BSc International Relations and Social Policy

Key facts

3 years full time or 4 years with integrated placement year/year abroad

UCAS Code: LL2K

Typical Offers
A-levels: ABB from 3 A-levels. General Studies accepted. Aston DOES NOT accept the double AS qualification in lieu of 2 AS-levels.

IB: 32-34 points in the IB diploma including TOK/Bonus points. Standard level Maths and English 5 required.

Access: Pass Access to HE Diploma with Merit in each module. Humanities or Social Sciences Access course preferred, but other courses considered on an individual basis.

BTEC: National Extended Diploma DDD – DDM. Mix of Diploma/ Subsidiary Diploma/A-levels acceptable.

We accept a wide range of UK, EU and International qualifications: please contact us for further advice.

Specific subject requirements:
GCSE English Language and Maths Grade C.

Applicants receiving offers are invited to an open day.

Tuition fees: £9,000 (£1,000 during placement year) for UK/EU students. (2013). More on fees

Scholarships available for 2013

Key benefits

Aston is ranked 51st in the world for graduate employability as judged by employers. (2012 QS Guide to Global Universities)
Social Policy at Aston has been ranked 6th in the country in the Times Good University Guide 2013
92% of Social Policy students at Aston are satisfied with the quality of their course (National Student Survey, 2012)

Subject guide and modules

The International Relations strand of the course covers politics in the international realm. You will develop a knowledge and understanding of the nature of relations between states and also of the roles played by international institutions, other intergovernmental organisations, multinational corporations and NGOs.

The Social Policy strand of the course examines the major economic and social issues facing governments across the world, and the policies developed and delivered by governments and other organisations. It builds upon various A-levels, including Politics (e.g. the role of the Government), Sociology (e.g. modern forms of power), Economics (e.g. market failure), Geography (e.g. globalisation) and Business Studies (e.g. Government support for enterprise).

Josh Benjamin, winner of the LSS Student Video Competition, puts students on the spot and asks them to describe the School of Languages & Social Sciences in one word - 'I feel this shows viewers how the students themselves view the department they study in'.

Sample module options

The following module descriptions are indications only - the modules on offer and the content of the modules is subject to change.

Click on the module titles to find out more.

Year 1

This module offers an introduction into world politics and international relations. We inhabit a world of rapid change and solid knowledge of the underlying structures, dynamics and processes of international relations will be essential for your future professional (and private) life. During Teaching Period 1, we will focus on the pillars of the state system, introduce some key concepts, the theoretical traditions of realism and liberalism and examine the causes of cooperation and conflict. During Teaching Period 2, our emphasis will be on international law and international organisations such as the UN and the EU. We will also look at the structure of the global political economy, analysing the global financial system, international trade and development. We will also investigate topics such as environmental issues, terrorism and religion in international relations.

Assessment: Two-Hour exam at the end of each Teaching Period (50% each)

This module provides you with a good knowledge of formulating and analyzing research questions and presenting sources in an academically relevant way. Students will be able to learn to research, plan and structure an essay; acquire language specific features of essay writing; identify the research tools in the library; work into a virtual learning environment; and use electronic resources to polish their work.

Assessment: A Take Away Paper at the end of the Teaching Period.

This module provides an analytical and substantive overview of European history from 1789 to the present, with a focus on the post-1945 period. The module is structured thematically. Students will analyse and interrogate certain critical junctures in European history that have determined the shape of both the European continent and the contemporary world. The primary aim of the course is to provide an empirical background for students in the international history of Europe from the 19^th to 21^st centuries that will allow students to apply, contextualise and better understand the political science and international relations theories that form the focus of the other core modules.

Assessment: two examinations, 1x 2 hour (January), 1x 3 hour (May).

This module seeks to provide you with a good understanding of the drivers for change in welfare and public services in recent years and in historical and comparative perspective. You will gain knowledge of the theoretical and ideological basis of welfare and public services reform. In the first term we focus on key theoretical concepts and explanations of welfare states and welfare state change. In the second term we analyse processes of change in key public services. The programme is delivered through lectures, student presentations and class discussion. Assessment: two class tests during teaching period 1 (40%); a 2,500 word assignment in teaching period 2.

The module introduces students to public policy and the many forms it can take. It examines in detail the institutions of policy making. Particular attention is paid to Westminster models of government compared with other models of government and policy – notably European and US models– and the ways in which the Westminster model has come to be challenged, both internally and externally. Finally, the module examines various models of policy making and analysis, including those which see policy making as an exercise in more or less rational decision-making and those which place much greater emphasis on values, beliefs and meanings.

Assessment method: short essay (5%), exam (45%) in TP1. Essay (50%) TP2.

This module seeks to introduce students to sociological thinking around two key and overlapping areas; ‘social identities’ and ‘social inequalities’. During Teaching Period 1, the emphasis will lie on learning how to develop critical analytical skills and introducing concepts of social class, ‘race’ nation. During Teaching Period 2, the module will focus more on gender and sexuality. The aim with all of these sets of identities is to establish the ways in which they are constructed, and the maps of social inequalities on which they can be located.

Assessment: Class test In Teaching Period 1 (10%); Assessed essay in Teaching Period 2 (40%); 2-hour exam in summer exam period (50 per cent each).

This course offers an introduction to the sociology of culture through the study of ‘popular culture’ (film, television, virtual media, popular music and art, advertising and informal education). The first part outlines sociological definitions of ‘culture’, illustrating how sociologists study culture and the methods we use to analyse cultural practices and products in a critical way. The second part interrogates different theoretical approaches to popular culture – culture as meaning-making in everyday life, culture as an instrument of domination and culture as a form of resistance – using case studies to explore the politics of culture in contemporary society.

Assessment: Portfolio of coursework, due during exam period (100%)

Year 2

This module seeks to provide you with a strong understanding of the institutional configuration of the EU and how these institutions have been shaped by the relations between member states of the European Union. The module introduces you to the theories of European integration, and challenges you to assess competing views on the dynamics of the integration process over time. In the second part of the module, we explore a core set of policies areas of the EU, and students are asked to relate the politics and institutional make-up of the EU to developments in those policy fields.

Assessment: A 2-hour exam at the beginning of Teaching Period 2.

This module introduces students to key debates in security studies. The course is a mix of theoretical inquiry and empirical application. First, the module introduces students to the development of key theoretical perspectives in security studies., such as the traditional schools of realism and liberalism, through to critical security studies, constructivism and human security amongst others. After this, the module moves on to a range of traditional and non-traditional security challenges, and using the theoretical frameworks introduced, discusses issues including warfare, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking and the defence trade.

Assessment: exam (50%) and 2,000 – 3,000 word group report (50%)

This course introduces students to a variety of texts in the canon of political philosophy. It begins with an account of ancient political philosophy taking into account the writings of Greek and Roman philosophers (Plato, Aristotle and Cicero) before delving into significant pre-modern authors; namely, Aquinas and the scholastic movement. The second half of the course examines enlightened and modern themes of political philosophy through a thematic investigation of the social contract tradition, utilitarianism and modern criticisms of these ideas.

Students are expected to produce two research papers (one per teaching period) and sit a cumulative final two-hour exam.

Analysing dynamics and events in world politics does not happen in a conceptual and theoretical vacuum. Theoretical approaches provide us with the tools to make sense of the complex and colourful reality that is contemporary international relations. In this 20-cr module we will look at the various competing theoretical frameworks of international relations. We will learn how international relations has developed as an academic discipline through the analysis of four theoretical debates that constitute international relations. We will also discuss how political philosophy has influenced the way we view contemporary world politics.

Assessment: Essay in Teaching Period 1 (50%), Exam in Teaching Period 2 (50%)

This module seeks to provide you with a broad understanding of the design and conduct of research into political and social topics. Students learn about the basic concepts related to the design and conduct of research, such as ontology and epistemology. They also learn about the main schools of political and social enquiry and the tools that are utilised in social science research. There is analysis of the main traps and pitfalls in the way that data is collected, manipulated and presented, so that students avoid these traps and are alert to abuses by others.

Assessment: An assignment or assignments to the equivalent of 1,800 words in TP2.

This module introduces you to different variations of English, including: social and regional variation; Englishes around the world and differences between spoken and written modes.

The context for the module will be set by considering how language and work are inter-related on a macro scale. It will look at the impact of global trends on both work and language practices, as increasing numbers of business enterprises trade across national borders, necessitating international – and ‘intercultural’ – communication. The remainder of the module will take a more micro perspective, reviewing the ways in which speakers, writers and readers make use of particular kinds of discourse in work-related communication.

This module aims to introduce you to the ways in which media texts both reflect and construct our social practice and values. It addresses a range of issues, such as what makes something newsworthy, whether there is objectivity in news reporting, whether different social groups are equally represented in mass media texts, and what part visual images and layout play in our media messages; and it introduces you to a variety of methods for describing and critically evaluating media texts in relation to these issues.

This is an introductory course to TESOL. By the end of the module, the students will have become aware of the basic requirements of a teacher of English to speakers of other languages. They will have had the chance to develop some of the skills necessary for the TESOL teacher. The emphasis will be on developing the skills, organisational and pedagogical, which will allow them to teach or tutor their specialism. The areas covered will be course and syllabus design, materials evaluation and preparation, strategies for teaching lexis and grammar, lesson planning, delivery and evaluation.

Assessment method: essay (30%), exam (70%)

Year 3 - Placement Year

Final Year

The Office of President of the United States is arguably the most powerful political office in the world. Its incumbents not only provide interesting case studies on strong Executive leadership within the constitutional framework of the USA, their actions (and inactions) also tend to have far-reaching consequences far beyond the US borders (“Leader of the Free World”). This 10-credit Final Year Elective module looks at the US Presidency in its constitutional, political and socio-economic context, as well as investigating Presidential action at key periods, drawing on both historical and current examples.

Assessment: 3,000 words essay (100%).

This module examines theories of leadership, and looks at the evolution of the phenomenon, in Europe and the United States, in Latin America, and beyond. We focus particularly upon the rhetoric and styles of particular leaders, and the ways in which they persuade and generate allegiance. How they ‘perform’ and what are the historical, cultural, and institutional conditions of their performance. We look at a range of leaders, often comparing them – Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, for example, or Churchill and de Gaulle. Some leaders we look at in minute detail: JFK’s press conferences, MLK’s March on Washington speech, X’s The Ballot or the Bullet, etc. We also look at particular issues, such as the changing conditions of leadership style, women in politics, political rhetoric, the role of culture, and the role of the media.

Assessment: 3, 000-word essay

The module offers an introduction to central and east European politics. It begins with an overview of the events that led up to the collapse of communism, before considering the key themes that have dominated politics in this region since 1989. These include economic reform, democratic transition, institutional design, nationalism, security questions, accession to Nato and the EU and so on.

Assessment: 1x 3000-word essay to be submitted at the end of the module.

This course aims to enable students to research in significant depth a topic in Politics, and address and elaborate key concepts used in the analysis of historical, political, social and cultural institutions and processes. This knowledge, and drawing upon previous modules studied in levels 1 and 2 form the conceptual, methodological and analytical bases for research into their topic. Students will produce an independently researched piece of work, supervised by a lecturer from Politics and International Relations.

Assessment 4,000-6,000 word dissertation (100%)

Extended Politics Dissertation (LP3006): 10,000 word dissertation (80%) and oral exam (20%)

This module considers the countries of the Western Balkans (Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia and Kosovo) on their path to European integration and efforts in dealing with legacies of conflict and transition. The module begins by looking at the recent past of the area – the 1991 collapse of Yugoslavia, 1992-1999 conflicts – and how these events have influence the subsequent political development of the successor states. The module then considers the region’s various challenges including post-conflict governance, statehood, intervention, ethnic tensions, war crimes, Kosovo independence and EU integration.

Assessment: 3,000 word policy brief (100%)

This module introduces students to the contemporary issues and challenges facing governments in managing public expenditure, with particular reference to a number of policy arenas and experiences in European countries. This includes analysis of the political, historical and social factors influencing government expenditure decisions, international comparisons of government expenditure regimes, and public expenditure and welfare Services. Particular focus is also placed on the contemporary public deficit in many Western countries, including discussion of how such a situation has arisen and the various efforts to reduce deficits. The assessment is via a two-hour closed book examination.

This module provides students with a thorough grounding in the most influential approaches to explaining social policy development across nations. It examines traditional approaches to welfare state development and critiques of these approaches. The module also examines theories concerning welfare state retrenchment (those claiming there is a ‘new politics’ of welfare), and examines different core areas within social policy. Each area is chosen both for its overall importance within the mixed economy of welfare provision, and because it highlights differences in social policy-making and implementation between nations, and the challenges of social policy reform.

Assessment: 10% participation (assessed by module tutor), 90% written exam following end of module

The module has three core functions. First, it introduces students to the concept of ‘governance’, and indicates how this differs from traditional conceptions of ‘government’. It examines how ‘governance’ can be deployed in a variety of different ways, by considering the various governing functions. The module then considers in detail new governing methods such as the use of agencies, markets and networks. Finally, the module examines how governments have attempted to control these various types of governance, through the use of performance management and self-regulation.

Assessment: 10% participation (assessed by module tutor), 90% written exam following end of module

This module introduces students to different types of economic development policy, the environment in which such policies arise, and the interaction between different organisations in the development and delivery of policies. This includes topics such globalisation, city marketing and community economic development. Particular focus is placed on the examination of different types of economic development policy through the exploration of contemporary case studies in a range of countries. Through such an approach it is possible to examine the complexities of creating and delivering policies. The assessment is via a two-hour closed book examination.

Placement Year

The Placement Year is optional for students studying International Relations and Social Policy. If you choose to take a placement year, this will take place during your third year at Aston and is worth 10% of the final degree result. Unlike some other universities, the placement year at Aston is not a ''bolt-on'' year, it is an integral part of your degree for which you are prepared in your second year.

A distinctive feature of our placement year is the flexibility that we offer. You will be able to choose between undertaking a paid work-experience placement with a company or working as a teaching assistant in a school (either in the UK or abroad) - you might even choose to combine two of these options.

We are extremely proud of the high level of preparation, orientation and support that we provide before and during your year abroad. We have a full-time Placements Team who will give you plenty of individual help and advice, and even come and visit you during your time away.

Find out more about the Placement Year.

Learning, teaching and assessment

You will be involved in lectures and seminars, small group work projects and independent study. Many of your modules will be in workshop format, alternating theoretical input with practical analysis, and allowing you to test out your understanding in discussion with other students and your tutor. There are also opportunities fro group and collaborative work. Students undertake a major piece of independent research in Final Year. You will be allocated an academic supervisor for this work and a Personal Tutor who can provide you with help and advice throughout your studies.

Assessment is through a combination of exams, project-based course work, essays, presentations and an extended dissertation during your Final Year.

Career prospects

Aston is ranked 5th in the UK and 1st outside London for graduate employability - beating Oxbridge (2012 Sunday Times University Guide).

Our graduates are in demand from a wide range of employers who value their understanding of different cultures and societies, their communication skills and motivation for team work. Recent destinations for our Languages and Social Sciences graduates include:

Graduate Trainee Managers for British Airways, Aldi Stores, John Lewis Partnership and Selfridges
Journalist for Tatler Magazine
European Union/European Parliament Officers/Assistants
Marketing Assistant at Beiersdorf (makers of NIVEA amongst other products)
Trainee Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers
Case Worker - Crown Prosecution Service
PhD Forensic Linguistics - Aston University
MSc Human Resource Management, King's College London
Tenancy Support Worker, Midland Heart

Facilities & equipment

The School of Languages and Social Sciences has a dedicated Learning Support Team and excellent facilities including:

70 computers in 4 rooms
Free DVD library (French, Spanish, German, English)
Audio and video-editing tools
corpus linguistics tools (Wordsmith and Antconc)
research software (NVIVO and PASW/SPSS)

Teaching staff

Read what the International Relations staff have to say about the course:

Dr Nathaniel Copsey, Head of Politics and International Relations, Co-Director of the Aston Centre for Europe (ACE)

"Politics and international relations at Aston offers a fascinating insight into the challenges facing our societies in the 21st century. It is also home to the Aston Centre for Europe, a world-class research facility for the study of Europe which provides access the most up-to-date new thinking on all matters relating to Europe. We aim to prepare our students thoroughly for demanding, often international, careers and the placement year gives our students a distinct advantage on the graduate labour market.''

Contact us

School of Languages and Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions
Tel: 0121 204 3700
Email: lss_ugadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Student Profile

Katrina Rattu

BSc Politics with International Relations

During my Placement Year I participated in the Erasmus scheme and it is the best thing that I have ever done! Studying in Turkey has so much to offer socially, culturally and academically. I visited Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and traveled within Turkey.

BSc International Relations and Business

BSc International Relations and Sociology

Fees & funding

Find out about tuition fees & student loans, and the bursaries and scholariships available.

Accommodation

All our accommodation is based on campus and over 80% of our rooms are ensuite. We offer a guarenteed place scheme for first years.

Student life

Our city centre location gives you the best of both worlds: a welcoming, lively campus community, in the heart of a vibrant city.

Student support - we're with you all the way

We offer a range of support services to ensure your time here is a success in academic, social and personal terms.

Outstanding graduate career prospects

Aston is ranked 5th in the UK, and the best outside London, for the percentage of graduates entering employment who achieve graduate level jobs (Sunday Times University Guide 2012)

Birmingham - home to 65,000 students!

With fantastic nightlife, great restaurants, beautiful parks, superb shopping and much more, Birmingham is a true student city.

International students

Aston offers a world-class education and is home to students from over 120 countries.

Learn a language alongside your course

Whatever course you are studying, you can choose to study a language whilst you are at Aston. Improving your cultural awareness and career prospects.

BSc International Relations and Social Policy

Key facts

Key benefits

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Sample module options

Dr Nathaniel Copsey, Head of Politics and International Relations, Co-Director of the Aston Centre for Europe (ACE)

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