BSc (Hons) Politics with International Relations
Course Overview
Studying BSc (Hons) Politics with International Relations at Aston University will equip you with a profound understanding of global politics and international dynamics, fostering critical thinking and practical skills. You will have the opportunity to explore major political topics going beyond the UK and Europe, covering Africa, Asia and North America. You will not only study the traditional subjects of the discipline, including security, political economy or democracy, but also have the chance to investigate exciting topics such as gender, religion, sports or technology.
Key Program Highlights
- Experiential learning: Experience learning by doing with innovative modules like the award-winning EuroSim module
- Top 5% in the world: Top 5% of global evaluated institutions (QS World University Rankings 2027)
- Highly ranked: Aston University ranked 15th overall in the UK for International Relations (Guardian, 2026)
- Gold standard teaching: Aston University was awarded Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)
- Earn more: Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £33,200 three years after graduating (Politics, Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2025)
Course Overview
Studying BSc (Hons) Politics with International Relations at Aston University will equip you with a profound understanding of global politics and international dynamics, fostering critical thinking and practical skills. You will have the opportunity to explore major political topics going beyond the UK and Europe, covering Africa, Asia and North America. You will not only study the traditional subjects of the discipline, including security, political economy or democracy, but also have the chance to investigate exciting topics such as gender, religion, sports or technology.
Key Program Highlights
- Experiential learning: Experience learning by doing with innovative modules like the award-winning EuroSim module
- Top 5% in the world: Top 5% of global evaluated institutions (QS World University Rankings 2027)
- Highly ranked: Aston University ranked 15th overall in the UK for International Relations (Guardian, 2026)
- Gold standard teaching: Aston University was awarded Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)
- Earn more: Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £33,200 three years after graduating (Politics, Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2025)
Requirements
Modules
- Introduction to Studying and Researching Politics
- Introduction to the Concepts and Methods of International Relations
- British Politics since 1990
- Introduction to the European Union
- The Making of the Modern World
- What’s Trending (Current Affairs in Politics and International Relations)
- Political Theories and Ideologies
- Comparative Government and Politics
- International Relations: Theories
- Critical Approaches to Security Studies
- Politics and Society of the Middle East
- West European Politics and Society
- North American Politics and Society
- East Asian Politics and Society
- South Asian Politics and Society
- Security Studies: Theories and Issues
- The Politics and Policies of the European Union
- Political Economy: Approaches, Concepts and Issues
- International Political Economy
- International Climate Politics
- Digital Methods for Social Science and the Humanities
- Integrated Placement Year
- Research Skills and Extended Dissertation (Politics or International Relations)
- African Politics: From the Colonial Period to the Present Day
- The American Presidency
- Chinese Politics and Society
- Writing and Reporting of Conflict and Violence
- EuroSim: Learning Negotiation through Simulation Games
- Gender and Politics
- Interest Groups and Lobbying
- Politics and Islam: Past and Present
- Politics of Development
- Religion and Politics in Contemporary Europe
- Sport and Politics
- Technology and Digital Politics
- Debates in Contemporary British Politics
- Political Parties
- Understanding Foreign Policy
