Overview
Student view: Mathias
Learn about our International Politics degree in this short interview with final year student Mathias. (See also this interview on YouTube with Sarah for a second student perspective.)
Course overview
City's degree in International Politics will immerse you in debates about how we can understand global politics and respond to global crises in today's world.
You will develop critical and independent thinking from academics at the cutting edge of contemporary global issues. For example, Professor Rosemary Hollis is a renowned commentator on the Middle East, appearing here on the BBC; and Professor Ronen Palan is an expert on tax havens. (See him on Bloomberg discussing Starbucks' tax avoidance.)
Reflecting the interconnectedness of the world today, you will consider not just the diplomatic relations between governments, but also the economic, social and political relations between societies undertaken by companies and private groups.
Entry Requirements:
340 UCAS tariff points. Typically gained from AAB at A-level. Other qualification combinations achieving 340 UCAS tariff points will be considered.
More...Course Fees:
- Full-time EU: £9,000
- Full-time Non EU: £12,000
Start Date:
23 September 2013
UCAS code:
L240
Entry Requirements
UK
A-Level
- 340 UCAS tariff points. Typically gained from AAB at A-level. Other qualification combinations achieving 340 UCAS tariff points will be considered.
- A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Studies are not accepted
GCSE pre-requisites
Grade C or equivalent in English Language and Maths or Statistics
Access to Higher Education
We welcome Access course applicants from 'mature' students. These applicants will be considered on the basis of their own merits.
A typical offer for an Access applicant would be: Pass 60 credits, 45 of which at Level 3. These Level 3 credits must include at least 27 at distinction and 18 at merit.
It is essential the Access course qualification is supplemented by at least a grade B in Maths and English Language at GCSE.
Please be aware that Access students are often asked for further information to supplement their application, this is normally in the form of a questionnaire.
Other UK qualifications accepted include:
- BTEC National Diploma (DDD required)
- Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects
- Advanced Diploma (plus appropriate A-levels)
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- Welsh Diploma (plus appropriate A-levels)
Second-year transfer applicants
If you wish to apply for second-year entry please be aware that you must:
- have achieved grades equal to the entry requirements for first-year entry (A Levels, foundation years, access courses, etc.
- have covered sufficiently similar content to that of our first year students.
- be gaining or have gained at least a 2:1 in every module in your current first year. You must provide official documentation of this as evidence (e.g. university transcript).
If you feel you meet these requirements then please apply through UCAS as early as possible (transfer students normally apply when their first semester exam results are published) and we can then assess your eligibility. Please be aware you will need to select your 'point of entry' as year two.
Please note: For direct second-year entrants the overall degree classification will be based on the marks obtained at City University London only, with the weighting of 33/67 between the second and third year. Marks previously obtained will not be used in the degree classification.
On your application please include:
- the exact name of the degree you are studying towards
- the institution at which you are studying
- the modules you have taken
- any scores you have achieved
This information will enable us to make a more informed decision as to whether the content that you have studied is to an appropriate level for level-two entry.
Please be aware that you must meet all of the above requirements, otherwise your application is unlikely to be successful.
International
International Baccalaureate (IB)
35 points (no specific subjects required)
European Baccalaureate
77- 80%
International Foundation Programme
The entry requirements for applicants applying having completed such programmes varies in relation to the specific programme completed. Typically, we would ask for applicants to have achieved at least 65% in a programme verified by the university, for an applicant to be made an offer.
International Qualifications
Please be aware you can apply for a course here before you sit your school leaving qualifications. Any offer we decide to make you will be conditional on you achieving the appropriate score in your school leaving qualifications, in conjunction with your English language qualification. This can be done from September the year before the programme to which you are applying.
Accepted qualifications include:
- Australian school leaving certificates. (Offer typically made on the basis of a score of 90%)
- Bulgarian Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie (Offer typically made on the basis of a score of at least 5.8)
- Canadian school leaving certificates. (Offer typically made on the basis of a score between 80-90%)
- Cypriot Apolytirion (Require a score of at least 19. Combined with two relevant A-levels)
- French Baccalauréat (Offer typically around 14/20)
- German Abitur (Offer typically around 1.8)
- Greek Apolytirion (Require a score of at least 19. Combined with two relevant A-levels)
- Hong Kong Advanced Level (AAB)
- Indian HSC/ISC/SSC grade XII (Offer typically made on the basis of a score of 85% average)
- Italian Esame di Stato (Offer typically made on the basis of an overall score of 90% with a grade of 8/10 in mathematics)
- Israeli Bagrut (Offer typically made on the basis of a score between 80-90%)
- Lithuanian Brandos Atestatas (Offer typically made on the basis of an average score of 9/10 from all A and B subjects)
- Malaysian Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan (STPM AAA)
- Norwegian Vitnemål (Offer typically made on the basis of a score of at least 5.0)
- Polish Matura (Offer typically made on the basis of an applicant achieving an average of 85% across three extended-level subjects)
- Singapore/Cambridge GCE Advanced Level (AAA at Higher 2)
- Spanish Título de Bachillerato (Offer typically made on the basis of the applicant achieving 8 overall with 8 in mathematics)
- USA Advanced Placement (Offer typically made on the basis of an applicant achieving at least 14 (5,5,4) from three approved subjects).
Please contact the department for further guidance, if required.
All qualifications where the education is not in English will be required to achieve the appropriate IELTS/TOEFL score.
If the qualification you are due to complete is not shown above, please feel free to contact our UG admissions team for advice.
Other Suitable Qualifications
Undergraduate Preparatory Courses for International Students
If you do not qualify for direct entry, INTO City University London offers an International Foundation Programme. This course offers a route to City University London through an excellent teaching and learning experience located in purpose built study facilities. Successful completion of the International Foundation Programme at INTO City University London to the standard required provides guaranteed progression to this degree.
English Requirements
- Grade B in GCSE (or International GCSE)
- Cambridge ESOL CPE grade C or above
- IELTS 6.5
- TOEFL (internet based): 100 - 105
- TOEFL (computer based): 250
- TOEFL (paper based): 600
INTO English Language Programmes
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, INTO City University London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.Please click the links below for more information:
Visa Requirements
City University London retains Highly Trusted Status from UKBA, enabling us to sponsor international students to study in the UK.
The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:
- Students on courses of more than 6 months
- Students on courses of less than 6 months
- Students on a pre-sessional English Language course
For more information see our main Visa page.
When and Where
- Start Date:
- 23 September 2013
- Duration:
- three years
Course Content
International Politics does not just mean knowing about other countries, but studying politics at the level of the global system, which influences all governments and all societies.
How can we better understand 'power' in the age of global terrorism, unprecedented economic shifts, social and humanitarian crises and environmental catastrophes?
This degree offers you a well-balanced portfolio of core courses in International Relations and specialised options which reflect the research work and expertise of our academic staff.
The course progresses through three levels of study:
Year 1: Understanding ideas
By studying international history and the evolution of major ideas and concepts of International Relations, you are introduced to the complex field of politics and the transformations that have underpinned globalisation.
Year 2: Understanding change: political, economic and social transformations of the 20th century and beyond.
During your second year, you advance your conceptual understanding of the field of International Relations and analyse the major spheres of political change, including: religion, social movements, international political economy, international and regional organisations.
Year 3: Understanding power in the 21st century
During your final year, you concentrate more closely on some of the contemporary issues of global politics and problems of global governance, and produce your individual research projects.
The skills of International Politics graduates are of direct relevance to all those who need to know how their organisations fit into the world as a whole.
This includes not just governments and intergovernmental organisations such as the United Nations, but also international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and multi-national companies.
Course Structure
Year 1
Core modules:
Elective modules:
- Contemporary issues in media studies
- History and theory of psychology
- Introduction to sociology
- Media, history and politics
- Understanding the modern world
Year 2
Core modules:
International Politics elective modules:
- Global conflict and security
- International political economy
- Political change in Europe
- Religion in global politics
- Transnational, social movements
Sociology elective modules:
- Identities and personal relationships
- Interpreting documentary and news
- New media challenges
- Race and ethnicity in Britain
- Television and sport
- Understanding social change
Year 3
Core modules:
International Politics elective modules:
- International politics of the Middle East
- The global politics of development
- Politics of forced displacement
- American foreign policy
- Euro-Mediterranean politics and security
- Foreign policy analysis
- Advanced topics in international political economy: The offshore world
- Gender and society
- Global migration processes
- Media, conflict and terrorism
- Social movements and political action
- Sociology of the margins
- Transnational communication in Europe
Teaching and Assessment
Meet our academic staff
- Article: Dr Amnon Aran writes for LSE's EUROPP blog about power shifts in the Middle East
- Video: Professor Rosemary Hollis on the implications of Western involvement in the Arab revolutions
- Video: Dr Anastasia Nesvetailova on global financial crisis
- Video (below): Dr Sara Silvestri on the stereotypes surrounding Muslim women in the West
Teaching
We teach through a combination of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group seminars, supported by a personal tutorial system. Lectures provide commentary on and explanation of key content areas. Small group seminars develop your understanding by inviting you to raise questions and participate in the debate and by providing guidance for further study.
Assessment
Assessment is by coursework (assessed essays and assignments), unseen examinations and your final year project.
Fees
- Full-time EU: £9,000
- Full-time Non EU: £12,000
Please note:
UK/EU students - The fees for UK/EU students rise each year by the rate of the cost of living in the UK and are set by the UK Government.
Non-EU international students - There is a small percentage increase, usually between 3% and 5%, each year on these fees.
Funding
For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.
Scholarships
New for 2013 entrants: Up to £2,000 cash each year for at least three years for students on this course. Read more here to see if you might qualify.Career Prospects
As a graduate of this International Politics course you would be suited to a wide range of career options, from the civil service, NGOs, journalism, teaching to international law, international organisations and the corporate sector.
A recent BSc graduate is moving to Malawi in a few months to work for a farming company running their development strategy. She volunteered with them during her time at City and her research project was funded by them.
She is then doing a Master's at SOAS next September, and says her City tutors are the reason she got the placement.
A recent BSc graduate went back to his home country, Palestine, after completing his studies.
One month after arriving in Palestine he was hired as the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded, AMIDEAST implemented, Model Schools Network (MSN) Programme.
One of our third year BSc students is currently an intern in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cyprus.
Find out how studying at City University London helps you to improve your job prospects.
Read an interview with Gary Argent (City's Director of Careers & Skills Development Service) about how undergraduates can improve their job prospects in today's workplace.
Find out more about City University London
International Politics
UCAS code: L240
Application Deadline
15 January
Applications to our undergraduate courses open on 1st September and close on 15th January (30th June for international students).Late applications will still be considered at our discretion.
All applications to our undergraduate degree courses, including those from mature students, must be made through UCAS.
You can apply through your school or college using the UCAS online service 'Apply' which enables you to apply directly through the UCAS website (www.ucas.com).
Independent applicants such as mature and international students can also use ucasapply.
The institution code for City University is C60. If you are still at school or college when you make an application, staff there should be able to assist with this process offering you help and advice.
If you are outside the UK when you make an application your local British Council Office should be able to provide assistance.
We accept a large number of international students to our undergraduate courses every year, so if your international qualifications do not reflect the grade requirements, then please feel free to contact us.
