Politics & International Relations Northeastern University London

The opportunity to study Politics & International Relations at our campus in London offers the city as a classroom, with the seat of the UK government and many of its agencies, prominent international organisations (e.g. UN IMO), world-renowned research institutes (e.g. Chatham House - The Royal Institute of International Affairs), think-tanks (e.g. Adam Smith Institute), policy centres (e.g. Global Policy Institute), and many archives and libraries immediately surrounding our campus, and offering students one of the most current and vibrant environments to pursue the political discourses defining our present and future.

The BSc (Hons) Politics & International Relations degree comprises: (1) political science - analysing the organisation of government and society; (2) political theory - examining normative questions, political ideas, and ideologies; and (3) international relations - the only disciplinary field specifically concerned with the international problems of war, peace, security, economy, globalisation, and the conflicting and cooperative engagement amongst states and between state and non-state actors. 

The curriculum appraises the relationship between the individual and the state, the sources of authority, and forms of governance with significant implications for policy-making, policy choices, and policy outcomes. It fosters an understanding of agency through the study of power, justice, anarchy, order, conflict, legitimacy, accountability, obligation, sovereignty, mediation, security, governance, and decision-making at different levels of governance (e.g. local, regional, and global). 

This degree programme combines a rigorous politics and international relations syllabus with a personalised elective pathway. Students can choose to either deepen their focus on politics and international relations through elective courses, or they can further contextualise and broaden their studies with courses that align with interests and goals further afield.

Students develop a broad range of skills and knowledge relevant to institutional decision- and policy-making. Graduates can manage complex information flows and networks, collect appropriate material from a broad range of sources, and undertake causal and applied projects to develop and promote critical thinking. Students acquire the ability to contribute to debates on topical issues of great currency, and apply theoretical and methodological tools of policy, institutional, and behavioural analysis. These valuable and transferable skills open up a wide array of career possibilities upon graduation. Such career opportunities include for example working in the public sector's governmental and intergovernmental institutions and agencies; in the private sector - in risk analysis and management within security and financial outfits, and in journalism; in the third sector - public policy analysis and review in think tanks and charities; and in the hybrid sector - towards sustainable development, social value accounting, etc. 

Entry requirements for this course

Contact Northeastern University London to find course entry requirements.

View foundation and pathway programmes to help you meet academic and language entry requirements.