Professionals working in international relations have an in-depth understanding of the impact of political, economic, and cultural forces and seek to balance these dynamics in order to maintain peace and trade in a complex and globalised world, where pockets of tension can rapidly escalate beyond borders.
International Relations at Lincoln aims to provide a structured way of understanding and influencing the cross-border factors shaping our societies: security, conflict, inequality, development, intercultural understanding and human rights.
Teaching on the course is driven by the latest developments in the discipline and students are taught by academics who are currently engaged in research across a range of specialisms including terrorism, gender and sexuality, migration, security, international political economy, war crimes and genocide, the politics of global health, and the European Union.
A range of modules allows students to build their professional skills and enhance employability. An example of the innovative and high-quality curriculum offered is found in the Model United Nations module where students can develop negotiating skills and practice diplomacy in a simulation of the UN General Assembly.
This interdisciplinary programme draws upon politics, economics, history, sociology, international law, geography, and cultural studies to explore issues such as conflict, global inequalities, sovereignty, and human rights.
How You Study
The first year of the course introduces central issues and concepts in international relations, global and UK politics, and the broader social sciences. In years two and three, the course explores the theoretical foundations of the subject and offers students a range of optional modules in specialist areas spanning global, national, and local levels of analysis to allow a tailored approach depending on students' own interests. Students can take this further in the third year, where they are required to undertake an independent study in a research area of their choice.
This programme uses a variety of teaching and learning methods including lectures and seminars, group projects, and workshops. In an average week, students are expected to attend a lecture in each of their modules, with a follow-up seminar. Seminars are usually more informal, with the aim of enabling students to discuss the topic with their tutor in a smaller group. They sometimes provide students with the opportunity to work together in groups to prepare presentations or reports.
In addition to lectures and seminars, staff use a range of media to deliver teaching materials including blogs, videos, and social media platforms. Some modules include regular screenings of documentaries and movies designed to examine and prompt discussion on the presentation of international politics in the media and popular culture. A range of external speakers including those involved in politics at local and national levels also aims to provide an insight into the real world of politics.
Simulation- and problem-based learning is a distinctive feature of the programme, for example, students gain experience preparing foreign policy briefings and participate in a simulation of the United Nations General Assembly.
Modules
First Year
Applying Research (Social Sciences) (Core)
Global Conflicts and Contexts (Core)
Who Runs Britain? Power, Politics and Beyond (Core)
Key Social Science Concepts (Option)†
Second Year
Challenges of European Politics (Core)
Model United Nations (Core)
Researching Politics and International Relations (Core)
Thinking International Relations (Core)
(Re)Reading the Sociological Canon I (Option)†
(Re)reading the Sociological Canon II (Option)†
Applied Politics (Option)†
Comparative Politics and Policy (Option)†
Conceptualising Sex Work (Option)†
Crime in Literature (Option)†
Debating Welfare States (Option)†
Foreign Policy Analysis (Option)†
Governing America (Option)†
Ideology into Practice (Option)†
Intelligence and Security Law (Option)†
Internationalising Cultural Studies (Option)†
Nations and Nationalism (Option)†
Policing Crime and Deviance (Option)†
Political Parties (Option)†
Psychology in the Criminal Justice Process (Option)†
Social Engagement (Option)†
Sociology of Education (Option)†
Strategic Studies (Option)†
The Politics of Sex and Sexuality (Option)†
The Vigilant State: intelligence and national security (Option)†
Thinking Politics (Option)†
Transnational Security Studies (Option)†
Understanding the City (Option)†
Understanding the European Union (Option)†
Welfare Policy and Work (Option)†
Work and Society (Option)†
Youth Justice (Option)†
Youth, Culture and Resistance (Option)†
Third Year
Global Civil Society (Core)
Global Governance (Core)
Independent Study (Politics and International Relations) (Core)
The Colonial Present (Core)
Analysing the Policy Process (Option)†
Body Politics (Option)†
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
United Kingdom
A Level: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A Levels or equivalent qualifications).
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit, or equivalent.
T Level: Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points.
A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ, etc.
Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may also be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry. We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
International
Non-UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
Scholarships
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships.
Course-Specific Additional Costs
The cost of optional study trips fluctuates according to demand, currency movements and the cost of travel, accommodation and visa expenses.
How You Are Assessed
Students are assessed in the form of essays, reports, presentations and reviews, and examinations. Assessment varies from module to module depending on the subject of study.
Field Trips and Study Abroad
Students have the option to apply for a study abroad year at one of our partner institutions in Europe or the United States of America if they opt for the four-year degree variant. In recent years, students have undertaken week-long field trips to New York, Washington DC, Brussels, the Hague, Strasbourg, Geneva, Berlin and Krakow, where they have visited key international organisations, and national and international political institutions.
Places are limited and students do not pay tuition fees during a study abroad year but would be responsible for covering their own travel, accommodation, and general living costs. Where applicable, visa costs will need to be covered by the student.
Students participating in the 2019 Berlin and Krakow trip paid approximately £600 to cover accommodation costs, insurance and study visits. Transportation costs covered on the trip included flights, transfers and study trips only. Similarly, students should expect to pay for all meals whilst on the trip plus an additional cost for activities during their spare time.
Language Courses
Students looking to further enhance their skill set can also take advantage of language courses offered by Lincoln International Business School. These include French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese. A cost is associated with these courses.
Placements
This course offers opportunities to undertake voluntary competitive work placements with a local council which can offer a valuable experience in a professional policy environment. Placements are undertaken at the student’s own expense.
The College’s Work Opportunities Hub, which looks to identify suitable placements for students, can help those seeking to enhance their studies with work experience.
Research
Research within the School of Social and Political Sciences has helped to inform public policy. Recent research projects have explored parliamentary reform, gender and sexuality, and terrorism. This helps to inform teaching and students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to undertake their own research.
External examiners have praised International Relations programmes at Lincoln for the ways in which they embed the Student as Producer principles at all year levels.
