Note about optional modules (if available): The below is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
Year 1 (credit level 4)
Students take the following compulsory modules:
Module title |
Credits |
World Politics
|
30 credits |
Colonialism, Power, Resistance
|
30 credits |
Identity, Agency & Environment 1
|
15 credits |
Identity, Agency & Environment 2
|
15 credits |
You then choose from the following optional modules:
Module title |
Credits |
Political Theory and Ideologies
|
30 credits |
or |
Issues in Political and Cultural Economy
|
30 credits |
or |
UK and European Comparative Governance and Politics
|
30 credits |
Year 2 (credit level 5)
You will study the following compulsory modules:
Module title |
Credits |
Contemporary International Relations Theories
|
15 credits |
Global Governance and World Order
|
15 credits |
Security Studies
|
15 credits |
You will then choose optional modules up to the value of 75 credits from an approved list produced annually by the Department of Politics and International Relations.
As part of this, you have the option of taking up to 15 credits from another department or from another University of London Institution (if deemed suitable by the department) AND/OR.
Some examples of available modules are listed below:
Module title |
Credits |
The Goldsmiths Elective
|
15 credits |
Political Economy
|
30 credits |
Chinese Politics: The Revolutionary Era
|
15 credits |
Rough Politics
|
15 credits |
US Politics and Foreign Policy
|
15 credits |
The Politics of Climate Change
|
15 Credits |
Year 3 (credit level 6)
Students write a dissertation (30 credits) and will then choose a total of 90 credits of optional modules from the Politics and International Relations department. Credits total 120 credits.
Teaching style
This programme is mainly taught through scheduled learning - a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.
The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*:
- Year 1 - 13% scheduled learning, 87% independent learning
- Year 2 - 13% scheduled learning, 87% independent learning
- Year 3 - 13% scheduled learning, 87% independent learning
How you’ll be assessed
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, group work and projects.
The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*:
- Year 1 - 63% coursework, 38% written exam
- Year 2 - 76% coursework, 21% written exam, 3% practical
- Year 3 - 99% coursework, 1% practical
*Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2022/23. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices.
Your remaining 30 credits are then chosen from a general list provided annually by the Department or from the above. Current examples include:
Module title |
Credits |
Colonialism and Non-Western Political Thought
|
15 credits |
Migration, Technology, and Humanitarianism
|
15 credits |
Sustainable Development
|
15 Credits |
The Politics of Memory
|
15 Credits |
Ethics and Economics of Environmental Protection
|
15 credits |
Work placement (Politics)
|
15 credits |
Fascisms, Old and New
|
15 credits |
The Politics of Popular Music
|
15 credits |
Teaching style
This programme is mainly taught through scheduled learning - a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.
The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*:
- Year 1 - 13% scheduled learning, 87% independent learning
- Year 2 - 13% scheduled learning, 87% independent learning
- Year 3 - 13% scheduled learning, 87% independent learning
How you’ll be assessed
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, group work and projects.
The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*:
- Year 1 - 63% coursework, 38% written exam
- Year 2 - 76% coursework, 21% written exam, 3% practical
- Year 3 - 99% coursework, 1% practical
*Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2020/21. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices.
Download the programme specification.
Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.