This degree is taught by specialists in international relations, criminology and security, many of whom are internationally recognised for the quality of their work.
Practitioners regularly visit the university to meet students and share their expertise. We also organise a number of trips to non-governmental organisations, embassies, and relevant government bodies.
Employability is central to every module, and in the final year students have the opportunity to do a work placement. This has included placements within a wide range of institutions, such as the United Nations, aid agencies, think-tanks and embassies. Students can opt to do their work placement in the UK or in another country.
It may be possible to spend your second year abroad by combining a semester of Erasmus study in Europe with a semester studying in the United States.
Assessment
You are assessed in a variety of ways including essays, exams, presentations, individual and group research projects, briefing papers, portfolios, reflective writing, and a final year dissertation or work placement.
After the course
Successful graduates have been employed in the diplomatic services, as well as governmental organisations such as the European Union and the United Nations, and non- governmental organisations specialising in international development, overseas aid, human rights and environmental fields. Students have also gained employment in research and teaching, international business, the media, and political campaigns. We currently have students working in a variety of jobs throughout the world.
Many of our students also go on to be successful in postgraduate study, both at Masters and PhD level, at a number of universities, including the London School of Economics, Kings College London, and SOAS.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2018/19 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
- Introduction to Criminological Theory (core, 30 credits)
- Introduction to International Relations (core, 30 credits)
- Introduction to the Criminal Justice System (core, 30 credits)
- Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy since 1945 (core, 30 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
- Approaches to International Relations and Foreign Policy (core, 30 credits)
- Crime in Context (core, 30 credits)
- Peace and Conflict in Theory and Practice (core, 30 credits)
- American Foreign Policy (option, 15 credits)
- Crime, Media and Technology (option, 15 credits)
- Diplomacy Old and New (option, 30 credits)
- Measuring and Interpreting Crime (option, 30 credits)
- Perspectives on Policing (option, 30 credits)
- Politics of the Middle East (option, 15 credits)
- The Politics of the European Union (option, 15 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
- Criminology Work Experience (core, 15 credits)
- International Security in an Era of Globalisation (core, 30 credits)
- Criminology Project (alternative core, 30 credits)
- Project 1 Semester (alternative core, 15 credits)
- Project 1 Year (alternative core, 30 credits)
- Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (option, 30 credits)
- Human Rights and Conflict (option, 15 credits)
- Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (option, 30 credits)
- Social Control, Drugs and Organised Crime (option, 30 credits)
- Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism (option, 15 credits)
- The Politics of Modern States (option, 30 credits)
- Victims and Crime (option, 15 credits)
