International Politics Santa Monica Transfer Programme  BA (Hons)

Overview

Course overview

A transfer agreement between City University London and Santa Monica College (SMC) allows SMC students to transfer into the second year of City's three-year Bachelor of Science degree in International Politics.

In an increasingly globalised world, what better preparation for an internationally-oriented career than the opportunity to study at two highly-regarded institutions in two of the world's most dynamic cities?

Santa Monica College (SMC), located in greater Los Angeles has a diverse student body, representing over 100 countries with a proven track record of sending students to some of the best universities in California and beyond. At SMC you can experience the unique California culture whilst completing your  lower division undergraduate degree requirements in political science with an international theme.

Upon transfer to City University London you will study traditional themes in international relations within the context of the 21st century. City focuses on issues underpinning global policy-making, providing you with the academic foundation necessary for understanding 'power' in an age of global terrorism and unprecedented economic shifts as well as social and humanitarian crises.

You will study the complexities of economic, social and political transformations that continue to reshape power. City graduates are highly sought after by governmental bodies, international institutions, non-governmental and civil society organisations, as well as the commercial sector.

Course Fees:

  • Full-time EU: £9,000
  • Full-time Non EU: £11,000

Start Date:

24 September 2012

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

Tariff Points

(Tariff points are not applicable for applications to this course.)

Students need to complete IGETC requirements and general unit requirements with a 3.0 GPA. See below for details.

What is IGETC and how do I complete it?

In California, the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is the general education (GE) pattern accepted by California public universities to satisfy lower division general education requirements.

You should follow the standard IGETC curriculum for transfer to a political science degree programme (see link above for IGETC pattern details). Included in your IGETC curriculum you must have completed the following courses (or their equivalent from another accredited college):

  • POLSC 1 National and California Government (3 SMC units)
  • POLSC 2 Comparative Government. and Politics (3 SMC units)
  • POLSC 5 International Political Economy (3 SMC units)
  • POLSC 7 International Politics (3 SMC units)

Details on completing the IGETC pattern at SMC can be found here

Do I need to complete anything in addition to IGETC in order to transfer to City University London?

Yes. You will also need to complete three elective classes relating to International Politics. Classes should be IGETC approved and it is recommended that they be taken from the areas of sociology, environmental studies, or global studies.

What is the required GPA?

An average GPA of 3.0 with at least a B in English Composition is required for admission to City. If you have a grade lower than a B in English Composition you will need to provide an IELTS score of at least a 6.5 to fulfil City's English Language requirement.

How do I know if I've met the transfer requirements?

You may refer to the Guidelines for transferring to City University London document. This document allows you to determine whether you have met all the transfer requirements. 

If you have additional questions about the requirements or application process you may email Dr David Williams, Co-ordinator of the 2+2 transfer programme.

Deadlines

Applications received by 30 April receive priority consideration for admission and scholarships. Thereafter, applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Once we receive a completed application, we aim to communicate an admissions decision to students within three weeks.

Visa Requirements

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:
24 September 2012
Duration:
2 years at City University London (following 2 years' study at SMC)

Course Content

In England, Bachelor degree programmes typically run for three years. Entering Year 2 of an English Bachelor programme is the equivalent of entering Year 3 of an American Bachelor programme (essentially, the 'upper division' position of the degree).

Year 1: completed at SMC.

You will acquire at SMC the foundation for your advanced studies at City.

Year 2: Understanding change: political, economic and social transformations of the 20th century and beyond.

During your second year at City, you advance your conceptual understanding 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 project.

Course Structure

Modules

Year 2

Core modules

International Politics elective modules

  • International political economy
  • Political change in Europe
  • Religion in global politics
  • Global conflict and security
  • Transnational, social movements

Sociology elective modules

  • Circuit of culture
  • Identities and personal relationships
  • Interpreting documentary
  • Interpreting news
  • New media challenges
  • New media: pleasures, promises and anxieties
  • Political sociology
  • Race and ethnicity in Britain
  • Theories and research strategies in contemporary sociology
  • Understanding social change

Year 3

Core modules

International Politics elective modules

  • International politics of the Middle East
  • The global politics of development
  • The politics of forced displacement
  • United States foreign policy

Sociology elective modules

  • Forced migration
  • Gender and intimate relationships
  • Gender and society
  • Gender and globalisation
  • Global migration processes
  • Globalisation and human rights
  • Media, cities and culture
  • Media and politics: strategies, scandal and spin
  • Media, war and terrorism
  • Migration policies in Europe
  • Race and ethnicity in Britain
  • Social movements and political action
  • Sociology of human rights
  • Sociology of the margins
  • Sociology of race and racism
  • The global media system
  • Transnational communication in Europe

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching

At City, 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

We assess you by coursework (assessed essays and assignments), unseen examinations and your final year project.

Fees

  • Full-time EU: £9,000
  • Full-time Non EU: £11,000

"EU" fees are applicable to those ordinarily resident in the UK or EU.

For detailed information about how EU/home students and non-EU/overseas students are classified for fees purposes, please see the website of the UK Council for International Student Affairs, or contact us for guidance.

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

Some scholarship monies may be available to Santa Monica Students. In their application, you should indicate that you would like to be considered for a SMC/City scholarship.

For general information on study abroad scholarships for US students, see the Institute for International Education website.

Financial Aid

If you are a US national and have been given an offer of admission to City University London, you may be able to use Federal Student Loans to fund your studies at City. City is a participating Title 4 institution for the purposes of Direct Loans.

  • Direct Lending code: G08693
  • School OPE ID is 008693 (00)

For more information on the Federal Direct Loan application please go to studentloans.gov. And for more information about financial support for US students at City University London see the City website.

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.

For example, 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.

Another 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.

In addition, a third year BSc student is currently an intern in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cyprus.

Find out more about City University London

Application Process

Students submitting the following will be offered a place at City:

  • Fulfilment of the IGETC (UC) pattern with an average 3.0 GPA, including the specific classes of POLSC 1, 2, 5, and 7 (English 2 or its equivalent must be completed with a grade of B or higher) and three elective classes relating to your International Politics chosen from IGETC Sociology, Global Studies, Environmental Studies, Economics.
  • Completed application with satisfactory statement of interest (250-500 words).
  • Official transcripts from previously attended colleges and universities.

Application form

Deadlines

Applications received by 30 April receive priority consideration for admission and scholarships. Thereafter, applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Once we receive a completed application, we aim to communicate an admissions decision to students within three weeks.

The 2012-13 programme starts on 17 September 2012.

General enquiries can be directed to:

Dr David Williams
Head of Department
Santa Monica 2+2 Programme Coordinator
Department of International Politics, School of Social Science
David.Williams.1@city.ac.uk