Undergraduate Degrees

Climate change? The rise of China? Security and terrorism? What are the issues facing your future? This degree will widen your horizons by bringing together the study of a modern language and international relations. It has strong emphasis on preparing you for the world of work by developing new skills, with work placements and other exciting opportunities.

This exciting new joint degree brings together the study of international relations with the learning of a modern language and it will widen your horizons, open up new opportunities and prepare you for the world of work. To prepare students there is a year abroad part of which must be spent gaining work experience in the chosen study language and there should be other opportunities during the degree course to have a second work placement over a summer vacation period. Indeed, we are developing what will be an impressive programme to support student employability and graduate development through work placements, internships, work shadowing and skills development.

Graduates go into a wide range of occupations in the public, private and third sectors including international organisations, non-governmental organisations, multinational corporations, the media and journalism, marketing, and, not least, translation and interpretation.

The Student Experience Survey ranks UEA third in the country - two places higher than last year's result and overtaking both Oxford and Cambridge... Read More >

The School of Political Social and International Studies (PSI) specialises in teaching and research in politics, international relations, media and culture.

We offer a wide range of courses that allow you to explore the politics of different countries and regions – for example, Russia, South-east Asia, the United States, Europe and Australia and, of course, the United Kingdom. You can learn about the key power-holders, about how parties compete to influence the public and how policies are made. Some of our students experience life in the lobby at first hand through the parliamentary internship scheme.

In the international arena there are modules dealing with security, terrorism, American foreign policy, fundamentalism, environmental issues and international players such as the United Nations. A module on the history of world politics since 1945 helps you understand how we arrived at 21st-century global patterns of power.

We offer a distinctive range of degrees specialising in media, culture and politics where topics covered may include mass media, political blogs, popular culture, new media, political marketing and 'practical media’, which enables students to make their own news documentary.

All our degrees give you opportunities to take modules from other UEA Schools which are selected to fit in with our degree programmes. Each degree includes the option of a 'free choice’ module taken from another School.

UniStats Information

Course Structure

Year 1

Study and other skills are developed as are the foundations of knowledge covering political theory, government and international relations. The study of Global Politics and the chosen language is compulsory and to complete the programme for the year you are free to choose two modules from defined ranges which include such subjects as Social and Political Theory; Contemporary Politics; American Studies; Economics and Society; Modern History; and Media, Society and Power; and a second language should you wish, such as Beginners' Chinese, Greek, Italian, Russian, German, or you may instead prefer to study Discourse and Power or Language, Culture and Interpersonal Communication.

Year 2

The aim is to introduce a more demanding examination of the issues covered by each international relations topic and embed an understanding of how the international system works, the principal international actors, and the opportunities for careers and graduate development. The programme includes the study of International Organisations; International Relations Theory and the chosen language at a higher level. Other modules may be selected from two ranges which include Intercultural Communication in Practice; The Construction of News; Language and Society; Language and Gender; Language in Action; Discourse and Society or Translation Issues in the Media. The other options range includes an Introduction to the European Union; the EU’s Future as an International Actor and International Politics Since 1945.

Year 3

Having developed an understanding of the international system and taken the study of the chosen language to a higher level, all students are required to spend this year abroad in a location where the language of study is the working language. Many students will go to another university on a student exchange agreement and study academic subjects in their study language. It is also a requirement that at least one of the two semesters must be spent in a work placement in a business, public service or third sector organisation. It is therefore possible to have a work placement for the full year or alternatively spend one semester at a university and the other semester in a work placement. Some placements attract Lifelong Learning EU funding from schemes such as Erasmus or from other sources and a small contribution toward travel and accommodation may be available in some cases.

Year 4

The focus of this year is to develop an advanced and in-depth knowledge of international relations and global politics, key concepts and principles including theoretical approaches, methodological tools for the analysis of texts and discourse, cultural awareness and sensitivity. It’s important to be able to evaluate arguments and data, fully understand the effects of different styles at linguistic and cultural levels, and marshall and synthesis information from written and spoken sources and various media. You will also develop an advanced level of language fluency. Spanish and French language students will take an EU studies module which includes a placement in Brussels, and students of Japanese will study Power over the Pacific: The American Relationship with Asia. Defined choice modules which may be selected include a practical course on Broadcast Journalism, and the study of public affairs and politics to influencing the political process, and Australia’s politics, culture and society.

Entry Requirements

A Level:

AAB including B in relevant language (if applicable)

International Baccalaureate:

33 including 5 in Higher Level language

Scottish Advanced Highers:

AAB including B in relevant language (if applicable)

Irish Leaving Certificate:

AAABBB

Access Course:

Please contact the University for further information

HND:

Please contact the University for further information

European Baccalaureate:

80%

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in Reading and Writing with no less than 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 overall (minimum 20 in Reading and Speaking components, 19 in Writing component and 17 in Listening components.
• PTE: 62 overall (minimum 55 in Reading and Writing components with no less than 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.
 

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year.

Deferred Entry - We welcome applications for deferred entry, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Special Entry Requirements

As part of the A level entry requirements, you should have at least a grade B in a relevant language (e.g. Japanese, French or Spanish) unless you are applying for the beginners variant of this course.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above, then please contact university directly for further information.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language at Grade C or above.

Assessment

For the majority of candidates the most important factors in assessing the application will be past and future achievement in examinations, academic interest in the subject being applied for, personal interest and extra-curricular activities and the confidential reference.

We consider applicants as individuals and accept students from a very wide range of educational backgrounds and spend time considering your application in order to reach an informed decision relating to your application. Typical offers are indicated above. Please note, there may be additional subject entry requirements specific to individual degree courses.

Fees and Funding

University Fees and Financial Support: UK/EU Students

Further information on fees and funding for 2012 can be found here

University Fees and Financial Support: International Students

The University will be charging International students £11,700.00 for all full time School of Political, Social and International Studies undergraduate programmes which start in 2012.

Please click to access further information about fees and funding for International students