Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Politics with International Year

at Keele University United Kingdom

The MA/MRes in Politics and International Relations is distinctive as it is one of the most diverse collections of Masters pathways in the UK. The programme offers the possibility of developing an individual specialism as well as learning about broader issues in the pathway, and in wider fields of Politics and International Relations. You will gain a thorough grounding in the philosophical and practical issues underpinning study and research in Politics and International Relations. You will study 3 compulsory core taught modules, 4 optional modules and a dissertation over 12 months. 

Key benefits of studying for the MA/MRes in Politics and International Relations include; small class sizes, expert dissertation supervision on cutting-edge issues and debates, a dynamic academic community, strong student-staff relations and stimulating extra-curricular seminars and workshops. Staff and students regularly organise research events, which provide important opportunities for learning, networking and collegial debate on contemporary political and philosophical issues. For example, we host an annual Royal Institute of Philosophy lecture series, a bi-annual European Consortium on Political Research environmental politics PhD summer school, and in recent years have organised several ESRC-funded (Economic and Social Research Council) seminar series. 

On this course, you will integrate understanding of our physiology with the holistic and behavioural approach of psychology. You'll cover a broad range of topics which may include health and disease, social, cognitive and biological psychology and research methods. Human Biology provides a broad understanding of the physiology of the body’s major systems as well as human health and disease and the relationship between the human body with the environment.

You will be challenged with exciting ideas and findings from psychology and human biology. In Psychology, you will deal with social and developmental psychology, cognitive and biological psychology and research methods. You will explore issues that relate to our ever changing lifestyles and will be taught through a multidisciplinary approach that is supported by input from experts in their field. You’ll benefit from a supportive environment as well as fantastic lab facilities and equipment.

You will study accountancy with a specialism in finance, exploring the design and use of accounting and financial systems and how they are affected by individuals, organisations, markets and society. Core financial and management accounting modules will be supported with the opportunity to study specialist topics such as taxation, corporate governance and audit. Finance modules are designed to introduce and explore the theories leading to the design of financial institutions, the services they provide and the products they sell. Observational and analytical skills will be developed and practiced throughout your study. 

In an increasingly globalised economy, almost all businesses operate internationally. Trade, investment and finance cut across national boundaries and are governed by a complex web of transnational laws and regulations. As a result, the demand for professionals with a rich understanding of how law and business operate at a global level continues to grow. This LLM in International, Commercial and Business Law offers students with undergraduate qualifications in Law or Business the opportunity for advanced study in both disciplines and prepares them for the challenges of advising companies, governments and other institutions on issues such as the regulation of international trade, foreign investors' rights, and international litigation. 

Studying Criminology and History at Keele will enable you to develop your appreciation of various global histories, whilst enjoying the rich history of our local area. Criminology is a rapidly developing field which draws on insights and methods from disciplines such as law, social sciences, and psychology to explore crime, crime control and justice from a range of perspectives. Similarly, you'll be introduced to a wide range of history - from political, social, economic and cultural history to the history of gender, health, sexuality and religion. 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.

The History element of the programme will carry you chronologically from the medieval period to the present, and span the globe. Throughout your first year, you may engage in modules that encourage you to explore topics such as how European rulers tried to strengthen their authority with the increase of military power between the late fifteenth and late seventeenth centuries, or some of the key defining moments in History which may include the 1720 South Sea Bubble in Britain, the 1791 Haitian Revolution or the 1933 Bauhaus movement.  

On our exciting new flagship MSc, you’ll interact with entrepreneurs and start-ups, working on real-life business projects while you learn to give you the skills, knowledge and versatility to create and lead change with confidence in dynamic, unpredictable, complex and diverse environments.

Capitalising on Keele Business School’s co-location with the Smart Innovation Hub, you’ll engage not only with leading academics but with start-ups and entrepreneurs to gain a thorough grounding in current theories and concepts of enterprise and innovation, while watching entrepreneurs in action.

Thanks to our involvement in the EU-funded Keele Research and Innovation Support Programme (KRISP), you’ll be able to experience the challenges business managers face first hand, giving you a unique insight into broader business operations and the technological, legal, financial, ethical and economic constraints in developing new products, processes or services. To date, we’ve helped over 200 small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Team building, group work, research, presentations and projects will help you develop vital management skills, such as business planning, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, delegation and time management.

Media and Sociology is a distinctive combined degree which enables you to explore the sociological implications of social media, popular culture, and the mass media, whilst offering opportunities to engage in creative media practice such as film-making and photography.

You will attend lectures led by an interdisciplinary team of experts in their field, participate in seminars, and get hands-on experience of media production including pre- and post-production techniques. You will have access to media production facilities and the opportunity to try a range of media forms including photography, digital video, magazine production, newsmaking and social media.

The media modules combine a distinctive balance of theory and practice so you can develop as a critical and thoughtful practitioner. You will study the role of media in society, the impact of the political economy on media content and the relationship between content and audiences. You will analyse popular cultural forms such as TV, memes, film and news, think about their meaning in contemporary social life and explore your ideas through media production.

You will study fundamental mathematical and statistical techniques alongside modern software development methods. You will have the opportunity to apply your learning using authentic datasets in our cutting-edge computing laboratories.

You'll explore a range of advanced technical topics which may include cloud computing, as well as academic research, industry-focused professional skills and practical problem-solving ensure you are fully equipped for an exciting and intellectually stimulating journey as a Data Scientist.

On this programme, you will also combine the key principles of Neuroscience with more specific areas of the subject such as neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology and neuropathology.

Working in diverse ways, including our well-equipped labs, you’ll develop independent research skills as you learn to acquire, interpret and analyse data from multiple sources. You will also understand how neuroscience can help us understand medical problems and improve the quality of life. 

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.

As a Biology student at Keele, you will explore a range of engaging biological topics, which may include the complexity of biological processes and mechanisms at molecular, cellular, organismal and ecosystem levels and related philosophical and ethical issues. You’ll be encouraged to examine how bodies work, how animals behave and the uses to which we can put plants. You'll develop your practical skill set through a range of activities which may include sampling, recording and analysing data in the field and also in our well-equippedlabs, and you'll be encouraged to consider how biology can be utilised practically which may relate to improving the quality and sustainability of life.