International Relations and Languages BA (Hons), with a year abroad

Dr Aishling Mc Morrow: International relations is how states interact in the international system. As you can imagine, it's really broad and we look at many different topics and issues within that. It's not just states that we look at: it's non-governmental organisations, it's terrorist organisations and how they all interplay and interact with each other to make up this thing, that is the international system.

India: I wanted to study this course because I've always had an interest in politics, and I felt that this course would provide me with opportunities to expand that knowledge while also gaining a greater global perspective on political issues.

Samantha: I had my 'aha' moment when I actually came to Portsmouth and my foundation programme was law with international relations because I wasn't sure which one I wanted to do. I actually spoke to a lecturer, and I was like, "Should I do IR or should I change to law?" and it was her passion for me that really sold me and I really found myself identifying with it, and then that's when I knew like, "okay, this is it".

Dr Aishling Mc Morrow: I think what students are attracted to is the variety of the course. So one day you could be studying conflict and security, and then the next day you might be studying development aid. Which are polar opposites, and they're different worlds, but you get to do that within your course.

Samantha: It teaches you to see people from another perspective and I think that's really important, not just in diplomacy, but in everyday life.

Joshua: The modules, they're so broad and vast so people can find their niches within that. So there you can find, "okay, this is what I stand for."

Dr Aishling Mc Morrow: There are a lot of career opportunities. We have students working with the U.N. High Commissioner of Refugees, working in the House of Congress in the U.S. and working as researchers with Parliament in the U.K.

Johannes: I don't think I picked Portsmouth, I think Portsmouth picked me. This course really motivates me in this way to just go the extra mile, really do the reading, turn up and just invest my time and energy.

Dr Aishling Mc Morrow: The reason why I think students should study and come to the University of Portsmouth is because what our courses enable our students to do, is look at the events that's happening in the world today and have the ability to process them and critically analyse them and to question the information that's put in front of them.

Aleksandra: Ever since I've started to study International Relations I've completely fallen in love with it. First, when I got to my seminars or lectures, I felt like Alice in Wonderland exploring the world from completely different angles I would never think about before and that's what got me.