International Relations and History BSc

If you want to use the latest, cutting-edge methods to understand how the world works, and want to inform these methods with deep historical knowledge, then a BSc (Hons) in International Relations and History is perfect for you. This degree programme gives you the opportunity and skills to delve into world history, but also trains you in the latest techniques to understand contemporary international affairs.

Do we have more war today than in the past? Do historical factors influence levels of democracy today? Which are the most important actors in the international system: states, or individuals? How has the nature of international affairs changed?

As well as gaining an understanding of the theory of International Relations, you will also learn empirical rigour which will give you new transferable skills. The combination of a deep understanding of history with the latest methodological developments in the quantitative study of global issues will help you to understand the relationship between numerous factors, such as war, conflict, democracy, autocracy, human rights, inequality and much more besides.

The course content is made up of a variety of subject area strands that can be studied across all three years of the programme. At every level, there are modules relating to each strand. After taking the compulsory modules in the first year, you can choose to study across a range of strands, or specialise in particular strands. 

International Relations (compulsory elements): This strand equips you with tools to understand contemporary International Relations at every level. It will focus on war and peace and the ways in which we understand the international system. You will also you develop the tools for sustained research in International Relations. This will include research design on qualitative methods, such as interview techniques, as well as quantitative methods, which will give you valuable transferable skills.

International Relations (elective elements): This strand builds on the strand above. You will be able to develop expertise in war and peace, Africa, Europe, the US, terrorism and intelligence.

History (compulsory elements): This strand focuses world history. There will be a chance to explore the social, cultural and political dimensions to the formation and interaction of nations as well as important human phenomena such as exploration, migration and war. There will also be a chance to focus on what historians do and how they do it. You will look at debate, fake debate (e.g. Holocaust denial), controversy and primary sources and, in so doing, build up the skills for your dissertation.

History (elective elements): This strand builds on the strand above. You will be able to develop specialisms in the history of Africa and America or focus on diplomacy and war or study issues of race, gender and identity

This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 4 years full-time with placement, starting in September.

Our students pursue a wide variety of jobs after graduating. Some go into Politics and the civil service and have worked for Members of the Parliament such as John McDonnell MP, or former Labour party general secretary Baroness McDonagh. Other graduates have joined Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Home Office, GCHQ and military intelligence.

Others work in the public and private sectors, law and NGOs whilst some graduates become researchers, teachers and librarians.

• GCE A-level BBB (all subjects considered).
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in Business, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Public Services or Health and Social Care.
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma DD in a related subject AND an A-level at grade B.
• BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D in Business, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Public Services or Health and Social Care AND A-levels grade BB.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at Level 3, with Merit in all units.

A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4. GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 is also normally required. 

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 63% (min 55% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)  

You’ll be taught in lectures and seminars by academic staff who are internationally known for publishing and presenting papers worldwide. Their research is often reported in the press and media, which will help to keep your learning contemporary and cutting edge.

You’ll also benefit from the expertise of staff who are consultants to government departments including the Cabinet Office, Home Office and Ministry of Defence in the UK; the council of Europe; the Georgian Ministry of Defence and the Canadian Department of Citizenship Abroad.

Also, the proximity to the Brunel campus to central London’s world-class research facilities, the British Library, Westminster and Whitehall, means you will be best placed to immerse yourself in an established politics arena.

Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.

You’ll be assessed by a combination of coursework and time-limited assessments, but most of your time will be spent in private study and reading. In your final year you will produce a final dissertation on a subject of your choice under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor.

Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.