Open University

BA (Honours) in International Relations

The qualification provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills, and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding

When you have completed this degree, you will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the:

• Historical evolution and contemporary make-up of the international system, including the modern system of nation-states, global governance and other global power structures
• Conceptualisation and explanation of order and disorder and especially of conflict, competition and cooperation in the international system
• Range of political, economic, cultural and technological processes and interactions between different states and societies, and among a range of different actors across the international system
• Main debates, theories, current research, and scholarship in the discipline of International Relations and related disciplines.

Cognitive skills

When you have completed this degree, you will be able to:

• Define and use key concepts, abstract models and theories from International Relations and other related disciplines to study the international system
• Analyse complex situations and synthesise and critically evaluate different kinds of evidence from a variety of sources to develop detailed, reasoned arguments
• Critically compare and evaluate competing ideas, arguments and theories used in International Relations
• Carry out independent research using concepts, models, theories and evidence to address a question or problem.

Practical and professional skills

When you have completed this degree, you will be able to:

• Reflect on your work and work processes, to develop skills and improve over time
• Work independently and without constant direction, assessing and planning tasks to demonstrate effective time-management and organisational skills
• Work in collaboration with others, play an active role, pay attention to the views of others and demonstrate adaptability when required
• Make informed, reasoned choices and judgments applicable to a wide range of situations based on an understanding of the contested political, economic and cultural issues addressed by International Relations.

Key skills

When you have completed this degree, you will be able to:

• Confidently select, summarise and methodically synthesise complex information from a range of materials and sources and interpret, read and record/note take appropriately
• Express and present complex ideas succinctly and clearly in written form in a coherent and organised manner to develop a logical, substantiated and sustained argument, with sources referenced appropriately
• Perform basic numerical operations and interpret and present basic descriptive statistics in tables, graphs and diagrams, showing awareness of the range of interpretations they might be used to support
• Independently search for, access, critically evaluate and prepare information from a range of sources, including using a variety of ICT applications and tools
• Identify and use sources of support and feedback to reflect upon your learning and practice skills.

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• Stage 1 starts with a choice between an introduction to the social sciences and an introductory environment module. You'll complete this stage with an interdisciplinary social science module.
• Next, in Stage 2, you'll start with an International Relations module and select from the Development, Environment, History or Politics routes.
• In Stage 3, you'll continue studying International Relations and the route chosen in Stage 2.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll begin Stage 1 with either:

• Introducing the social sciences (DD102)
• Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)

You'll complete Stage 1 with:

• Global challenges: social science in action (D113)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

Politics route

You'll begin Stage 2 with:

• Exploring international relations: actors, issues, perspectives (D228) – planned for October 2025

You'll complete Stage 2 with:

• Understanding politics: ideas and institutions in the modern world (DD211)

Development route

You'll begin Stage 2 with:

• Exploring international relations: actors, issues, perspectives (D228) – planned for October 2025

You'll complete Stage 2 with:

• Introducing global development: poverty, inequality, sustainability (D229)

History route

You'll begin Stage 2 with:

• Exploring international relations: actors, issues, perspectives (D228) – planned for October 2025

You'll complete Stage 2 with:

• The British Isles and the Modern World, 1789–1914 (A225)

Environment route

You'll begin Stage 2 with:

• Exploring international relations: actors, issues, perspectives (D228) – planned for October 2025

You'll complete this stage with:

• Environment and Society (DD213)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

Politics route

You'll begin Stage 3 with:

• International relations (D322) – planned for October 2026

You'll complete Stage 3 with:

• Modern political ideas (DD316)

Development route

You'll begin Stage 3 with:

• International relations (D322) – planned for October 2026

You'll complete Stage 3 with:

• International development (D329) – planned for October 2026

History route

You'll begin Stage 3 with:

• International relations (D322) – planned for October 2026

You'll complete Stage 3 with:

• Empires: power, resistance, legacies (A328)

Environment route

You'll begin Stage 3 with:

• International relations (D322) – planned for October 2026

You'll complete Stage 3 with:

• Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

Employers value the diversity of transferable skills that this degree course develops. You’ll be able to analyse problems relating to a range of international issues including cooperation and conflict; cultural differences; development and international economic change. Key transferable skills include the abilities to:

• Use a range of communication technologies to independently research, select and present information
• Analyse and critically evaluate information and data
• Write and communicate concisely and clearly
• Assemble reasoned arguments for particular audiences
• Use a range of formats: essays, presentations, reports, collaborative working, online forums
• Use strategies to update your knowledge
• Value critical feedback to reflect on your progress and improve your work.

Career relevance

An International Relations degree applies to a wide range of professions in the private and public sectors, including international agencies and government bodies (national and European), businesses and non-governmental organisations.

Other careers

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.