Politics and International Relations (Study Abroad)

Today’s world is complex and fast-paced. Studying Politics and International Relations at Lancaster will give you the tools to understand the forces shaping the twenty-first century, and the political interactions that occur within and among nations. Our cutting-edge programme introduces you to the concepts, methods, and theories of politics and international relations, revealing how power is exercised, how policies are formed, and how decisions are made. As you become an expert in politics and international relations, how will you use your knowledge? What part might you play in responding to global challenges?

Why Lancaster?

• Join a degree like no other that combines domestic politics, global affairs, and international relations, giving you a well-rounded understanding of global issues
• Learn from a team of experts who work with UK local, regional, and national governments, make regular media appearances, and who shape the future of politics and international relations
• Join one of only 20 universities to offer a parliamentary studies module, run in conjunction with UK Parliament
• Learn how to tackle difficult questions with confidence, whilst building your skills in debating, presenting, and writing policy briefs
• Take advantage of internship opportunities, where you can work on research projects with NGOs, think tanks and charities

Ask the big questions

How will new patterns of migrations change politics within and between nations in the 21st century? How will AI and cyber technologies change the practice of politics, security, and war? How will Europe and America respond to the rise of China and the changing balance of global power?

When you study politics and international relations at Lancaster you will explore these questions and more. You will learn from world-leading specialists in the politics of the UK, Europe, America, Russia, Africa, India, China, and the Middle East. You’ll be exposed to ongoing debates in the fields of public policy, diplomacy and warfare, and directly engage with the strategic implications of rapidly advancing technologies. Overall, you will be trained to think about politics with a truly global mindset.

Going beyond the traditional study of politics and international relations, you will explore critical problems in depth, whilst gaining a comprehensive understanding of contemporary political debates and developments from top experts in the field.

Global Challenges. Innovative Solutions.

You will gain a rigorous understanding of the theories and analytical methods used to research politics and international relations, while exploring your own regional and thematic interests. Our programme offers innovative perspectives on the most urgent challenges facing Britain and the world today such as climate change, social inequalities, cultural division, gender rights, immigration, and security. You’ll learn through real-life case studies and gain transferable skills by participating in innovative simulations and policy workshops, helping you develop creative ideas and solutions to global challenges.

Bringing together critical engagement with theory and cutting edge applied analytical research skills, you will learn to engage with these global challenges from many different perspectives, using your knowledge to develop innovative and sustainable solutions.

During this course, you will explore a range of fascinating themes and topics including:

• Power, politics and policy:Critically engage with foundational ideas and debates in policymaking, democracy, climate change and global inequalities for real-world application of these ideas.
• The future role of the state: Engage with the increasingly interconnected role of states in politics and their capacity to respond to the challenges of our time.
• A changing global order: Explore the impact of globalisation on the rise of new powers, the decline of old ones, and the implications for global governance.
• War, (in)security, and conflict: Analyse the dynamics of contemporary conflicts, the evolving nature of warfare, and the challenges to international security.
• Cyber threats and disinformation: Analyse the challenges posed by cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and the erosion of trust in digital information in a fast-changing technological environment.
• Global capitalism and economic inequality: Explore the impact of globalization on economic inequality, social justice, and labour rights.
• Peacebuilding and conflict resolution: Familiarise yourself with research-informed strategies to foster peace and rebuilding in conflict-affected societies.

A career focussed skill set

Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to build your academic and employability skills, giving you a strong foundation to excel in your future career. You will master research and data analysis techniques, vitally important for many competitive global careers. Driven by cutting-edge research and current global developments, hands-on projects and collaborative experiences that mirror the challenges of the professional world will equip you with the problem-solving and critical thinking skills to tackle these issues.

Putting this knowledge and skill set into practice, you will be supported in presenting your work across a range of mediums. You will learn through interactive and collaborative sessions such as policy labs, and simulations including mock select committees, mock citizens assembly and mock PMQs. To present your work, you could be creating a policy brief, podcast, reflective diary, blog, research portfolio, or policy memo and evaluation.

You will have the opportunity to boost your prospects further by applying for one of the annual internships offered by Lancaster’s Richardson Institute for Peace Studies. This competitive programme allows you to work alongside leading policy and research organisations whilst providing you with opportunities to:

• Publish your work
• Work with students across the school on high-impact research projects
• Work with organisations such as NGOs, think tanks, and charities
• Gain valuable work experience that will be attractive to future employers

As a BSc Marketing and Design student, you will be equipped with a strong foundation in the principles and practices of both marketing and design. Throughout the course, you will gain a deep understanding of the complementary and contrasting theoretical frameworks of marketing and design while developing essential design research skills and sharpening your critical thinking. You will learn how to respond to design briefs with creative experimentation and compelling visualisations. You will be able to commission design projects and effectively manage marketing strategies across diverse areas, from packaging to online advertising.

Careers

Additional fees and funding information accordion