BA International Relations and Politics
Belfast, United Kingdom
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
30 Jun 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 20,800 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international fee
Key Summary
Introduction
The Joint Honours Programme in International Relations and Politics will provide you with an in-depth, interdisciplinary understanding of contemporary politics, international affairs and conflict situations in their political, historical, cultural, economic and legal dimensions. Dedicated modules will introduce you to core concepts and debates in International Relations and the study of conflict, as well as to the particular European experience of regional integration. You will acquire familiarity with the experiences of differing national polities and societies, facilitating the development of culturally sensitive cross-national comparisons.
International Relations at Queen’s is about more than just armed conflict and insurgency. It also examines such trends as globalisation and considers the challenge from the rise of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the process of European integration, humanitarian issues (such as poverty, development and refugees), and the role of the media in conflict.
The academic study of politics is concerned with the sources of conflict, co-operation, power and decision-making within and between societies, how differences are expressed through ideology and organisation, and how, if at all, disagreements and problems are resolved. We look at conflict, co-operation and its origins, dynamics and trajectories, at theories of society, at the value and ethical basis of political ideas and action, and at politics in different national and historical contexts.
International Relations And Politics Degree Highlights
Queen’s is ranked in the top 75 universities in Europe for Teaching Excellent (Times Higher Education, 2019)
Global Opportunities
- All students within this degree programme will have the possibility of opting to study for a semester abroad in their third year at an English-speaking university in mainland Europe.
- There is also a possibility for some to spend an additional year in the United States under the Study USA programme.
Industry Links
- Placement:
Unique to the BA Politics programme is the opportunity in the final year to undertake a part-time placement within a local organisation to gain direct experience of policy-making and political decision-making.
Past students have gained work placements with organisations such as the following: - BBC
- Mencap
- Northern Ireland Electoral Commission
- Northern Ireland Local Government Association
- Northern Ireland political parties
- Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments
- Police Ombudsman‘s Office
- The North/South Ministerial Council
- Stratagem
- Women's Aid
- BBC
- Mencap
- Northern Ireland Electoral Commission
- Northern Ireland Local Government Association
- Northern Ireland political parties
- Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments
- Police Ombudsman‘s Office
- The North/South Ministerial Council
- Stratagem
- Women's Aid
- Internship:
Students in their final year have the opportunity to secure a semester-long internship, giving them hands-on experience of political issues and policy-making.
World-Class Facilities
- The School also boasts the following:
- Centre for Gender in Politics
- Centre for Public History
- The Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice
- Institute of Cognition and Culture
- Institute of Irish Studies
- Two International Summer Schools (the Irish Studies Summer School; and the Conflict Transformation and Social Justice Summer School)
- Centre for Gender in Politics
- Centre for Public History
- The Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice
- Institute of Cognition and Culture
- Institute of Irish Studies
- Two International Summer Schools (the Irish Studies Summer School; and the Conflict Transformation and Social Justice Summer School)
- Research-led Teaching:
Cutting-edge research drives our externally commended teaching, most recently evidenced in the latest student satisfaction survey.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- Professor John Garry is an internationally recognised expert in the areas of citizens’ political attitudes and voting behaviour. His research has informed governments both in Belfast and Dublin on offering ordinary citizens the chance to have greater input on policymaking.
- Professor Beverley Milton Edwards has advised various governments in her role as an expert on the Middle East and is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Brooking Institution.
- Professor David Phinnemore is an expert on EU Treaty reform and EU enlargement, which led to his secondment as an advisor to the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Student Experience
- Our uniquely supportive pastoral care/personal tutor system is equalled only by the academic guidance available.
- Our vibrant Politics Society (Polysoc) provides a welcome and stimulating environment for new students. Diversity of Students: we have students from around the UK, Ireland, Europe and the wider world, ensuring a rich mix of students with different experiences and backgrounds.
Career Opportunities
Close links with employers.
Studying for a degree in Politics and International Relations at Queen's will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree at Queen's are well regarded by local, national and international employers and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including Politics and International Relations. Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in the public and voluntary/community sectors, significant numbers develop careers in the private sector, working in industries from management consultancy to law and journalism.
Employment after the Course
Recent graduates have found employment:
- In government and civil service
- As researchers
- As mediators/negotiators
- In public affairs and/or public relations
- In media, journalism, and communications
- Conducting advocacy
- In marketing
- In teaching
Professional Opportunities
Skills to enhance employability.
We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers, including NI government departments and the North/South Ministerial Council, who provide sponsorship for our internships. In addition, the School offers a range of employment placements where students can gain real-world work experience which is invaluable in terms of employment after graduation.
Given that Belfast is a regional capital with devolved powers, we can offer students placements in the high profile political and related institutions on our doorstep - for example in the Department of Justice, Equality Commission, Police Ombudsman’s Office, or BBC Northern Ireland.
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's, you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Gallery
Curriculum
Year 1
Core Modules
- Contemporary Europe (20 credits)
- World Politics (20 credits)
- Comparative Politics (20 credits)
- Introduction to Politics (20 credits)
- Perspectives on Politics (20 credits)
Year 2
Core Modules
- International Relations (20 credits)
- Studying Politics (20 credits)
Optional Modules
- Identity Politics in Diverse Societies (20 credits)
- Democracy, Ethics & Economics (20 credits)
- British Politics in crisis? (20 credits)
- International Organisations (20 credits)
- Northern Ireland: Past, Present and Future (20 credits)
- The Politics of the Planetary Crisis: power, people and place (20 credits)
- American Politics (20 credits)
- Security and Terrorism (20 credits)
- Politics and Policy of the European Union (20 credits)
- Peace and Conflict Studies (20 credits)
- Irish Politics (20 credits)
- Modern Political Thought (20 credits)
- The Politics of Deeply Divided Societies (20 credits)
Year 3
Optional Modules
- Challenges to contemporary party politics (20 credits)
- Middle Eastern Politics (20 credits)
- Contemporary Critical Theory (20 credits)
- Asylum and Migration in Global Politics (20 credits)
- Long Placement (40 credits)
- Dissertation (Politics and International Studies) (40 credits)
- War and Visual Culture and Surveillance (20 credits)
- Short Placement (20 credits)
- Politics of the Global Economy (20 credits)
- Contemporary Political Philosophy (20 credits)
- Global Pol. Econ. of Energy (20 credits)
- US Foreign Policy (20 credits)
- Radical Hope:Inspiring Present-day Sustainability Transformations through an Examination of Our Past (20 credits)
- Politics, Public Administration and Policy-Making (20 credits)
- European Cultural Identities (20 credits)
- National and Ethnic Minorities in European Politics (20 credits)
- Security and Technology (20 credits)
- Earth, Energy, Ethics and Economy: The Politics of Unsustainability (20 credits)
- Political Parties and Elections in Northern Ireland (20 credits)
- Gender and Politics (20 credits)
Learning and Teaching
Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:
- Dissertations
In their final year, students can write a dissertation based on a research topic of their choice and under one-to-one supervision by an academic with specialist knowledge in the chosen field. This provides a unique opportunity for students to marshal all the research and writing skills they have learned through the course of their degree to produce an original piece of research that reflects the particular interests that they have acquired in their time studying at Queen’s. - E-Learning technologies
Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A range of e-learning experiences is also embedded in the degree programme through the use of, for example, interactive support materials, podcasts and web-based learning activities. - Lectures
These introduce foundation information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. As the module progresses this information becomes more complex. Lectures, which are normally delivered in large groups to all year-group peers, also provide opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification on key issues as well as gain feedback and advice on assessments. - Self-directed study
This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out. - Seminars/tutorials
A significant amount of teaching is carried out in small groups (typically 10-12 students). These sessions are designed to explore, in more depth, the information that has been presented in the lectures. This provides students with the opportunity to engage closely with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of their peers. During these classes, students will be expected to present their work to academic staff and their peers.
Assessment
Assessments associated with this course are outlined below:
- A variety of assessment methods are used, depending on the learning objectives of each module, including coursework essays, written examinations, oral presentations, weekly assignments, learning logs, group projects, and dissertations.
Feedback
Formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted. The vast majority of our written feedback is provided electronically to your personal online account.
- General comments or question and answer opportunities during or at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
- Immediate, on-the-spot feedback from your teacher during language classes.
- Individual consultations addressing specific queries with lecturers during designated consultation hours.
- Online or emailed comments to specific queries
- Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which students can review in their own time.
- Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service
- Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
How do I fund my study?
There are different tuition fees and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.
Scholarships
Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students.
International Scholarships