have the opportunity to:
- discuss and gain feedback about your work
- ask questions about the projects you're working on
- raise any difficulties you are experiencing relating to your work, personal circumstances or your university experience.
Independent study
Independent study is an important part of this course. Throughout the three years of your course, the scheduled contact hours you receive will gradually decrease as you develop the skills required to undertake an independent study or dissertation in your final year. You'll still have regular contact with your tutors and, if necessary, ad hoc tutorials can be arranged.
Learning from experts
You'll be taught by enthusiastic, engaged and expert staff. The courses all draw upon their expertise, research interests and experience, and many have also published textbooks in their specialist area of interest.
You'll develop specialist knowledge based on the team staff's expertise in several areas, including foreign policy, international and global institutions, international relations theory, global political economy, South Asia, Africa, North East Asia, and the Middle East.
In addition to the traditional lectures, tutorials and independent study, you'll also hear and learn from renowned experts and professionals in related fields, who are regularly invited to come and talk to our students, and provide you with an insight into their specialist knowledge and experiences.
Virtual learning environment
You'll also use our virtual learning environment NOW, which is a flexible web-based system that allows you to have 24-hour access to module learning materials and reading lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and other students, and submit coursework electronically from anywhere in the world.
How will I be assessed?
The International Relations team use a variety pf assessment practices. These include, coursework-based essays, reports, textual analysis, oral presentations, written examinations and a final year research-based dissertation.
In response to student feedback, the University has introduced a policy ensuring marked work is returned to you electronically within three weeks of submission.
Beyond the course
Broaden your experience, stand out from the crowd, and gain a range of skills that employers are looking for.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students, and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have.
Learning a new language can:
- enhance your communication skills
- enrich your experience when travelling abroad
- boost your career prospects.
Find out more about the University Language Programme.
Assessment methods
- Year 1 coursework (50%), written (50%)
- Year 2 coursework (77%), written (23%)
- Year 3 coursework (49%), written (38%)
Contact hours
A full-time student on average can expect to spend 1200 hours a year learning which will typically be broken down as follows:
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (23%), independent (77%)
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (24%), independent (76%)
- Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (19%), independent (81%)
Careers and employability
Excellent placement opportunities
Throughout this course you will be developing skills for employability. You will undertake a work placement, and you will be actively encouraged to participate in voluntary work.
You may have the chance to spend half of your second year studying abroad with the Erasmus+ foreign exchange scheme. You may be able to study in places such as:
- Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary
- Lille I University in France
- Metropolitan University in Prague
- Izmir University in Turkey.
We are also currently looking at expanding our network of partner universities. Please note that these universities are subject to change, and different options might be available from one year to another.
Your career development
Career development is seen as a major part of this course. Key transferable skills including communication, time management, problem-solving and team working are emphasised. There are opportunities to develop links with relevant organisations and potential employers.
When you graduate, you will be well placed to embark on a successful career in a wide range of fields in the public and private sectors. You may be keen to pursue a career in relevant government departments, international aid agencies, and development agencies. In the private sector, organisations are increasingly looking for graduates with an understanding of international and global events and processes.
The job titles below give an indication of the careers our recent International Relations graduates are following:*
- Business support officer
- Civil servant
- Development officer
- HR administrator
- Project coordinator
- Soldier
- Teaching assistant.
*Latest DLHE survey undergraduate results, 2011-12 to 2014-15.
Our Employability team
We have a dedicated Employability team located on the City Campus. The team are well placed to give you specialist guidance and practical help that will really make a difference to your prospects once you do graduate.
Facilities
As a Social Sciences student you will have easy access to the fantastic facilities in the Chaucer and Taylor buildings, including:
- lecture theatres and teaching classrooms
- open access PCs and secure wireless points
- study areas and social spaces
- Chaucer café, serving drinks and light snacks
- our brand new School of Social Sciences reception, providing you with easy access to our helpful and friendly support staff.
