BA (Hons) International Relations Programme Specification 2023-24

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2023-24
3	Revised February 2023
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6	Programme Title			BA (Hons) International Relations.
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2023		Award type			BA
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10	What level is this qualification?			Level 6		Length of programme			3 (4) years
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full time
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14	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
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16	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			Politics
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18	Lead department			Politics		Other contributing departments			N/A
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20	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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22	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus
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24	Partner organisations
25	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
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29	Reference points
30	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
31	Undergraduate Programme Design Policy; QAA Subject Benchmark Statement: Politics and International Relations.
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34	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
35	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
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39	Exceptions to Regulations
40	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
41	N/A
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44	Internal Transfers
45	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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47		Transfers in:	Transfers can normally only take place in the first 4 weeks of Stage 1 or in the summer between stages 1 and 2. Transfers from BA in Politics to the BA in Politics with International Relations are unlikely to be possible as the latter is usually full. The Board of Studies will not object to any requests for transfers to programmes in other departments but students need to check that they will be accepted. Transfers into the programme from other departments are usually only permitted in the first 4 weeks of Stage 1. Otherwise the student will need to apply to begin stage 1 again. Transfers into the programme from combined programmes including Politics can normally only take place in the first 4 weeks of Stage 1 or in the summer between stages 1 and 2. Transfers into the programme will be judged on the following criteria: 1. Whether the student can complete the requirements of the programme. [The Board will accept a reasonable substitution of stage one modules to facilitate a transfer from a combined programme to single subject Politics at the end of stage one] 2. Whether there is space on the programme 3. Whether the student would have been accepted if he/she had applied to the programme initially 4. The student's performance so far at York. Students applying to transfer at the end of stage 1 would have to pass the stage to progress and normally be expected to have an average of 60 in Politics modules.			Transfers out:	Transfers can normally only take place in the first 4 weeks of Stage 1 or in the summer between stages 1 and 2. The Board of Studies will not object to any requests for transfers to programmes in other departments but students need to check that they will be accepted. Transfers into the programme from other departments are usually only permitted in the first 4 weeks of Stage 1. Otherwise the student will need to apply to begin stage 1 again. Transfers into the programme from combined programmes including Politics can normally only take place in the first 4 weeks of Stage 1 or in the summer between stages 1 and 2. Transfers into the programme will be judged on the following criteria: 1. Whether the student can complete the requirements of the programme. [The Board will accept a reasonable substitution of stage one modules to facilitate a transfer from a combined programme to single subject Politics at the end of stage one] 2. Whether there is space on the programme 3. Whether the student would have been accepted if he/she had applied to the programme initially 4. The student's performance so far at York. Students applying to transfer at the end of stage 1 would have to pass the stage to progress and normally be expected to have an average of 60 in Politics modules.
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50	Statement of Purpose
51	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
52	Explore how international relations works, and how it should work. With migration crises, economic globalisation, and nuclear proliferation, international relations shape the fate of states and individuals alike. Our International Relations programme covers foundationally-important issues including democracy and elections, inequality, and war and peace, and also provides you with employability-enhancing independent research skills. First Year provides a broad grounding across key disciplinary sub-fields, and a chance to develop applied skills. Second year allows significant international relations specialisation, including through the core module on international relations and planet politics. Through your third year, an open choice of modules is combined with an international relations-focused dissertation, the capstone of your programme. By supporting you to understand international relations, and to think creatively about space for progressive change, we create graduates with a commitment to the global public good. We provide opportunities for interdisciplinary study within your programme. We support employability through skills enhancement, including opportunities for applied quantitative analysis capacity development. Our teaching reflects a commitment to diversification and decolonisation - we explore the way that power and privilege has shaped politics and the way we teach politics, and seek to create an inclusive departmental community. We ensure inclusive assessment by using robust supporting mechanisms to create a level playing field.
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63	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
64	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
65	Certificate of Higher Education (Level 4/Certificate) Generic.			Exit award only	Students exiting with a Certificate will have achieved PLOs 1 and 2 and made some progress towards PLOs 3,4,5 and 6			120 cr including 90 at Certificate Level (Stage 1).
66	Diploma of Higher Education (Level 5/Intermediate) Generic			Exit award only	Students exiting with a Diploma will have achieved PLOs 1 and 2 and made substantial progress towards PLOs 3,4,5 and 6.			in the past followed Guide to Assessment - 240cr including 90 at level I or higher.
67	Ordinary Degree			Exit award only	Students exiting with an Ordinary Degree will have achieved PLOs 1 and 2 and made substantial progress towards PLOs 3,4,5 and 6			in the past followed Guide to Assessment - 300cr including 60 at level H.
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69	Programme Learning Outcomes
70	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
71	1	Understand the origins, evolution and contemporary dynamics of international relations.
72	2	Apply theories, concepts and methods to aspects of international relations, using critical reasoning and (where appropriate) empirical testing to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
73	3	Research independently by: conceiving research questions; explaining the use of theories and concepts; selecting and applying appropriate tools to gather and interpret data; and justifying conclusions.
74	4	Achieve goals by demonstrating initiative, self-organization, and time management in individual or collaborative work.
75	5	Communicate effectively and fluently, translating advanced ideas through appropriate media and a range of formats.
76	6	Demonstrate intercultural awareness and a reflective approach to differing visions of the public good in light of the values of tolerance and inclusivity.
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78	Diverse entry routes
79	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
80	The First Year of the programme provides a foundation in disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, academic and writing skills, and academic integrity. All students are assigned a supervisor in the first week of Stage 1, that member of staff typically remains the student's supervisor for the three years of their degree. Supervisors meet with students regularly to discuss progress, both academic and pastoral and address any concerns students may wish to raise. Supervisors also have access to their students' marks and feedback to provide additional support regarding the development of academic skills over the course of the programme. Students are also signposted to other support services both in the department and the University for further support if needed. All students in Stage 1 and 2 will complete core modules which develop their academic and professional skills (Political Analysis and Research Design). These modules will ensure all students are well positioned to succeed on their programme, regardless of their prior experience when arriving at York.
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89	Inclusion
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91	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.
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93	Employability
94	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
95	Students will be trained how to think, act, engage, reflect and communicate as a researcher in International Relations. As well as developing subject-specific knowledge, a Politics degree will equip students with the following transferable skills: Logical thinking; Analysis of complex ideas, arguments and theories; Problem-solving; The ability to present succinct reports; Intellectual independence; Communication skills. In doing so, students gain the skills and knowledge to play a part in solving some of the world’s most pressing problems and are prepared for a variety of different careers, ranging from government, the civil service, research and policy-making, international organisations and NGOs, business and the financial sector. Contact with the Careers Office has been embedded in core modules to ensure that the enhancement of student's employability is at the forefront of the programme. Throughout the programme students apply their learning to real world examples and case studies. First year International Relations students get the chance to gain work experience over the summer term through our Politics@Work initiative. Students also have the option for a year in industry during the third year of their studies. The opportunity to undertake a one-year professional placement during the third year will help students to get ahead in the graduate job market by developing their employability and professional skills.
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