Curious about studying International Relations with Politics - BA (Hons)at Leeds Beckett University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
City CampusC
Full Time
Sep 2027
3 Year
Make sense of a changing world
Why do conflicts happen? Who holds power on the global stage? How do international organisations respond to today’s biggest challenges? Understand the forces shaping our future – and discover the role you could play in influencing it. Explore the ideas, events, and power structures shaping global politics. On this course, you’ll develop the confidence to question assumptions, debate complex issues, and build your own informed perspective. As part of this course, you’ll: * Critically explore politics as you examine some of the pressing issues facing us today, such as climate change, human rights, migration, and the crisis of capitalism * Investigate why some of the world’s biggest issues – including security, poverty, debt, and famine – persist, and examine how international cooperation seeks to address them * Discover how diplomacy, negotiation, and international policy can influence peace, security, and global change * Study global inequality, shifting power between nations, and the changing balance of influence around the world * Explore how defining moments such as the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, globalisation, and emerging security threats continue to influence today’s international landscape * Discuss contemporary issues, challenge different viewpoints, and build the confidence to defend your ideas Tailor your degree through optional modules, specialist pathways, and your own dissertation topic
Find out moreInternational perspective
Develop a global outlook that goes beyond the headlines. Learn to see global events from multiple perspectives, understanding not just what’s happening, but why it matters and what could happen next. You'll explore how international organisations such as the World Bank (WB), World Trade Organisation (WTO), and United Nations (UN) influence global affairs, while examining both their successes and limitations.
Research expertiseLearn from academics whose research influences debates on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, international activism, and global development. Their expertise brings fresh perspectives and the latest global developments directly into your teaching.
Build your future potentialComplete a volunteering placement of your choice, gaining valuable experience while developing your understanding of citizenship and society, as well as the skills employers are looking for.
Why study the BA International Relations course (with pathways) at Leeds Beckett University?*
Choose from specialist pathwaysin global development, politics, or human rights, with flexibility to change direction after Year 1 *
Build real-world experienceby completing volunteering and placement opportunities *
Hear from leading political voicesthrough our Politics & International Relations Festival, with previous speakers including Sir Keir Starmer, David Miliband, and Caroline Lucas *
Learn from research-active academicsworking on global development, peacebuilding, and international activism *
Develop the knowledge and transferable skillsfor careers tackling today’s global challenges
Explore a series of real world concerns as a starting point from which to look at issues in contemporary political theory. By looking at issues such as freedom, equality, violence and rights, you will attempt to provoke critical engagement and reflection on the contested nature of contemporary political theory. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Look at the key actors and institutions in the international system, and more broadly to the study of international relations. You will explore the roles key states, regional organisations and groupings, international organisations, NGOs and transnational actors play in the international order. You will examine how their power, role and significance have been affected by change and evolution in the international system, and how in turn these affect the processes of interaction, cooperation and conflict. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Understand the the nature and structure of the international system, and how modern states evolve and develop. Consider the evolution of the 20th Century States System, beginning with the decline of pax-Britannica, the inter-war crisis, the emergence of pax-Americana, the establishment and design of key international institutions, the Cold War, the end of the Cold War, rise of non-state actors, globalisation, the decline of the west and the rise of China, the ongoing economic crisis and democratisation. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Gain a critical introduction to the history and contemporary evolution of political economy. You will engage with a variety of key historical thinkers and theoretical approaches in order to develop a qualitative understanding of the rich tapestry of political economy. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Study the main theories of international relations, including realism, liberalism, Marxism, the English School and constructivism. You will look at methodological issues in social studies including classical, positivist and post-positivist concerns. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Investigate the concept of citizenship and actively engage with it by undertaking a voluntary placement. This placement will be related to the scope of your course and reflect on their experiences to enhance your employability. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Inequality is everywhere. People are treated differently or affected disproportionately because of their gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, age, disability, and immigration status. In this module you will conduct research on how inequalities are present at local, national and global levels. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Study an overview of contemporary environmental debates, with a particular focus on climate change and its consequences. You will critically assess the evidence for global environmental crisis, and efforts at global cooperation to address the issues, considering issues such as responsibility, and the role of environmental movements and alternative models of development. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Gain an overview of contemporary security issues, encompassing different perspectives from the state to the individual, and how security threats have changed over time and continue to change. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
This module will provide an advanced introduction to current debates about the persisting relevance of colonialism to thinking about politics today. It will introduce you to the critical theoretical literature around 'coloniality' and race from post-colonial and decolonial perspectives and applies these ideas to contemporary political issues. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
You'll study either Policy Making or Making Sense of British Politics.
Focus on a subject of your choosing related to politics and your own future aspirations. You will be required to select a politics-based dissertation topic and to engage with theoretical, methods and empirical material that is appropriate to study in this field. You will identify, plan and deliver a sustained and in-depth piece of work, linking it to theory, and critically reflect on your subject matter and research findings. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
You'll study either Policy Making or Making Sense of British Politics.
Get an introduction to the ideas of global governance and globalisation and the intersection between them. You will begin to think critically about future patterns of world order and their institutionalisation. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
You'll study either Policy Making or Making Sense of British Politics.
Investigate the operation, practice and context of contemporary diplomacy and international relations. You will explore traditional forms of and approaches to diplomacy and analyse the impact of changes in the international system on the practice and operation of international relations in order to understand contemporary forms of diplomacy. You will analyse diplomacy in the context of the cold war and post cold war, the rise of new actors in international diplomacy and the impact of technology and the media on international relations. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
104-112 Grades/points required
Not currently available, please Contact University for up to date information.
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