Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £17,155 per year -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
AA27
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Where will I study?
1. Course summary
- Advance your knowledge of politics, international relations and policy making.
- Gain a critical understanding of a wide range of institutions, ideologies and theories.
- Explore today’s issues in social justice, climate change and decolonisation.
- Learn in a global context, travel abroad, visit embassies and interact with policymakers.
- Join an active student community – debating, influencing and publishing articles to drive social change.
By studying Politics and International Relations at Sheffield Hallam University, you will develop the skills to formulate and defend complex ideas – and the ability to think clearly and objectively. From local councils to the United Nations, you’ll learn from well-connected, global experts – preparing yourself to make a difference to local, national and international policy.
If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation year.
2. How you learn
On this course you’ll gain the skills you need for your political career. Your classwork is supplemented by guest speakers from the public, academic, non-governmental and campaign sectors. Not only do they provide different perspectives on real-world issues, they also offer an insight into the knowledge and skills you’ll need to work in their sectors.
You’ll be taught by experts who help to build a friendly, interactive community where you can become the best you can possibly be. Our staff are recognised nationally – for example, one of our experts was recently invited to participate in EU research for the UK government. We also have great links locally with media outlets, Sheffield City Council and the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce – all really useful networking opportunities if you’re completing a placement during your studies.
You learn through:
- Lectures and seminars
- Expert teaching
- Guest speakers
- Away days
- Workshops
- E-learning
- Placement opportunities
- An international field trip
- Debates
Key themes
This course covers a broad spectrum, giving you the opportunity to explore your interests through a wide range of pathways. You’ll travel, learn about policy-making environments and talk to practitioners and advocacy groups – as well as having the chance to practise your skills in a model UN setting, work on live projects with local authorities, and interact with real policymakers.
You can choose from a range of elective modules such as gender, peace & (in)security, understanding human rights, terrorism and counterterrorism, and international political economy.
From Brexit, COVID and climate change, to the human issues of social justice, gender and decolonisation, you’ll delve into the big hot-button issues. You’ll leave Sheffield Hallam University able to form political arguments, debate effectively and influence decision makers – ready to start your career.
Course support
You’ll be supported by staff every step of the way. This might be by working with others in small groups, or developing your own independent learning style.
You’ll also be supported towards highly-skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development
- Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars, and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- Industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities
- Internationalisation and employability training with policy actors, locally as well as during our field trip to Brussels
Course leaders and tutors

Carissa Honeywell
Senior Lecturer in Politics and International RelationsSenior Lecturer In Politics and International Relations
Applied learning
Live projects
You’ll undertake live projects as part of your degree, getting a taste of how to use the skills you learn on the course in the real world. For example, you could be undertaking research for the local council to help them with contemporary issues – on a project which also feeds into your assessments and enhances your CV.
You can also choose from a range of elective modules such as gender, peace & (in)security, understanding human rights, terrorism and counterterrorism, and international political economy. You’ll undertake a more demanding commissioned project, working in a team to meet the needs of local and international organisations.
Field trips
During the course, you can join a five-day field trip, at no additional cost, to Brussels to learn first-hand about the EU’s policy-making environment. You can also attend conferences in your first and final years.
These are superb opportunities to put what you learn in lectures, seminars and projects into context in the real world. You’ll have the chance to be inspired by political leaders, and interact and learn from experts.
And there are opportunities to study abroad at one of ourpartner universities– withthe possibility of funding through theTuring Scheme.
Work placements
During the second year, there’s the opportunity to undertake an eight-week structured work placement. This gives you real-world experience to prepare you for your future career.
Previous students have worked on projects under the direction of a supervisor in workplaces such as local MPs offices, the police service, schools, council departments, the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and community associations.
Alternatively, you can study abroad for 12 weeks at a university in Europe, Australia, the USA or Canada. This is a great chance to learn about different cultures and learning styles, as well as being able to travel to new places and meet new people.
Networking opportunities
As a Politics and IR student, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in Model United Nations (MUN) simulations. This is a fantastic, hands-on experience that has been undertaken by many of today's leaders in law, government and business. You’ll train as the representative of a country – perhaps in crisis – and learn to debate, think critically, speak publicly, and negotiate with other delegates from around the world.
Networking is a key feature of this course. You’ll engage with guest lecturers – who can include local MPs be part of an active student-run Politics and Debating societies, and you can even get your ideas published as articles in Hallam’s renowned Politics Review Magazine.
All this will help you grow into becoming part of a diverse, supportive learning community that offers you access to extensive networks to support your studies and career development.
3. Future careers
From a fantastic student community, this course produces impressive alumni. From writing workshops and away days to weekly debates and quizzes, you’ll be surrounded by an excellent network of like-minded peers to prepare you for your future.
This course prepares you for a comprehensive range of potential career paths, including:
- Government and public sector
- Think tanks
- Third sector and non-governmental organisations
- Police, prison, and probation
- Business and human resource management
- Policy and social research positions
- Civil service
- Trade unionism
- International consultancy
- Media and journalism
- Health and related areas
- International aid development
- Public affairs
- Education
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- EUK Consulting
- The Civil Service
- Local government
- Fluent Futures
- Middlesex University Students' Union
4. Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour

Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn more5. Equipment and facilities
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
We’re currently situated in the Heart of the Campus, with plans to move to a new state-of-the-art building in the city centre soon.
6. Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 64
This must include at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications excluding general studies For example:
- CC at A Level
- MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Pass overall from a T level qualification with D or E from core
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4 or equivalent
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalent
ACCESS
- Access to HE Diploma, with at least 45 level 3 credits.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Compulsory modules
This module examines a number of contemporary themes and issues relevant to the study of psychology, sociology, social policy, politics and international relations, geography, and sustainable environmental management. You’ll expand your knowledge of these disciplines and develop the academic skills you’ll need in your successful progression into higher education.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Different research approaches and using data to investigate a problem
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Key perspectives, ideas and theories
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Key themes in natural science, and society’s relationship with our changing world
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Citing and referencing information
This module examines a number of contemporary themes and issues relevant to the study of psychology, sociology, social policy, politics and international relations, geography and sustainable environmental management. You’ll expand your knowledge of these disciplines and develop the academic skills you’ll need in your successful progression into higher education.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Different research approaches and using data to investigate a problem
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Key perspectives, ideas and theories
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Key themes in natural science, and society’s relationship with our changing world
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Citing and referencing information
Compulsory modules
This module critically examines key theories and issues of planetary politics and the discipline of international relations (IR) – studying links between states, societies and people. You’ll explore IR from its origins in the 20th century, focusing on issues such as war, security, climate change, globalisation, international terrorism, coloniality and gender – connecting the theory with real-world examples from all regions.
You’ll study topics such as:
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The role of the state
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Complexities of IR and the international system
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War, conflict and cooperation in IR
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Postcolonialism and coloniality
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International organisations
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Globalisation
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International migration
This module critically examines and evaluates various forces, issues and events that have shaped British politics and political developments between 1940 and the present day. You’ll critically explore the changing nature of British domestic and foreign politics and policies, examining and evaluating Britain’s changing role in the world in the post-Second World War period.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Impact of the Second World War on Britain
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The foundation of the welfare state
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Policies and politics in the post-war period
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Significant social and economic changes
You’ll also study developments in British foreign and defence policies including:
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The retreat from empire
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Nuclear deterrence in the Cold War
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The US-UK special relationship
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Post-9/11 challenges
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Europe and Brexit
This module provides a detailed understanding and experience of contemporary methods, issues and theories in politics and IR research. You’ll engage with a range of different empirical methods – the guiding philosophical principles of research and research contexts – preparing to conduct your own research and critically assess academic and political research.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Research philosophy
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Reviewing the literature
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Research ethics
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Constructing a research project
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Quantitative and qualitative methods
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Analysing data
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Writing and presenting research
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Decolonising research methods
This module introduces theories and concepts within the social and political sciences – including ideas from Ancient Greece to the present day – demonstrating how theory informs a range of social and political issues and policies in the twenty-first century. You’ll understand how ideologies are shaped, how political conflict emerges and how social resolutions are sought.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Political theory
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Social theory and policy
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Social and political concepts
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Welfare, inequality, democracy and elections
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Ideologies and values
Compulsory modules
This module provides a critical exploration of debates and evidence about Europe as a social, cultural, and political phenomenon, and examines the structure and roles of European Union integration in an historical context.
Students will critically analyse the development of the European Union, its major policies, and the theoretical underpinnings of integration. They will critically explore the functioning of the EU's key institutions and its interactions with other EU-level policy actors and advocacy groups influencing the overall EU policy-making environment and policy outcomes. The module analyses, compares and evaluates the dynamics and relationships between the EU, its member states and the rest of the world; and assesses the Political Economy and International Relations aspects of the integration process through EU policy case studies.
Employability – Skills training: Compose think-tank / institutional / NGO briefing paper.
Internationalisation – Analysing the EU’s policy-making environment and meeting first-hand practitioners.
Indicative content:
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Europe and the European Union institutions
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EU level-policy making environment.
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Political Economy of Integration and IR
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(Dis)Integration Theory
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Meeting practitioners and applied engagement with advocacy
This module explores how war and militarism can be understood as both every-day and exceptional politics – facilitated by and mediated through processes of globalisation – to shape societies and the self. The module challenges orthodox understandings to further explore how military logics of hierarchy, violence and war impact civilian engagement with politics, seeking to make sense of the complexities of globalisation and militarism in the twenty-first century.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Critical theories of globalisation and militarism
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War stories, remembrance and the nation
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Case studies, issues, events and perspectives
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Citizenship, engagement and resistance
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How ideas of militarism shape relationships and communities
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Social movements
Elective modules
This module engages in experiential learning through a collaborative, applied project with an external organisation, applying your academic skills and knowledge in real-world contexts while carrying out authentic professional activities. You’ll develop awareness and understanding of the impacts, challenges and opportunities facing local governance in a changing world – including a broad overview of the theoretical and practical development of local government frameworks, governance, local service, welfare provisions – as well as global issues such as human rights.
You’ll apply learning and skills such as:
- Reflection on your project management and employability
- The task, its parameters and required outputs
- Role allocation, work allocation and project timelines
- Understanding and analysing current local governance structures
- Identifying policy challenges and implementation challenges
- Analysing institutional policy frameworks and theories of governance
- Awareness of rules and budgetary constraints
- Applied creative problem solving and policy communication
- The development of volunteering and the voluntary sector
- The implementation of relevant government policies
This module explores the nature of ethnic identity and its political manifestations in Northern Ireland, South Africa, the former Yugoslavia, Iraq and Israel/Palestine – societies that have witnessed inter-ethnic hostility and political violence. The module seeks to explain the historical and contemporary factors related to ethnic difference and conflict in these contexts, including how fixed or fluid ethnic identity is, especially in deeply divided societies.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Ethno-politics
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Religion
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Territoriality and segregation
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Alienation
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Political violence
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Peacebuilding and reconciliation
This module introduces contemporary issues in the relationships between societies and nature, from the impacts of global climate crises to critically analysing a variety of approaches and concepts that examine the nature of environmental politics. We’ll cover a range of contemporary and dynamic real-world issues that reflect current challenges and opportunities.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Historical and political dimensions of environmentalism
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Global economy, ecology, people and nature
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Sustainable development and environmental politics
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Green thought, political ideologies, party politics and lobbying
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Global policy responses to environmental resistance
This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University’s approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada.
Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foster intellectual maturity while enhancing co-curricular skills and students' long-term employability.
Study abroad for credit is permitted on existing university-approved courses only. Students are awarded credits and grades at the partner institution, which are converted into Sheffield Hallam credits and grades on return and included in the Sheffield Hallam degree classification.
Please check and refer to the webpage How study abroad works. You must submit a Learning Agreement outlining the modules you will be taking at the partner institution. The Learning Agreement will be signed off by your academic tutor to ensure that the Learning broadly covers the Learning Outcomes set out in your course curriculum during your study abroad.
This module critically examines the role of the USA and its foreign policy in the world. Through an analysis of the political history of the USA, you will explore the relationship between USA politics and ideas about race, equality, liberty and war. You’ll develop critical tools to analyse how these connections have evolved over time and the way they manifest in USA foreign policy today.
You’ll study topics such as:
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The political history and systems of the USA
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The evolution of their policies and politics
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Race and ethnicity
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War and security
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International incursions
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Humanitarianism
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Social resistance
Optional modules
Module aim:
The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).
A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will:
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Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course
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Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc.
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Grow their student network and relationship building skills.
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Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs
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Help student make informed graduate careers choices.
Indicative Content:
In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.
Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.
To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work.
Compulsory modules
This module demonstrates and reflects on skills you’ll develop through a critical thesis within an ethical framework. This will be based on individual research, the development of valid arguments and the critical use of appropriate literature to develop critical reflection – enabling you to develop key skills you can apply broadly to the world of work.
You’ll apply learning and skills such as:
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Autonomous learning
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Research design
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Theoretical and methodological approaches to politics and international relations
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One-to-one supervisory meetings
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Employability training
Elective modules
This module critically explores how sex, gender and sexualities infuse and inform international security, through case-study and policy-focused interactive workshops. You’ll analyse how key states, militaries and international organisations are gendered, and how gender informs their international security policies.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Gender, war and militarism
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Gender mainstreaming and international organisations
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Gender and the state
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The women, peace and security agenda
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Opportunities and limitations for international security
This module explores contemporary understandings and issues relating to international political economy – critically analysing the economic impacts, challenges and opportunities facing individuals, countries and international organisations. You’ll explore and evaluate the relationship between the global economy and global politics in relation to significant challenges in a changing world.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Capitalist development and free trade
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Liberalism, mercantilism and globalisation
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Historical pathways to the modern industrial state
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The growth of international trade
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Global patterns of trade and world resources
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International dependence and interdependence
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Economic regionalism and international organisations
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IPE and global environmental challenges
This module explores the phenomenon of terrorism – taking into consideration the motivational factors in the decision by groups to use this kind of extreme violence, as well as accounting for the Counter-Terrorist (CT) strategies adopted by states.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Terrorism as a particular expression of politically motivated violence
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Expressions of terrorism in different political contexts
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CT and state responses
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Debating CT strategies
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State terror and the treatment of the state’s own and foreign population groups
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Theoretical perspectives of terrorism and CT
This module critically examines key debates and contemporary challenges surrounding the theory and international practice of human rights. You’ll engage with radical critiques of human rights and alternative forms of cosmopolitan thought and practice from decolonial, feminist and ecological perspectives.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Understanding the ‘human’
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Biopolitics
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Universalism
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History of human rights
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Decoloniality and postcolonialism
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International politics
8. Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on this course in 2025/26 is £5,760 for the foundation year and £9,535 per year for the degree (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)

Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Social Sciences (PDF, 255.2KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.