International Relations BA (Hons)

The world of the future is globalised. Our planet is shared, our economy is interconnected, and the challenges we face demand co-operation — but international politics remains divided. This is the fundamental problem that students of International Relations (IR) must unravel, by confronting the critical issues we face as global citizens: from war and conflict, to climate change, global poverty, gender violence, and racial injustice.<br/><br/>Whatever your interests, IR@NTU is all about personalisation. After establishing the essentials in Year One, you’ll be designing your degree to reflect the things you want to explore. Maybe that’s political violence and terrorism, or the global politics of pop culture, or perhaps a regional focus on Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. You might want to consider a career in diplomacy or the media, or maybe you`re passionate about feminism or postcolonialism — IR@NTU has it all. The whole course culminates in a dissertation project where you’ll choose your topic, study it in real depth with the support of a specialist supervisor, and then become an IR expert yourself.<br/><br/>This course does IR differently by disrupting the discipline, developing innovative approaches to teaching, and encouraging more creative ways of learning. You’ll build the key transferable skills for a career in project management, diplomacy, the media, NGOs, logistics, multinational corporations, national security, and so much more. The jobs of the future are globalised, and nothing will prepare you better to succeed in that environment than our IR degree.<br/><br/>IR@NTU – The World is Yours. <br/><br/>**Why study International Relations at NTU?**<br/><br/><br/>- **Work on real-world collaborations, projects and simulations** on topics which matter to you and develop core skills such as digital literacies and data visualization throughout.<br/><br/><br/>- **Study in the heart of the vibrant and multicultural city of Nottingham**, with a proud political history steeped in community activism.<br/><br/><br/>- **You will have the opportunity to undertake an optional year-long placement** and/or study abroad in your second year, with one of our international partners across the world.<br/><br/><br/>- **Learn a language as part of your degree with optional modules in your second and final year.** Choosing between Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish, a new world of opportunities will open for you with beginner to advanced classes.<br/>

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is a university like no other – their combination of world-class facilities, quality teaching, award-winning student support and a buzzing student community provides a student experience like no other. <br/><br/>Ranked 2nd in the UK for Student Life (University Compare 2026), NTU is a place that everyone can call home. Artisanal chefs can perfect their choux buns in industry-standard kitchens, athletes can test their skills at local sports clubs & major stadiums, and lawyers can build up their confidence in the mock courtroom. With over 130 clubs and societies to choose from, you'll also have the chance to try out new activities and meet people from across the globe.<br/><br/>NTU is based in the Midlands, the cheapest region to live as a student in England (National Student Money Survey 2023). With over 60,000 students, it’s compact, friendly, and well-located, and offers amazing experiences, life-changing opportunities, and a unique spirit. <br/><br/>Start your NTU journey this September with guaranteed accommodation (T&C's apply). <br/><br/>"Coming here was the best decision I ever made; the course is fantastic, everything has been really easy, and I honestly couldn't see myself anywhere else now."<br/>Katie Hewiston, BA (Hons) Fashion Management