Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Relations

at Keele University United Kingdom

Studying History and Politics at Keele will enable you to develop your appreciation of various global histories and political arenas, whilst enjoying the rich history of our local area. In your spare time, you might find yourself exploring the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon metalwork most likely deposited in the 7th century in the then Kingdom of Mercia. The Staffordshire Hoard provides a window to England in the 6th and 7th centuries and also to the warrior elite that existed during these times and now rests less than 5 miles away from Keele.

Whether interpreting acts of resistance, assessing economic change, describing environmental behaviour or understanding acts of oppression, an appreciation of the past is essential to understanding where we are today and how we’re attempting to shape the future. Even societies in the very distant past can be highly relevant in this respect, which is why history and politics work very well together as subjects. You will learn the skills of the historian as you deepen your understanding of eras, continents and cultures from political, social and religious perspectives, and you will learn to use that knowledge to analyse the way in which societies govern themselves today. You’ll develop an understanding of different approaches to history and politics, developing a range of methods used in their pursuit. 

For the Medicinal Chemistry element of the course, you'll develop deep understanding of the complex chemical and biological processes involved in the design and manufacture of drugs and other therapies for treating disease. This course prepares you to help solve problems at the intersection of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology.

The goal of medicinal chemistry is to support the search for new drugs to treat conditions such as heart disease and cancer. You’ll work in well-equipped laboratories, and learn to conduct effective independent research. You’ll develop valuable skills for employment, such as problem solving, presentation and communication.

For the Neuroscience element of course, you will explore a range of topics which may include the mystery of the human brain: the central nervous system, the impact of drugs upon it, and the molecular biology of diseases and disorders of the brain. You’ll consider areas such as how we learn and remember, how our brains control our body, and how the brain regenerates and repairs itself.

You could study interesting disciplines such as neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology and neuropathology. Working in diverse ways, including in our superb labs, you’ll develop your independent research skills as you learn to acquire, interpret and analyse data from multiple sources. You’ll also understand how neuroscience can help us understand medical problems and improve the quality of life.

Studying our MSc in Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience will expose you to advanced topics in the study of cognition and behaviour including attention, perception, memory, decision-making, and emotion. Furthermore, the course will explore how these cognitive processes link to brain mechanisms by exploring neuroscience approaches and methods. In addition to developing general advanced research design and statistics skills, students will receive advanced training in specialist cognitive neuroscience methods such as EEG, eye-tracking, and brain stimulation with  data collection and analysis practicals using our specialist facilities.

Studying this course will allow you to cover the forensic process from the collection of evidence at the crime scene, to its presentation in court. You will explore key forensic areas such as genetics, anthropology, toxicology, ballistics and arson, alongside newer fields such as digital forensics. You will also develop your analytical science skills, so that you are able to analyse a wide variety of evidence types. This is complemented by additional emphasis on professional practice and an understanding of the roles of the crime scene investigator and the forensic scientist as an expert witness in the court.

The Philosophy part of your degree will provide you with a grounding in key questions about theories around the nature of knowledge (epistemology), ethics, and the nature of the world, and enable you to explore a range of contemporary and historical philosophical works. Within Education, you will study a range of topics such as race and politics in education, poverty, digital technologies and comparative perspectives on education from the past. As a result of your study, you will enhance your logical and critical thinking skills, developing the use of sound arguments while detecting fallacies and other argumentative weaknesses. 

You’ll learn to use technology to create new opportunities and to solve a wide range of problems, benefiting every aspect of society from the home to business, government and beyond.

Our teaching is informed by our cutting-edge research, and we also reflect what’s happening now in industry. There’s a strong emphasis on programming – but don’t worry if you don’t have A Level Mathematics, as the course covers what you need to know.

You’ll have access to our own computing labs, based on Microsoft Windows and Linux, plus a wide range of software. Our excellent central location is ideal for industrial placements, with over 40 companies situated on the Keele Science Park alone.

Computer game development requires a deep understanding of the architecture of computer systems, a thorough knowledge of practical software engineering in multimedia contexts and a strong ability to program complex graphical applications in C++. By following the 'Games' route through our undergraduate programme you will gain these skills and more, strengthening your CV and solidifying your understanding of high-performance Computer Science. You will have the opportunity to explore your interests in this area extensively, and will have the option to tailor your dissertation project to showcase your learning in a large project.

Throughout the business element of your degree, you will learn the fundamentals of business management and explore concepts and debates around a range of topics, which may include organisational behaviour, accounting and human resource management. While developing effective skills in listening, negotiating and persuasion, you’ll become adept at problem solving and decision making. You will also explore and apply theories about the nature, management and experience of employment in its local and global contex.

Our Data Science graduates are trained from first principles in Computer Science and Mathematics. The two disciplines are blended seamlessly throughout your degree. You will study fundamental mathematical and statistical techniques alongside modern software development methods. You will have the opportunity to apply your learning immediately using authentic datasets in our cutting-edge computing laboratories. You will also undertake significant development projects, including a final year data science dissertation. You'll explore a range of advanced technical topics which may include cloud computing, academic research, industry-focused professional skills and practical problem-solving. 

On this course, you’ll be studying life at the molecular level, investigating the most exciting areas of contemporary life science and medical research. You might explore the secrets of the human genome, or the individually tailored molecular therapies of the future.

Particular emphasis is placed on human and mammalian biochemistry, especially relating to health and disease. This Single Honours course includes more Biochemistry modules and also includes choices from a pool of elective modules (either directly related or free choice). You also have the opportunity to do a work/industrial placement year between the second and third year, making it a four year degree. 

Keele takes a broad approach to biology, examining the diversity of life and its evolution from the geological past. You’ll consider topics which may include the complexity of biological processes and mechanisms at molecular, cellular, organismal and ecosystem levels, exploring related philosophical and ethical issues. You’ll develop your practical skillset through activities which may include sampling, recording and analysing data in the field and in our well-equipped labs. You will also explore the behaviour and physiology of whole organisms.

Education at Keele has a strong focus on contemporary issues in education and policy making. Studying education means considering its relationship to the economy, its historical evolution, its impact on people’s life chances and identities, how education is organised, and how learners learn. Keele places education in a very contemporary and even future focused context, exploring the ways in which the world of education is changing, and looking at education from philosophical, historical, psychological, cultural and sociological perspectives. This course examines a wide range of topics which may include the changing ideas about childhood, learning, schooling and education, and factors such as poverty, social policies and digital technologies which impact on these. You will explore a range of educational topics, which could include both present and future developments in education and professional practice, against the wider background of social, cultural and economic change.

The course will help you to understand the basic principles of business management, with the behaviour of households and businesses together with organisational behaviour and strategy being key themes of this course. Additionally, you will examine the behaviour of financial institutions, such as banks, hedge funds and portfolio managers, their instruments and how they interact in markets. You will learn analytical and statistical methods and techniques for addressing real world problems, data and policy-related issues.

With access to professional software tools such as Bloomberg and Stata to analyse and interpret financial and business data, you will learn how to communicate complex information to a range of audiences.