School of Social Sciences Undergraduate Studies
International Relations
Dean’s Welcome
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Introduction
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Why study International Relations at the University of East London?
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Our Undergraduate Courses
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Careers
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How to Apply
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Enquiries
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Dean’s Welcome
Welcome to the University of East London’s School of Social Sciences. A degree in social sciences has never been more relevant than today and we believe there is no better place to study than at UEL. Located in the heart of multicultural east London – a site of huge cultural and economic transformation – we are well placed to lead the discussion on many of today’s most exciting and urgent topics. The courses we offer are rigorous and rewarding, and are highly regarded by employers. Our graduates leave with the analytical, research, writing, data interpretation, persuasive speaking and organisational skills that make them standout in today’s competitive job market. Our academic staff know and care about students as individuals, and are committed to providing a rich and experimental learning experience. They are active researchers in their professional areas and bring this knowledge and cutting-edge research in to the classroom. Student success and satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do, and this is reflected in the consistently high rankings we receive for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS). ‘Doing’ is central to the learning process at UEL. Our students gain real world experience through projects, international opportunities, field-trips, professional work experience and learning activities beyond the classroom. Our students bring a vast and diverse set of experiences to the classroom, and a desire to achieve great things. We feel privileged to be helping to develop strong, creative, energetic members of society who can make a real difference to the world. Professor Allaine Cerwonka Dean, School of Social Sciences
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School of Social Sciences
International Relations
Are you interested in understanding how global powers interact, both in times of war and peace? Would you like to know more about international organisations and their capacity to control and shape developments around the world? Do you want to learn about political participation and become an active citizen, so that you can contribute to policy-making processes?
The study of international relations draws on politics, economics, history, sociology and other disciplines in order to examine transnational and global phenomena. Our undergraduate degree course introduces a range of different schools of thought and will encourage you to reflect on the way that the facts vary in accordance with the perspective taken up. We challenge the assumption that globalisation is an inevitable and progressive force in the modern world and we highlight the way that international institutions disempower people, preventing them from having a say in decisions that affect their lives.
uel.ac.uk/ug-international-relations
The international relations course at UEL is taught be a staff team that are renowned internationally for their research. You will be introduced to the key concepts that will enable you to analyse international affairs as well as specialist topics in regional politics. We’ll provide you with the perfect grounding to pursue a career in diplomacy, international and domestic policy analysis.
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Why study International Relations at the University of East London?
Student satisfaction International relations students have regularly recognised and expressed appreciation for the programme, describing it as very wellorganised and intellectually stimulating. Highly rated research Our international relations academic staff are active and world-renowned researchers meaning you can be certain that what you learn represents the very latest thinking in the subject. Outside academia, many of them provide consultancy services within their area of expertise. Careers and employability What you learn on the international relations course is varied and offers different career progression routes following graduation. It is relevant to those who have identified long term interest in working in local, national or international governments, public agencies and departments, administration and policy development bodies. A degree in international relations opens up possibilities for postgraduate academic study in a wide range of social sciences areas and will equip you with the transferable critical tools for independent thought, analysis and action. Our students have gone onto a wide range of successful careers in business, local government and other areas of public service, journalism, publishing, teaching,
community activism, arts administration, and other professions. Placements and projects On this course you’ll undertake a placement in your final year and have the opportunity to study abroad. The placement module, offered in partnership with Citizens UK, will teach you practical skills including negotiation, conflict resolution and consensus-building and provides the opportunity to practice these under the supervision of a professional organiser. You’ll also have the opportunity to study for a term at one of our partner institutions in Norway, Brazil, Egypt and China. We’ll encourage you to use your semester abroad to collect data for your final year research project. Recent research projects have included an analysis of Brazil’s international trade strategy and the status of non-EU members in Europe. Resources You’ll benefit from regular guest lectures and the possibility to take part in field-trips, overseas study and summer school programmes. We hope these opportunities will enhance your university experience and provide an opportunity to meet peers at UEL’s partner institutions. You can also apply for support from the Going Global bursaries offered by the University.
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School of Social Sciences
International Relations BA (Hons)
UEL has a well-established reputation for teaching politics and international relations in a way that combines academic excellence with the chance to develop your practical skills. Our international relations course reflects the changing nature of global affairs and the growing interdependence. While at UEL, you will be learning with students from all over the world about key international institutions and you will gain a broad knowledge of regional politics in Europe, the United States, South America and China. Using this knowledge, you will start to make sense of global change beyond the daily headlines. At the same time, we will help you to take full advantage of our proximity to Westminster, the political centre of the country, to enable you to launch your own career in politics. Our placement programme will give you access to a wide range of campaign groups and civil society organisations that will teach you the skills and provide you with a network to pursue a career in politics.
uel.ac.uk/ug-international-relations
Admissions and entry requirements UCAS code L240 280 UCAS points From A Level Must include passes at A2 in at least two subjects. From BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) or Diploma (QCF) From International Baccalaureate Diploma with 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher Level. We would normally expect you to have Grade C in GCSE English and maths.
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School of Social Sciences
Modules Year one International Studies (core) Political Philosophy (core) Politics, State and Society (core) Political Economy of Development (core) Year two International Relations Theory Today (core) International Organisation and Global Governance (core) Theories of Development and Globalisation (core) Adventures in Intersectionality: Beyond Class, Race and Gender (optional) Anthropological Theory (optional) Human Mobility, Forced Migration and Social Change (optional) Social Movements in the Radical Twentieth Century (optional) Year three Dissertation (core) Community Organising (Placement module) (optional) Conflict and Development (optional) European Union Politics (optional) Global Crises (optional) Islam and Society (optional) Nationalism in a Global Era (optional)
Politics of Global Powers (optional) Surveillance, Technology and Society (optional) Topics in Regional Ethnography (optional) War, Revolution and Upheaval in Twentieth Century Europe (optional) Women, Power and Politics (optional)
Foundation Year If you don’t meet the entry requirements for the BA course, you have the option of taking an ‘extended’ version. You’ll begin with a foundation year which will prepare you for the BA, giving you the academic and personal skills you need for successful degree-level study.
Further study If you want to continue with your academic career, we offer a wide range of postgraduate courses at UEL, including: MSc International Relations MA Refugee Studies MSc NGO and Development Management
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“ My interest at UEL was always a rights, international security and between different countries.
I am incredibly fond of UEL and change it for anything, I had a fa had great lecturers and created friends who are now all experts Gaia Arzilli International Politics BA (Hons)* Graduate
*renamed as International Relations BA (Hons) 10
School of Social Sciences
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I would not antastic time, a network of in their fields.�
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“ I know I made the right choice by picking to study at UEL. The campuses, located in east London, put you in the heart of such a varied and interesting area to live and study, and the modern facilities and the on campus student halls of residence are a definite plus.
There is such a multicultural student community here, with people from so many cultures, social backgrounds and nationalities. I’ve really enjoyed being permanently surrounded by staff and students with such diverse origins from all over the world. This was main motivation for choosing to study in London, and at UEL.
While all the aspects of my time spent here have been important and a great experience, the feeling of knowing how far I have progressed and matured both, academically and personally gives me great satisfaction. I know I made a right choice in coming here three years ago.”
What has impressed me above all is the quality of teaching I’ve had since being here. I truly feel like my classmates and I have been taught by the best, and that our teachers are genuinely interested and dedicated to our educational success and personal development.
Adrien International Relations BA (Hons)
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“ I thoroughly enjoy teaching politics and international relations at UEL. We encourage our students to examine a range of internationally relevant issues and, most importantly, propose solutions. This way, we prepare them for their life after university.” Dr Branislav Radeljić International Relations Programme Leader
Branislav is responsible for the modules European Union Politics and International Organisation & Global Governance. He has degrees from the University of Rome, the Free University of Brussels and the University of London. He has held numerous visiting fellowships in Europe and the United States. Branislav’s research and teaching interests stem from his experience of growing up during the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s. He has published books and articles about European affairs, the post-Yugoslav states and different research methodologies.
uel.ac.uk/ug-international-relations
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Careers
How to apply
Social Science subjects are wonderfully varied and offer a wide range of career progression routes following graduation.
All applications for full-time undergraduate courses starting in September are made Via the Universities and Colleges Admissions System (UCAS). UCAS offers a secure, webbased application system which allows you to track your application. To register for UCAS, please go to www.ucas.com and follow the step-by-step guide. You will need the University of East London institution code which is E28.
The social sciences cover a lot of ground and the many subjects we offer provide fascinating insights into everyday life in our communities, families and workplaces. All our courses will help you to develop a wide range of transferable skills and open up many career options. Employers across all sectors are keen to recruit social science graduates because they have the analytic and communication skills that a successful economy and society needs.
For further information, contact our Applicant Enquiries team: Tel +44 (0)20 8223 3333 Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Our international relations course will equip you with the skills you need to help to shape the future. With many exciting employment opportunities which naturally lead to progression into the kinds of careers that make a very real difference to society. Graduates from the International Relations BA (Hons) degree have gone on to work in a variety of roles: Campaigner Community Organiser Consultant Council Officer Government Official MP Assistant Policy Analyst Political Party Representative Project Coordinator Research Assistant
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