Undergraduate students in a Politics group study session, Monica Partridge building

International Security Studies BA

University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

Are you looking to understand the most pressing security challenges of the 21st century? Would you like to be part of the solution to these global problems?

Our BA International Security Studies provides you with the theoretical and practical tools to address key political and security issues of our time and provide the key transferrable skills to equip you to understand, and work in a complex geopolitical environment. 

Whether you're interested in combatting terrorism, managing the response to natural disasters, or promoting national security, our modules provide you with a deep understanding of the most pressing issues and debates in global politics and security, taught by our team of security experts in the School of Politics and International Relations. With a focus on both theoretical and practical learning, you'll be prepared to tackle real-world challenges and devise strategic solutions. 

Our course goes beyond the theoretical, providing you with insights into the politics of the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa, and the EU. You’ll study traditional security threats and topics such as human, health and energy security, widening the security agenda. You may also have the option to study organisations that deal with emergent security threats, taking your interest further with dissertation supervision in your final year. 

This course sets you up for a career in the private, public or charitable sectors. Whether you're interested in working as a parliamentary assistant, councillor, civil servant, researcher, or policy analyst, our course can help you achieve your career goals. Our school alumni have secured jobs at top organisations such as the BBC, Citibank, PwC, Civil Service, House of Commons, and Unison. 

 

Indicative modules

Mandatory

Year 1

International Politics of the Asia-Pacific

Mandatory

Year 1

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Mandatory

Year 1

Introduction to Political Theory

Mandatory

Year 1

Problems in Global Politics

Mandatory

Year 1

Understanding Global Politics

Optional

Year 1

British Constitution in Crisis

Optional

Year 1

Political Theory in Practice

Mandatory

Year 2

Global Security

Mandatory

Year 2

International Politics in the 20th Century

Optional

Year 2

British Party Politics

Optional

Year 2

Democracy and its Critics

Optional

Year 2

Experiencing National Identity

Optional

Year 2

How Voters Decide

Optional

Year 2

International Political Economy and Global Development

Optional

Year 2

Politics and Public Policy in China

Optional

Year 2

Social and Global Justice

Optional

Year 2

The Transformation of European Politics

Optional

Year 3

African Politics

Optional

Year 3

China in Global Politics

Optional

Year 3

Dissertation

Optional

Year 3

Gender and Political Representation

Optional

Year 3

Ideas and Politics in Contemporary Britain

Optional

Year 3

Inside Out: The UK and the EU

Optional

Year 3

Left and Right in Contemporary Politics

Optional

Year 3

The Middle East and the World

Optional

Year 3

The Middle East and the World

Optional

Year 3

Political Challenges and Multiple Crises in the Global Economy

Optional

Year 3

Political Parties and Party Systems Around the Globe

Optional

Year 3

Political Violence

Optional

Year 3

Politics Placement

Optional

Year 3

Race and Politics

Optional

Year 3

Responding to Extremism: Politics, Power, and Ethics

Optional

Year 3

Secret Intelligence and International Security

Optional

Year 3

Special Relationship? Anglo-American Security Relations

Optional

Year 3

The EU as a Global Power

Optional

Year 3

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: The Morality of Capitalism

Optional

Year 3

The Politics of Ethnic Conflict

Optional

Year 3

The Politics of Human Rights

Optional

Year 3

The Politics of Inequality

Optional

Year 3

The Russo-Ukranian War

Optional

Year 3

The Struggle for Democracy

Optional

Year 3

Theories of the Modern State

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About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Thursday 25 April 2024. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

University undergraduate student Cole Pearce studying in Nightingale Hall accommodation's library, University Park. November 5th 2021.

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Open Day June 2022