Bachelor of Science (Hons) in International Relations

at University of Plymouth United Kingdom

Discover how and why underlying issues such as poverty, environmental degradation, societal inequities and politics create the international framework in which security conflicts emerge. Gain a sophisticated understanding of the dynamics that drive global politics, and the ability to use this knowledge in fields as diverse as diplomacy, journalism, finance, industry, public relations and risk analysis.

You'll look at both the theory and practice of international relations in terms of the threats to, and vulnerabilities of, global security and development. Three compulsory modules will give you a basis for understanding global security, global governance and how to conduct advanced research. You'll then choose three specialised modules, giving you the opportunity to shape your degree to suit your interests. The certificate and diploma are available for those only completing part of the progression route. For the masters degree, you’ll complete a final dissertation on a specific aspect of the current security and/or development problems confronting policymakers in world politics. You’ll undertake a research and methodology module to support your masters research and equip you for your career. Learn through lectures, seminars and, in some cases, simulation exercises. Assessment of modules will be by a mixture of essays, seminar presentations, report writing, exams, and the dissertation.

Key Features

• Gain a understanding of such topical issues as global politics, the rise of religious fundamentalism, human rights, world trade, poverty and climate change.
• Take the opportunity to study the politics of several world regions – Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia – and critically debate their different perspectives.
• Attain invaluable research skills – by studying this programme you will be able to conduct and present an extended piece of research.
• Tailor your masters to match your career aspirations by choosing the subjects that most interest you from a range of elective modules.
• Become part of a lively research community with the opportunity for interdisciplinary discussion and collaboration. Several of our students have gone on to work as research assistants.

Explore the challenges of today’s global financial community and investigate how the stock market and international money markets work. Graduate equipped to pursue a career in finance, accounting or management anywhere in the world.

Develop a critical perspective of finance as an academic subject and learn how it contributes to practice in the real world of finance. Many students go on to study masters degrees in finance, accounting or management. This course is available with a January or September start.

Key Features

• Enhance and broaden your existing knowledge of accounting and finance and investigate the challenges of financial management in the international arena.
• Build the confidence you’ll need to meet the challenges of economic change and graduate ready to be a successful player in the world of international finance and accounting.
• Tailor the course to meet your career goals by choosing from a range of optional courses. These range from investment management and international trade to risk management and quantitative finance.
• Get invaluable training on important finance software such as Bloomberg and DataStream so that when you start your career you can contribute from day one.
• Take the opportunity to continue and further your studies to postgraduate level with our MSc Finance programme. Alternatively many students also go on to study at masters level at a range of top universities in the UK and around the world.
• You will get invaluable training on important finance software such as Bloomberg and DataStream so that when you start your career you can contribute from day one.

We'll provide you with an in-depth knowledge of financial economics and with the ability to apply that knowledge to the analysis of a range of practical situations relevant to both future employment and learning. The core syllabus stresses the integration of theory and evidence in economic analysis and research. The course emphasises the acquisition of key analytical and numerical skills and the progressive development of independent research.

This course lasts for one or two years and is designed as a 'top-up' if you have already successfully completed study equivalent to a Foundation Degree, HND or an equivalent professional qualification. At the end of your study you will be eligible to receive a full honours degree. This course is available with a January or September start.

Key Features

• Choose an Economics course to suit you from the wide range of single, major and minor undergraduate degree courses available. All named awards share a common core syllabus, which stresses the integration of theory and evidence in economic analysis and research.
• All of our named awards share a core syllabus, stressing the integration of theory and evidence in economic analysis and research.
• Engage with current and past students with our Economics Society, and hear talks from visiting academics and professionals. The Economics Society also awards a graduation prize for best academic paper in the final year.
• We are one of a small number of institutions with a modern computer suite containing dedicated Bloomberg terminals giving you access to financial data and information.
• Join the Devon Junior Chamber and receive training and professional mentoring.
• Acquire key analytical and numerical skills, and develop your capacity for independent research.
• Apply your skills in a work environment by taking our optional industrial placement year, working full-time for a public or private sector organisation.
• Think sustainably – in your final year you may choose to take Environmental and Resource Economics and analyse the issue of environmental and resource scarcity and the possible policy responses to market failure. 

Our interdisciplinary design studio inspires you to challenge, disrupt and rethink design practices to create unique and compelling objects, artefacts and user experiences. Go hands-on with materials in our extensive workshops to design products, furniture, ceramics and lighting. Develop a rich portfolio that is relevant to the evolving needs of professional design practice and become a Designer Maker, or a Designer for Industry, or combine areas of 3D design practice.

Key Features

• Teaching is in small groups with the studio culture run like a design practice with innovative delivery including flipped classroom, podcasts and team teaching.
• Work alongside students from our Interior Design course in our vibrant studio with individual desk space and CAD stations.
• You’ll build up a portfolio with fresh projects starting every few weeks. Assessments are 100% coursework – so no exams.
• Culture trips to Europe and study exchanges in Japan, USA, India or Italy are also possible.
• Engage with real clients with live projects. We’ve recently run projects with Vitra, John Lewis, Red Paddle, UPP, architects Willmore Iles and Herman Millar.
• Gain valuable industry experience through our competitions, studio visits, visiting lecturers and our meet the supplier visits.
• BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design is professionally accredited by the Chartered Society of Designers.
• The studio practice mirrors contemporary professional practice, helping you develop the skills and confidence to succeed in the job market.

Creatively solve design problems as you learn to harness the power of typography within graphic design. Collaborate with students from other disciplines and world-leading researchers to discover how graphic design makes a positive impact in the world. Work hands-on in an inspiring and dedicated studio environment with 360-degree views of the cityscape and ocean before joining our community of graduates working for leading design studios worldwide.

Key Features

• Prepare yourself for your dream career: our graduates finding creative fulfilment working for companies such as DesignBridge, Leo Burnett, Snask, IBM and The Times.
• In your final year you can choose a specialism to match your interests and career goals with options that relate directly to the design industry. Choose from identity and branding, editorial and publishing and Information design.
• Draw on support from committed tutors with long-term industry and academic experience.
• Fly high and join alumni and current students who have won national and international competitions.
• Engage with live client briefs, giving your creativity real-world impact.
• Explore our range of resources including printmaking workshops, photographic studios and Apple Mac workstations complete with the latest Adobe CC software.
• Develop your knowledge and develop yourself by taking advantage of a learning environment that includes open plan studios with a 360 degree view of Plymouth, a city at the heart of art and culture in the South West.
• Have direct contact with prestigious visiting speakers such as Jonathon Barnbrook, Michael Johnson and Angus Hyland. Get feedback on your work from practicing graphic designers during our ‘Industrial Liaison Day’.

MA Acting is a full-time programme that works for you with innovative online modules and intensive advanced acting workshops culminating in a Solo Showcase supported by Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Integrated classes with final year students of our Equity and Spotlight accredited BA Acting programme enable intergenerational collaboration and make MA Acting students part of the rich cultural life of our vibrant, diverse and accessible Plymouth Conservatoire community

Key Features

• Solo Showcase performance with Theatre Royal Plymouth.
• Work professionally alongside your studies with innovative digital modules.
• Train and study your craft with leading researchers in the field.
• Integrated teaching with final year Equity and Spotlight accredited Acting programme.
• World-class and award-winning studios and theatre spaces.

 Autonomous systems will increasingly be adopted into every aspect of our daily lives. The future of autonomy, in the transport sector alone, is projected to grow tenfold to over US$550 billion by 2026. Plymouth is fast becoming a global centre for excellence in marine and robotic autonomy systems development. You will have the opportunity to use our specialist laboratories including the COAST and Robotics Laboratory for your dissertation.

Our one year course covers core principles of this emerging field: sensor technologies for machine perception; machine learning and AI for adaptation and decision making; embedded systems, communications, security and data management, for safe and efficient operations of an Autonomous System. The course also encompasses general ethical issues related to the societal acceptance of these systems. The course has been designed in conjunction with employers who contribute seminars and guest lectures.

Key Features

Become a driving force behind modern business. Our degree has deep industry ties and years of student feedback, which we use to shape the course and continuously adapt it to reflect current issues. Including an option to specialise in digital and social media marketing. Become a flexible, skilled communicator with a flair for marketing strategy, giving you the head start needed for a flying career in marketing management, advertising, digital marketing or marketing research.

You will distinguish yourself professionally with an accredited degree – this course is accredited by The Chartered Institute of Marketing, The Institute of Data and Marketing and works with The Market Research Society.

Key Features

• Distinguish yourself professionally with an accredited degree - this course is accredited by The Chartered Institute of Marketing, The Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing and works with The Market Research Society. Receive maximum exemptions from the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing.
• Be inspired by our teaching staff, who are widely published in their field and who have wide professional marketing expertise.
• Position yourself highly with future employers. The University's BSc (Hons) Marketing was ranked joint second for employability in the Complete University Guide rankings.
• Gain real world experience and be involved in a number of ‘live’ consultancy projects.
• Kick start your career and take a year in industry as a marketer with a major corporation, a dynamic agency or start your own business.
• 94% of students asked were satisfied overall with the course. 97% of students agreed that staff were good at explaining things and 94% of students felt that staff valued their opinions. Six months after graduating 85% of students were in a professional or managerial job.* (Source: NSS)
• To enhance the employability of our students we work with key professional bodies within marketing such as the IDM/DMA, MRS and CIM by ensuring that the subjects are relevant and up to date, providing opportunities for professional certificates and scope for future professional development. As part of the degree we provide opportunities to attain:
• IDM Certificate in Digital Marketing
• MRS Certificate in Market Research
• CIM Graduate Gateway

Get the best preparation to take on the challenge of a career as a primary teacher focusing on Special Educational Needs (SEN). With teaching methods shaped by our own research expertise, and plenty of on-the-job training in the classroom, you’ll gain the confidence and experience you need to work with SEN students in a variety of roles and settings. We’ll support you to explore the diversity of how children learn and develop your own toolkit for inclusive and effective teaching.

Have you considered

• BEd (Hons) Primary (FS/KS1 with QTS)
• BEd (Hons) Primary (KS1/KS2 with QTS)

Key Features

• Launch your career: obtaining integrated Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which means you can begin your teaching career immediately. Expand your horizons, enhance your practical experience and set yourself above the competition.
• SEN focus area: this degree will look at teaching over the primary phase but also look at the way SEN and inclusion feeds into KS1 and KS2 preparing you to work with children from any phase of primary education in either mainstream or special schools.
• Partnership with special schools: throughout this degree you will be visiting special schools and working with learners with inclusive needs. You will have a good understanding of how these schools support children with their learning.
• No exams: learn through interactive workshops and with no end-of-year/semester exams.
• Close links to the Master of Education (MA Ed): this link enables students to achieve enhanced career progression in a profession in which masters level attainment is increasingly valued.
• Work based learning opportunities: students benefit from a wide range of placement types within our partnership of over 500 schools and other settings, from single days to extended block placements to develop and consolidate QTS standards.
• Professional identity: from the very start of the programme you are considered as a teacher in development. The programme supports you as you develop your professional standards and identity.
• Research -informed teaching: not only are all modules enhanced by tutors’ active research interests but students are immersed in a research culture and benefit from learning about the advantages of researching their practice first hand.
• Student support: within the Plymouth Institute of Education there is a strong ethos of support for all students. Your professional tutor will actively engage with you throughout the BEd programme to offer guidance and support in both academic and pastoral terms.
• OfSTED recognised: recent inspection rated the Primary ITE provision at Plymouth as good in all aspects, with particular strengths in the partnership led elements of the programmes and the quality of the graduates.

The MSc Clinical Psychology offers masters-level clinical training that will provide you with the practical experience and knowledge you need to fast-track your future career in clinical practice. You will acquire an advanced understanding of clinical practice and research with a hands-on approach to learning, with the training of key clinical skills embedded in all elements of this course.

This includes the acquisition of competencies and understanding of group and family work, the cognitive behavior approach, and interventions to encourage behavior change. Working alongside doctoral trainees, extensive access to service users will provide you with a secure foundation for clinical practice, or preparation for doctoral training in clinical psychology.

Key features

• Learn through experience: activities that teach key clinical skills are embedded throughout the programme, allowing you to put your new knowledge directly into practice.
• Obtain accreditation for clinical skills and competencies, with the option to study part-time alongside clinical practice.
• Extensive access to service users provide a competitive advantage for the acquisition of real-world skills and experience.
• Gain insights on further training by working alongside trainees and tutors on our clinical doctoral training programme (DClinPsy).