History and International Relations

Futureproof your learning by studying the past and unlock your understanding of how the world works today on this challenging new course from Staffordshire University’s brilliant History, Politics and International Relations team.

Combining the approaches and theories of International Relations with studies of modern and contemporary history, this course provides you with insight into understanding the rapidly changing world around us. Wars, revolutions, the global economy, Brexit, climate change, society, migration and power all come together as themes in this carefully designed, immersive and overlapping programme of study.

The History and International Relations award aims to develop your understanding of world events and global trends, knowledge of which is becoming increasingly essential in a less predictable world including a post Brexit Britain. The course focusses on the challenges of international relations today as well as providing, through the study of history, examples of the ways through which those challenges have been met in the past. It fosters your all-important problem-solving, communication, research and inquiry skills; providing study activities and assessments that encourage independence of thought, originality, critical self-awareness and advances your future employability prospects. 

Guided by experts in international organisations, security and intelligence as well as historians with various national and thematic interests, Staffordshire University’s research-led approach allows you to really get under the skin of the subjects you choose, gradually specialising in a topic studied at significant depth for your dissertation. 

The BA Hons History and International Relations aims to produce graduates who are reflective and critical learners with a global perspective. There is also the option to complete a placement year with our BSc (Hons)  with a Placement Year route, whilst the Foundation Year route is designed for students who may not have the academic profile to go straight onto the three-year programme. 

Combining the approaches and theories of International Relations with studies of modern and contemporary history, this course provides you with insight into understanding the rapidly changing world around us. Wars, revolutions, the global economy, Brexit, climate change, society, migration and power all come together as themes in this carefully designed, immersive and overlapping programme of study.

The History and International Relations award aims to develop your understanding of world events and global trends, knowledge of which is becoming increasingly essential in a less predictable world including a post Brexit Britain. The course focusses on the challenges of international relations today as well as providing, through the study of history, examples of the ways through which those challenges have been met in the past. It fosters your all-important problem-solving, communication, research and inquiry skills; providing study activities and assessments that encourage independence of thought, originality, critical self-awareness and advances your future employability prospects.

Guided by experts in international organisations, security and intelligence as well as historians with various national and thematic interests, Staffordshire University’s research-led approach allows you to really get under the skin of the subjects you choose, gradually specialising in a topic studied at significant depth for your dissertation.

The BA (Hons) in History and International Relations aims to produce graduates who are reflective and critical learners with a global perspective.

The Foundation Year option is available for those who may not have the academic profile for direct entry onto the 3-year degree. It will prepare you for the History and International Relations degree by enhancing your skills with modules such as Introduction to Critical Thinking and Argument, Core Legal Skills and Academic Skills. The Foundation year is taught with the City of Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College, so you will be on the Staffordshire University Stoke on Trent campus and the college's campus for the first year.

Combining the approaches and theories of International Relations with studies of modern and contemporary history, this course provides you with insight into understanding the rapidly changing world around us. Wars, revolutions, the global economy, Brexit, climate change, society, migration and power all come together as themes in this carefully designed, immersive and overlapping programme of study.

The History and International Relations award aims to develop your understanding of world events and global trends, knowledge of which is becoming increasingly essential in a less predictable world including a post Brexit Britain. The course focusses on the challenges of international relations today as well as providing, through the study of history, examples of the ways through which those challenges have been met in the past. It fosters your all-important problem-solving, communication, research and inquiry skills; providing study activities and assessments that encourage independence of thought, originality, critical self-awareness and advances your future employability prospects.

Guided by experts in international organisations, security and intelligence as well as historians with various national and thematic interests, Staffordshire University’s research-led approach allows you to really get under the skin of the subjects you choose, gradually specialising in a topic studied at significant depth for your dissertation.

The BA (Hons) in History and International Relations aims to produce graduates who are reflective and critical learners with a global perspective. On the sandwich version of this course, you will complete a one-year placement after your second year to further your practical skills and employability.

Work placements

Work placements

Work placements

Students study combinations of core and optional modules across the degree. In the first year (Level 4) students are grounded both in the context of international history as well as how it can be studied with introductions to issues in international relations, global security and political thought.

In the second year (Level 5) students are provided with a core set of bespoke international relations modules and a history of international organisations as well as an array of specialist options specially selected for their relevance to contemporary issues in international politics. Students will study modules on the recent history of the Middle East, conflict and resolution in Northern Ireland and look at Gender History and Sexual Politics. Research methods are also taught in preparation for the final year’s research project.

In the final year (Level 6) the emphasis is very much on the practical deployment of the contextual knowledge and research skills honed in the previous two years with a wide variety of options to choose from and a final project to complete, working with a specialist in the student’s chosen field. Students are encouraged to apply what they have learned historically, conceptually, and theoretically to important foreign policy challenges today.

Students study combinations of core and optional modules across the degree. In Year 1 you will develop your academic skills by studying the foundation year modules, such as Introduction to Principles of Law, Introduction to Critical Thinking and Argument, and Academic Skills.

In the second year (Level 4) students are grounded both in the context of international history as well as how it can be studied with introductions to issues in international relations, global security and political thought.

In the third year (Level 5) students are provided with a core set of bespoke international relations modules and a history of international organisations as well as an array of specialist options specially selected for their relevance to contemporary issues in international politics. Students will study modules on the recent history of the Middle East, conflict and resolution in Northern Ireland and look at Gender History and Sexual Politics. Research methods are also taught in preparation for the final year’s research project.

In the final year (Level 6) the emphasis is very much on the practical deployment of the contextual knowledge and research skills honed in the previous two years with a wide variety of options to choose from and a final project to complete, working with a specialist in the student’s chosen field. Students are encouraged to apply what they have learned historically, conceptually, and theoretically to important foreign policy challenges today.

Students study combinations of core and optional modules across the degree. In the first year (Level 4) students are grounded both in the context of international history as well as how it can be studied with introductions to issues in international relations, global security and political thought.

In the second year (Level 5) students are provided with a core set of bespoke international relations modules and a history of international organisations as well as an array of specialist options specially selected for their relevance to contemporary issues in international politics. Students will study modules on the recent history of the Middle East, conflict and resolution in Northern Ireland and look at Gender History and Sexual Politics. Research methods are also taught in preparation for the final year’s research project.

On this award, you will complete a placement between your second and final year.

In the final year (Level 6) the emphasis is very much on the practical deployment of the contextual knowledge and research skills honed in the previous two years with a wide variety of options to choose from and a final project to complete, working with a specialist in the student’s chosen field. Students are encouraged to apply what they have learned historically, conceptually, and theoretically to important foreign policy challenges today.

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 20 and 40 academic credits.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6. The courses have one start point in September.

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 20 and 40 academic credits.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6. The courses have one start point in September.

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 20 and 40 academic credits.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6. The courses have one start point in September.