BA (Hons) POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Immersive approach

Become an active agent of change with this fascinating interdisciplinary degree that combines specialisation in both domestic and international politics. Delivered by experienced, expert and enthusiastic academics, you will learn to critically engage with topics such as international development, war and conflict-resolution, security and terrorism, globalisation, and political activism, to provide an in-depth study of contemporary politics from the local to the global.

Why Politics and International Relations at LSBU?

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LSBU is the Winner of Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community and Highly Commended for Student Support (Times Higher Education Awards, 2024).

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Be part of an academic community dedicated to social justice and global responsibility – and be taught by experts with wide-ranging research interests: US foreign policy, Middle East politics, gender, sexualities and society, peacebuilding, transitional justice, colonialism, global political economy, visual politics, global sports, sustainability and climate change.

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Benefit from the work experience module with opportunities to boost practical skills towards your future career. In previous years, students have worked with local MPs, in the charity sector and museums.

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The college's research centres and research groups offer inspiring guest speakers, events, volunteering opportunities and a forum for the exchange of ideas.

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Study International Relations with Politics at the heart of political power in the UK, at our campus on the doorstep of Westminster.

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Some of our graduates go on to work in Parliament, local councils, international cooperations or study their Masters and PhD.

Entry Level Requirements

Careers

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Graduates are in demand for their skill-mix, including analysis, critical thinking, research, and strong communication skills.

As a graduate you’ll be able to appreciate that problems are often multi-faceted and require thoughtful, creative and logical approaches. Such graduates are highly valuable (in both commercial and Not-for- Profit sectors) because of their ability to contribute to strategic decision making.

Typical careers are:

• teaching
• voluntary sector project management
• work in NGOs, local and central government
• general commercial businesses
• national delegations at the United Nations

Placements

Students will complete a work-based learning module as part of their second year where they will complete an optional work placement or take part in other forms of work-based learning. In the past, our students have volunteered with charities and criminal justice agencies, with local authorities, on programmes ranging from rehabilitation of offenders to victim support and campaigner groups. Through these, students contribute to real world situations linked to their subject of interest. In many cases, students maintain a relationship with the organisation they volunteer for. Placements ground a student's experience, provide confidence and bolster a CV immeasurably.

Our students have taken up work placements at:

• Chance UK – a unique early intervention mentoring organisation who provide adult volunteer mentors to work with children aged 5-11 years at risk of developing anti-social behaviour in later life.
• Kairos in Soho – a pan-London LGBT Community Development Organisation.
• The Naz project London – a sexual health organisation that works to mobilise Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in relation to HIV and other sexual health concerns.
• Richmond Advice and Information on Disability (RAID)
• Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS)