BA Degree in International Relations

BA Degree in International Relations
Programme Overview
The BA degree in International Relations (IR) prepares the student for work in international organisations, business, finance, the media and government agencies, which require articulate, clear thinking individuals with a grasp of contemporary political issues, succinct writing styles, and the ability to present complex arguments.
The degree is built on three core areas of IR: theory and concepts in IR; actors and institutions on the global stage, and contemporary issues and problems in international affairs. Students also take a range of optional courses in national, regional and globalisation studies, or addressing thematic areas of contemporary interest, allowing for specialisation within the major according to student interest.
IR at Richmond is a broad programme, which engages with question of security, conflict, nationalism and warfare, but also goes beyond this to address the politics of international law and institutions, the global economy, and issues pertaining to development and developing states.
The key difference between International Relations and Political Science is that IR focuses on ensuring students engage with key issues and problems in IR, understand the main actors and institutions in the international system, and have a strong grasp of IR Theory. This reflects the unique mission of the IR degree. To achieve this mission, the IR degree has different core courses to those offered in Political Science.
Programme Specification 2017-18