Economics, Politics and International Relations - 2012 entry
BA (Hons)
- single
Typical A-level offer: BCC or equivalent
Overview
This course is run by the Business School
This course is designed to give you the skills and knowledge to look behind the headlines and understand the forces shaping the contemporary world. You will graduate with knowledge of recent developments in the global economy and how these are linked with political changes at the national and international level. The specialist expertise you develop in economic and political analysis will prepare you for challenging international roles.
In recent years both financial turmoil and ecological change have shown how political and economic developments cannot be separated and how both of these are international in character. Longer-term economic questions such as poverty, migration, trade relations and the rise of powers such as China and India all affect, and are influenced by, national governments and their relations with each other. This course allows you to explore these relationships in detail, linking theory and practice at each stage as you examine issues which are central to the lives of most of the world's population.
Why Brookes?
Business at Oxford Brookes is known internationally for its learning and teaching, evidenced by the achievement of top scores in the last quality review. We adopt an innovative approach to teaching, which helps the student learning experience to be vibrant and engaging. Our students develop skills in critical enquiry along with a firm grounding in business practice which, together, enable them to confidently take on the demands of graduate jobs in leading international businesses.
We are the only business school to host a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (in assessment) as well as the two national Higher Education Academy Subject Centres in business and management disciplines (Business, Management, Accounting and Finance, and Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism), putting us at the centre of business education in the UK.
We firmly believe learning should be exciting as well as challenging. Students are encouraged to take an active approach to their studies through, for example, problem solving classes, dragons’ den type assessments involving local employers and working with actors to develop presentation skills. At the Business School we want you to enjoy developing the skills you will need to succeed in the competitive business world.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Throughout the course you will have close contact with your personal tutor and you will be taught through workshops and seminar discussions, supplemented and supported by lectures. Within these workshops students will be given the opportunity to participate in activities such as group presentations, role plays, analysis of numerical data, discussions of topical material (for example newspaper articles, videos and websites) and computer-based simulations.
Lectures, seminars and workshops will be supplemented by a range of activities undertaken outside class. These will include a substantial e-learning component to the degree, providing the opportunity to undertake self-study quizzes and diagnostic assessments, to participate in online discussion groups and to work in groups to prepare wikis as part of the assessment process. E-learning activities will be complementary to face-to-face learning, forming part of a blended approach.
The degree will incorporate outside speakers and field trips wherever possible. Practitioners from outside academia are employed to run workshops at specific points in order to provide specialised input which can help to develop particular skills. Examples here might be the use of professional actors to develop presentation skills and financial journalists to develop investigative and research skills.
Assessment plays a key role in ensuring that students develop and demonstrate the required knowledge and skills to complete their program. Some modules are assessed solely by coursework or by examination, but the majority of the modules use a combination of both forms of assessment.
You will benefit from ongoing, in-depth specific feedback on your work, rather than relying only on summative feedback at the end of modules. You will know specifically what areas to focus on with your personal tutor to develop your skills and knowledge for your future career.
In detail
DOWNLOADS
RELATED COURSES:
- Accounting and Finance
- Business Management
- Business and Enterprise
- Business and Management
- Business and Marketing Management
- Business, Management and Communications
- Business
- Economics, Finance and International Business
- Information Technology Management for Business
- International Business Management
- International Business
- International Hospitality Management
Course content
Studying economics, politics and international relations means studying the real world - and developing the skills to make sense of that world. In each year your time will be divided between modules from economics and politics or international relations. You view the course structure here.
Year 1
The first year of the course provides a firm grounding in the three disciplines of economics, politics and international relations.
Year 2 and final year
In the second and final years you specialise either in economics and politics or in economics and international relations. In both cases, you will develop your understanding of the central elements of economic and political theory in your second year. The final year of the degree allows you to take a range of specialist options and to work on an independent study project or dissertation, enabling you to pursue your own interests in depth. Modules examine areas like environmental economics, the political economy of international trade, political thought, globalisation and democracy, international human rights and the global political economy.
During the course you gain the confidence to create detailed and well-informed reports, present arguments persuasively, think critically and strategically, and work co-operatively in cross-cultural teams.
You can read detailed descriptions of some of the modules here.
Work placements
Students will be offered the option of a work placement between their second and final years. Previous students have enjoyed exciting and intellectually challenging positions at Microsoft, the Government Economic Service, Rolls-Royce, Oxford Economic Forecasting, Marriott, Four Seasons, Caterpillar, Innocent, Hewlett-Packard and a host of other organisations, many of which operate internationally.
Study abroad
Information about exchanges, European work placements and other study abroad programmes, is available here.
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Key facts
DOWNLOADS
RELATED COURSES:
- Accounting and Finance
- Business Management
- Business and Enterprise
- Business and Management
- Business and Marketing Management
- Business, Management and Communications
- Business
- Economics, Finance and International Business
- Information Technology Management for Business
- International Business Management
- International Business
- International Hospitality Management
Department
Course length
Full-time: 3 years, or 4 with a work placement
Part-time: up to 8 years
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane / Wheatley Campus
Start date
September
2012
January
2013
UCAS code
LL21 BA/IX
Fees / funding
DOWNLOADS
RELATED COURSES:
- Accounting and Finance
- Business Management
- Business and Enterprise
- Business and Management
- Business and Marketing Management
- Business, Management and Communications
- Business
- Economics, Finance and International Business
- Information Technology Management for Business
- International Business Management
- International Business
- International Hospitality Management
Tuition fees
UK/EU students
Full-time: £9,000
Part-time: £750 per module. You can take up to five modules per academic year.
International students
Full-time: £11,000
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk
Funding and scholarships
For general sources of financial support, see:
Apply / Entry reqs
DOWNLOADS
RELATED COURSES:
- Accounting and Finance
- Business Management
- Business and Enterprise
- Business and Management
- Business and Marketing Management
- Business, Management and Communications
- Business
- Economics, Finance and International Business
- Information Technology Management for Business
- International Business Management
- International Business
- International Hospitality Management
Typical offers
A-level: BCC or equivalent
IB Diploma: 29 points
Advanced Diploma: grade B, including A-level at grade C
BTEC National Diploma: DMM
AS-levels will be recognised in place of a maximum of one A-level (may include a 12-unit vocational A-level).
Key skills are not required but would be a positive feature of an application, as would free-standing AS-levels such as Critical Thinking.
Specific entry requirements
GCSE: Mathematics (grade B or above) and English (grade C or above)
Please also see the university's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
Please see the university's standard English language requirements.
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Full-time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Student experience
DOWNLOADS
RELATED COURSES:
- Accounting and Finance
- Business Management
- Business and Enterprise
- Business and Management
- Business and Marketing Management
- Business, Management and Communications
- Business
- Economics, Finance and International Business
- Information Technology Management for Business
- International Business Management
- International Business
- International Hospitality Management
Why Oxford is a great place to study Economics, Politics and International Relations
Oxford is a truly cosmopolitan and culturally-vibrant city of learning. Besides the activities and facilities offered by Oxford Brookes itself, students have access to a wide range of public events organised by both the City of Oxford and by Oxford University. The Sheldonian Theatre, for example, has hosted public lectures by renowned speakers such as Nobel Prize winner in Economics Professor Joseph Stiglitz, well known for his critque of globalisation. Students undertaking their dissertation will also benefit from the world-class facilities offered by the Bodleian Library.
General support services
Supporting your learning
From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.
Personal support services
We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.
Accommodation
At Brookes we understand that when you live away from home it's important to be somewhere that you feel comfortable and safe.
After graduation
DOWNLOADS
RELATED COURSES:
- Accounting and Finance
- Business Management
- Business and Enterprise
- Business and Management
- Business and Marketing Management
- Business, Management and Communications
- Business
- Economics, Finance and International Business
- Information Technology Management for Business
- International Business Management
- International Business
- International Hospitality Management
Career prospects
The Economics, Politics and International Relations degree equips you for future careers in organisations such as multinational companies, government departments, national and international regulators, non-governmental organisations, charities and financial institutions. It will prepare you for work either as an economist, a political researcher, a business analyst or for more general management positions.
Our aim is to give you a stimulating and rewarding experience and to prepare you for employment. Our active Careers and Employment Centre ensures that students have help in finding the right job.
