BA

International Relations and Military History

BA International Relations and Military History Code F2VL Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Key Facts

F2VL

  • UCAS Tariff

  • Course duration

    4 years

Available for September start 2025

Further details on entry requirements

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For as long as there have been wars, people have been fascinated by their history – how those wars have been fought, by whom and why. As the world’s first Department of International Politics we have been pioneers in the study of warfare for over 100 years. We build on this legacy in our International Relations and Military History degree by exploring the key dynamics of conflicts in the past and trace their impact on today’s militaries and societies.

The integrated foundation year - designed for prospective students who do not have a sufficient or relevant academic background - is the perfect option to access this highly sought-after degree. In the foundation year, you will develop academic skills that will prepare you for the full degree from the second year onwards.

Course Overview

Why study International Relations and Military History at Aberystwyth University?

  • This single honours degree scheme offers students excellent teaching across a wide range of modules (around 20 to choose from in years 2 & 3), an intellectually stimulating but friendly environment with a strong sense of community.
  • You will be guided and mentored by lecturers who are enthusiastic and committed to providing you with an outstanding and dynamic learning environment.
  • You'll study the development of warfare since the time of Napoleon, examining how and why the character of war has changed. You can explore how technology has shaped combat, from the age of steam through to nuclear weapons, drones, and cyberwarfare.
  • At Aberystwyth, we take an international approach which embeds your knowledge of military matters within the wider context of world politics, and you can study regions such as the Middle East, Russia and the Americas, as well as Europe. 
  • Military History and IR students are often at the heart of student life in Interpol at Aber (as it’s affectionately known) and some join our local Officer Training Corps.
  • As well as honing your academic skills, our modules will equip you with the know-how you’ll need for life after university, like writing policy briefs, giving presentations and using your creativity to solve problems.
  • In addition, we offer a number of modules taught entirely or partially through the medium of Welsh.
  • Our graduates go into a wide range of career pathways, from diplomacy to journalism, civil service or working for political parties, NGOs or international organisations like the UN, defence as well as other graduate pathways into business, industry, education and the public sector.

Opportunities – IR and Military History students at Aberystwyth can:

  • Apply for our prestigious Parliamentary Placement Scheme: a three to four week internship which enables you to gain valuable experience working alongside an MP in Westminster) or an MS in Cardiff.
  • Join our renowned ‘Crisis Games’ – a role-playing exercise in political, economic and diplomatic manoeuvres which will develop your negotiation and communication, critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills. A highlight of the course.
  • Spend a semester abroad studying in many destinations, across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
  • Get involved and feel part of our departmental community through activities, like the regular ‘Roundtable’ discussions on key global events, Interpol Society activities, the student journal Interstate, Student Diversity Group and our popular social events.
Our Staff

Lecturers in the Department of International Politics are all research active and qualified to PhD level, and most also have a PGCHE.

Modules September start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
How to be a Student 1 GS09520 20
How to be a Student 2 GS09320 20
Information in a Post-Truth World GS01120 20
Introduction to Social Science GS09720 20
The "Othered" Migrant: Social Science Perspectives GS09620 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Representing the Other: Cultures and Clashes GS09820 20
Understanding Change - Environment, People, Places GS00820 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Exploring the International 1: Central Concepts and Core Skills * IP12420 20
The Making of the Modern World: War Peace and Revolution since 1789 IP12820 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Behind the Headlines * IP12620 20
Globalization and Global Development IP12520 20
Politics in the 21st Century IP12920 20
War, Strategy and Intelligence IP10320 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Warfare after Waterloo: Military History 1815-1918 IP25320 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
A War on the Mind: Propaganda and Secret Intelligence from the Great War to the 21st Century IP28320 20
Britain and Ireland in War and Peace since 1800 IP28820 20
Capitalism and International Politics IQ22820 20
Climate Change Politics IP21420 20
Climate Change and International Politics in the Anthropocene IP20720 20
Contemporary Latin America IP28720 20
Devolution and Wales IP25020 20
EU Simulation IP24020 20
Economic Diplomacy and Leadership IQ24320 20
Fear, Cooperation and Trust in World Politics IQ22920 20
From Mincemeat to Cyberwars: A Global Perspective on Covert Operations since 1945 IQ20520 20
International Politics and Global Development IP29220 20
International Relations: Perspectives and Debates * IP20120 20
Intervention and Humanitarianism IQ20220 20
Justice, Order, Human Rights IQ21720 20
Knowing about Violent Conflict in International Politics IQ24420 20
Militaries and Crisis: Where Strategy Meets Society IP20820 20
NATO: From Cold War to Hybrid War IP23320 20
Nationalism in Theory and Practice IP29920 20
People and Power: Understanding Comparative Politics Today IQ23920 20
Political Theory IP22220 20
Politics in Diverse Societies IQ23720 20
Questions of International Politics IP26820 20
Russian intelligence from Lenin to Putin IQ24920 20
Science, Technology, and International Relations IP23020 20
Strategy, Intelligence and Security in International Politics IQ25120 20
Terrorism & Counter Terrorism in the Modern World: Policing, Intelligence & War IP24520 20
The Arab-Israeli Wars IP21320 20
The BRICS in World Politics IQ20320 20
The European Union: Politics, Policies, Problems IP23820 20
The Governance of Climate Change: Simulation Module IP22320 20
The Past and Present of US Intelligence IP26020 20
The Second World War in Europe IP26420 20
The Strategy and Politics of Nuclear Weapons IP20420 20
Total War, Total Peace IQ23420 20
Trade Wars and the Liberal Order IQ21620 20
UK Politics Today: A Union Under Strain? IQ23820 20
War Crimes IQ25720 20
Women and Global Development IP29620 20
Women and Military Service IP21620 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Dissertation IP30040 40

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
A War on the Mind: Propaganda and Secret Intelligence from the Great War to the 21st Century IP38320 20
Britain and Ireland in War and Peace since 1800 IP38820 20
Capitalism and International Politics IQ32820 20
Climate Change Politics IP31420 20
Contemporary Latin America IP38720 20
Devolution and Wales IP35020 20
EU Simulation IP34020 20
Economic Diplomacy and Leadership IQ34320 20
Fear, Cooperation and Trust in World Politics IQ32920 20
From Mincemeat to Cyberwars: A Global Perspective on Covert Operations since 1945 IQ30520 20
Intervention and Humanitarianism IQ30220 20
Justice, Order, Human Rights IQ31720 20
Knowing about Violent Conflict in International Politics IQ34420 20
Militaries and Crisis: Where Strategy Meets Society IP30820 20
NATO: From Cold War to Hybrid War IP33320 20
Nationalism in Theory and Practice IP39920 20
Political Theory IP32220 20
Politics in Diverse Societies IQ33720 20
Questions of International Politics IP36820 20
Russian intelligence from Lenin to Putin IQ34920 20
Science, Technology, and International Relations IP33020 20
Terrorism & Counter Terrorism in the Modern World: Policing, Intelligence & War IP34520 20
The Arab-Israeli Wars IP31320 20
The BRICS in World Politics IQ30320 20
The European Union: Politics, Policies, Problems IP33820 20
The Past and Present of US Intelligence IP36020 20
The Second World War in Europe IP36420 20
The Strategy and Politics of Nuclear Weapons IP30420 20
Total War, Total Peace IQ33420 20
Trade Wars and the Liberal Order IQ31620 20
UK Politics Today: A Union Under Strain? IQ33820 20
War Crimes IQ35720 20
Women and Global Development IP39620 20
Women and Military Service IP31620 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Employability is embedded within all courses provided by us. Our degrees provide a solid foundation for a vast array of careers across a range of sectors. In a rapidly shifting global economy, our graduates are adaptable and able to draw on a range of transferable skills, ensuring that they are always in demand.

The skill sets include:

  • effective problem solving and creative thinking skills
  • Information technology skills
  • the ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • time-management and organisational skills
  • communication skills, both written and oral
  • self-motivation and self-reliance.

What opportunities are there for me after I complete my degree?

Our graduates are working in the following areas:

  • the development sector
  • local and national politics
  • the Civil Service
  • Government research
  • Social research
  • the third sector such as with NGOs
  • international organisations
  • journalism.

What opportunities are there for me whilst studying at University?

Employability is embedded across our teaching. We teach our students to aim for the career they want, not the job that they can get.

  • Students can apply for our prestigious Parliamentary Placement Scheme, a 3-4 week internship for second years working alongside an MP in Westminster or an MS in Cardiff.
  • We are also home to Interstate, the oldest student-run international politics journal in the United Kingdom, providing a unique opportunity for you to publish your work (particularly advantageous if you wish to progress to postgraduate study) or gain valuable experience working as part of the editorial team.
  • Stimulating student societies foster a strong sense of community within the department, offering a programme of political debates, visiting speakers, conferences and workshops, alongside numerous social activities such as an annual ball.

What work experience opportunities are available to me while I study?  

Find out about the various opportunities that our Careers Service offers. Enhance your employability prospects with our Year in Employment Scheme.

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four-year degree scheme.

In your first year you will develop a solid academic base to prepare you for the full degree from Year 2 onwards.

In your second year you have the opportunity to explore:

  • key issues in the fields of War, Strategy and Intelligence
  • international history and the making of the modern world
  • a range of perspectives and approaches to the study of international politics
  • contemporary political problems and how they are portrayed
  • the different methodologies to analyse topical issues in international and domestic politics.

In your third and fourth years, you will have the opportunity to study issues such as:

  • the evolution of warfare since Napoleon
  • the role of war and warfare in the history of key states and regions (such as the USA, the UK and Ireland, Russia, and the Middle East)
  • key aspects of the Cold War, the Second World War, the relations between state, societies and the military, total war, intelligence and warfare.

You will also undertake a dissertation in the final year to demonstrate your substantive knowledge in your chosen subject area.

How will I be taught?

We deliver this degree through the medium of lectures and seminars.

We encourage our students to take part in the Crisis Games. Crisis games have been based on humanitarian crises, the Northern Ireland peace process, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US presidential election, an Arctic environmental disaster, war between Russia and Georgia. The Crisis Games will allow you to learn about aspects of international politics which cannot be taught in lectures and seminars, especially the constraints which political leaders face in responding to various crises. This is no doubt, the highlight of the year.

Assessment

We assess our students through essays, reports, examinations, book reviews, learning logs and presentations.

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff

A Levels Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation.

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh

BTEC National Diploma:
Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation.

International Baccalaureate:
Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation.

European Baccalaureate:
Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation.

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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