Politics With International Relations
Politics shapes every aspect of how we live: from the legislation that governs our daily routines to the international agreements that determine trade, migration, climate action and security. Politics with international relations examines the forces driving these outcomes, asking how power is distributed, contested and exercised within states and between them, why democracies sometimes fail, how social movements emerge and what drives global conflict and cooperation. The discipline requires you to question assumptions, challenge dominant narratives and engage with competing explanations for the world as it is.
At Leeds Beckett University you will study part-time, engaging with topics including inequality, populism, global justice, environmental change and the rise of political extremism. You will explore the ideas and political movements shaping societies around the world, developing critical thinking and analytical skills alongside practical abilities that employers value. A year abroad is built into the programme, broadening your perspective by situating you within a different political and cultural context for a sustained period.
You will learn through interactive and project-based work that connects academic analysis to real political issues and current events.
Politics and international relations graduates bring a combination of analytical rigour, ethical awareness and communication ability that is valued across a wide range of careers. Government, the civil service, diplomacy, NGOs, think tanks, journalism, international organisations, policy research, public affairs and law are all common destinations. Many graduates also move into roles in education, communications, the charitable sector and corporate public affairs, where understanding the political context of decisions is increasingly important.
Postgraduate study in international relations, politics, public policy, law or security studies is a common next step for those who want to develop specialist expertise.