In year 1, you will take three introductory modules,
Introduction to International Relations I: Perspectives, and
Introduction to International Relations II: Themes and Issues, and
Academic Literacy in Politics and International Relations.
In years 2 and 3, you can choose from a range of
advanced modules that focus on different aspects of international
relations.
In year 3, you are expected to choose six honours-level
modules from a range reflecting the research expertise of staff. You
may choose to write a dissertation in your final year as part of the
honours component of the course. This is an extended piece of original
research which offers you the opportunity to specialise in one of your
fields or to combine them both in an interdisciplinary project.
International Relations is a combined honours degree, which means you
study it alongside another subject. Please see the 'Combine with...'
tab for the list of possible subject combinations. You can also study
the following combinations as single honours courses:
Study modules
As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here.
Year 1 and 2
Year 1
Compulsory:
- Introduction to International Relations I: Perspectives
- Introduction to International Relations II: Themes and Issues
- Academic Literacy in Politics and International Relations
Elective:
- Introduction to Politics
- Politics in Comparative Perspective
Year 2
Compulsory:
- Researching Politics and International Relations I: Analytical Modes
Elective:
- Researching Politics and International Relations II: Methods
- Current issues in Politics and International Relations
- The Global Political Economy
- Global Governance and Civil Society
- Contemporary Security Studies
- Nationalism, Identity and Ethnicity
- Russia and East Europe After Lenin
- International Trade and Migration
- Work-Based Learning
Years 3
Honours modules:
- Global Environmental Politics
- Conflict and Peacebuilding
- International Human Rights Law
- International Law and Institutions
- Theory and Practice of Human Rights
- Violence, Resistance and Identity Politics
- International Development
- Counter Terrorism in Comparative Perspective
- Central Asia in Global Politics: Beyond Oil and Islam
- Postcolonial Perspectives on Western Culture and Politics
- Independent Study
- Dissertation in International Relations
- Interdisciplinary Dissertation in Internaional Relations
- Militarism and Society
- Law, Empires and Revolution
- The Ethics of Migration and Immigration
- The European Union: Integration and Disintegration
Modules in detail » Module diagrams »
Work placements
Our work placement module offers students the opportunity to build on
the skills and knowledge gained in the level 4 modules by undertaking a
placement with organisations that are engaged in areas relevant to the
study of International Relations. You will be able to evaluate and
reflect critically upon this experience in a module that links theory
and practice of International Relations in a professional context.
Students organise placements themselves, and are responsible for their
own travel and associated costs - it is advised that they organise
placements bearing this in mind. Oxfordshire based placements are
accessible via public transport - often via the University’s subsidised
BROOKESbus service, which is free to bus pass holders. Placements in
London will incur higher travel costs; for example, a day return ticket
on the Oxford Tube costs £14 (subject to change, for the latest fares
see the Oxford Tube website).
It is encouraged that students explore opportunities for their
placement provider to cover travel costs if they opt for a placement
which is not local.
Study abroad
International Relations students are actively encouraged to study for part of their degree at other universities. With over 100 partner institutions across the world, Oxford Brookes can offer a great overseas study experience. Within Europe the Erasmus programme includes opportunities at Free University Amsterdam and The University of Tampere, Finland. In the past, students have also taken advantage of opportunities to study in the USA, Kazakhstan and Australia.
Studying abroad provides an amazing opportunity to add value to your studies by:
- increasing your employability within an international market
- boosting your language skills
- building your confidence in adapting to new situations
- improving your knowledge of different cultures.
While on exchange you will gain credits which count towards your degree.
Tuition fees are paid as they would be if you remained in the UK, either to Oxford Brookes via your Student Loan or directly to Oxford Brookes according to your preference.
You will be responsible for all other costs such as accommodation, purchasing your airfares, travel and health insurance and visas. Funding is available through the Erasmus scheme, and also via some international programmes such as the Santander Student Awards.
There is also a European work placement programme which gives you the chance to work abroad as part of your studies.
For more information, visit our pages on studying abroad and exchanges.
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Please note that the free language courses are not available if you are:
- studying at a Brookes partner college
- studying on any of our teacher education courses or postgraduate education courses.
Additional costs
We do not expect students to purchase any compulsory course books, as they are all available in the library. If students wish to purchase additional books to supplement their reading, this is at their own discretion.
Programme changes
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published
on the website. For more information, please visit our
Changes to programmes
page.