BA (Hons) International Studies
The purpose of this programme is to explore the changing character of the contemporary world in an interdisciplinary manner. It encourages you to engage with the international at a number of levels, ranging from the practical (through an internship option), to the theoretical, to the study of specific areas/regions, including the UK, Europe, Asia and Africa.
3 years full-time or 5 years part-time.
L250.
ABB or equivalent; see find out more about our general entrance requirements.
Equivalent to 320-340 UCAS tariff points.
Please see undergraduate tuition fees.
Contact the Admissions Tutor, Dr Saul Newman.
Download a booklet [PDF, 871KB]
The events of 9/11, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, conflict and change in Africa, and the growing economic and political importance of China, Japan and India, indicate that the ‘international’ is not something that happens ‘out there’, but something that affects us all. This degree explores the changing character of the contemporary world in an interdisciplinary manner, and includes an option to gain practical experience through internships.
What you study
The degree offers you an introduction to both conventional as well as interdisciplinary ways of understanding the international realm. It allows you to study not only the West, but also Asia and Africa. An undergraduate honours degree is made up of 360 credits – 120 at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. If you are a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 courses in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 courses in your final year.
First year
In your first year you will take general introductory courses covering: theories of international relations, and developments in global politics since 1945; UK and European government and politics; key concepts in political theory, including democracy, freedom, and rights; and the culture and politics of selected non-Western countries.
Second Year and third years
In your second year you take two 15 credit courses: Contemporary International Relations; and An(other) IR views from the south. You also take at least 30 credits of Politics 'area-based' units, from a list which includes European politics, and the politics of Asian or African countries. You also choose another 60 credits of units, of which 30 credits can be chosen from units offered in other departments at Goldsmiths, but open to BA International Studies students – one of the distinctive features of this degree is its interdisciplinary nature and the wide choice of courses it allows.
In the third year you are required to write a dissertation on a subject in the broad field of international studies. You will choose 90 credits from a wide array of Politics options supplied by the department, one of which may involve an internship, allowing you to gain practical experience, and/or options available to BA International Studies students from other departments.
Assessment
Written examination; essays; project work.
Register your interest
If you register your interest in this programme we will keep you informed about open days and send you relevant further information.
Equivalent GCE A-level qualifications
| BTEC National Diploma |
Access courses |
Scottish qualifications |
European Baccalaureate |
International Baccalaureate |
Other requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDD/DDM | 60 Credits including 45 at level 3 (with Merits in related modules)
|
ABBBB (Higher)
ABB (Advanced Higher) |
80%
|
Pass with at least 34 points, with 6, 6, 6 at HL | - |
Courses and structure
First year
You take the following four foundation units:
- World Politics takes a critical look at the study of world politics, emphasising that there are different and competing perspectives on how to approach the subject, drawing on perspectives from both international relations and international studies.
- Ideas, Ideologies and Conflicts is an introduction to political theory and an exploration of why central political ideas and concepts influence our understanding of the world around us.
- UK and European Comparative Governance and Politics introduces the comparative approach to politics and government, in addition to building a foundation understanding of the politics and governance of four key members of the European Union: the UK, Germany, Italy and France.
- Politics of Other Cultures provides students with an understanding of the importance of colonialism and imperialism, and resistance to these, in the shaping of our world, and explores the relationship between
- politics and culture.
Each unit is assessed by one essay and a two-hour unseen examination.
Second year
You are required to take 60 credits of compulsory courses in your second year. These are:
- Contemporary International Relations Theories (15 credits) (subject to approval)
- An(other) IR (15 credits) (subject to approval)
And at least one course from the Department’s menu of 30 credit ‘area based’ units:
- Africa in the Global Political Economy
- An(other) Japan: Politics and Popular Culture
- Chinese Politics
- Comparative European Politics
- Themes and Issues in British Politics since 1945
You also take two further units from either the list of area-based units above or from a range of choices currently including the following, or units to the value of 30 credits offered in other departments at Goldsmiths:
- Life: a User’s Manual
- Modern Political Theory
- Political Economy
Find out more about the units listed above.
Third year
You are required to write a Dissertation on a subject in the broad field of international studies.
You will also take 90 credits from the list below, including if you wish the Internship course working in an organisation in the broadly defined field of international affairs. Internships are awarded either on a competitive basis or the department is happy to support students to find their own placement.
The other units are from a list of choices which currently includes:
- Anarchism (15 credits)
- An(other) China (15 credits)
- Art War Terror (15 credits)
- Britain in the EU (15 credits) (subject to approval)
- European Union and Immigration: The Contours, Politics and Economics of New Policy Domain (15 credits)
- Internship (15 credits)
- Nationalist Conflict and International Intervention (15 credits)
- New Radical Political Economy (30 credits)
- Party Systems and Electoral Systems (15 credits)
- Political Economy of the European Union (30 credits)
- Politics and Welfare (15 credits)
- Politics of the African City (15 credits)
- Beyond all Reason (15 credits)
- Public Policy Analysis (15 credits)
- Discourse, Power and Politics (15 credits)
- Rhetoric and Politics (15 credits)
- Risk and Politics: Theory and Practice (15 credits)
- Technology and Political Mobilisation (15 credits) (subject to approval)
Find out more about the units listed above.
Assessment
Most units in the first and second years are assessed by a combination of written essays and unseen examinations. In the third year, there is a greater focus on coursework, and a substantial dissertation on a topic chosen by you.
Skills and careers
Skills
This programme will develop you intellectually, and will enhance your transferable and communication skills – learning to plan your workload, to research solutions, and to express your ideas coherently.
Careers
Our graduates go on to a wide variety of careers. Some go on to postgraduate study or further training in law, accountancy, social work, business administration, or to specialise in one area of their academic studies, whilst others go directly into employment.
Recent graduates have found employment in administration and management; in various departments of central and local government; in finance, in the media; in research and computing; in voluntary agencies; in health, education and housing management; the probation service; in company management, and as lecturers and teachers.
About the department
The Department of Politics
Politics at Goldsmiths focuses on three key themes: conflicts, cultures and crossing boundaries. In tackling conflicts, clashes of ideas and nations. Our emphasis on political culture draws in politics from street-level upwards. By crossing boundaries, we reach beyond the study of Politics to many other disciplines. In doing all of this, we offer a number of exciting specialisms including Asia, Africa, and postcolonialism, as well as political theory and core aspects of British and European politics.
Why study in the Department of Politics?
- The Department of Politics was awarded an excellent 22 points out of 24 in the latest Teaching Quality Assessment of Politics and Economics.
- Our research strengths include Chinese politics, European politics, African politics and political thought, British politics, modern political and social thought, history of ideas, Marx and Marxism, the politics of health, international relations and public administration, the relationship between art and politics.
- You'll benefit from extensive computing facilities, direct access to the campus network, a wide range of packages, including SPSS, Microsoft Office, e-mail, Internet, and other software according to individual needs.
- We have research links with private and public institutions.
- We have external links with bodies including the Home Office, Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, and representations on the Joint University Council, the European Commission and national bodies.
Staff
Find out more about the specialisms of staff in the Department of Politics.
- BA (Hons) Politics
- BA (Hons) Economics, Politics & Public Policy
- BA (Hons) International Studies
- BA (Hons) History & Politics
- BA (Hons) Sociology & Politics
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