History and International Relations

Understanding the power play of international relations is the key to unlocking the secrets of success on the global stage. In addition, studying history will help you to understand how the past affects every aspect of our lives - from the language we speak, to the politics of race, gender, religion and identity.

This Joint Honours degree will provide you with the skills to explore the social and political landscape of human consciousness throughout time and place. You will discover how people lived, and how they perceived and interacted with the world around them. Investigating past events, you will encounter war, injustice, new frontiers, political upheaval, ancient civilisations, invasions, conspiracies, catastrophes and revolutions. You will gain a firm grasp of the core theories of international relations and their underlying methods. You will get a broad grounding in contemporary government and world politics, including the changing nature of the modern state system.

A wide variety of optional units means that you can pursue your own interests – with units becoming increasingly flexible as you progress through the course. With practical skills training, including advanced analytical approaches, and all the experience that brings – this degree opens up doors to a range of interesting and rewarding career possibilities and provides the skills to progress to higher research programmes.

Placement and/or study abroad options may be available, potentially extending the duration of study up to 4 years. Study abroad will be subject to any international travel restrictions and/or availability.

This course has a foundation year available.

Features and Benefits

• We are one of the largest centres for historical study in the UK.

• Take advantage of the opportunity to undertake collaborative projects with museums, art galleries or other external partners, equipping you with practical 'real world' experience and helping you to gain a competitive edge in the graduate jobs market.

• The Department of History, Politics and Philosophy has a wealth of expertise, with leading researchers whose published work covers a wide range of times and places, and this research underpins all of our teaching. The department is also home to the Manchester Centre for Public History and Heritage.

• International relations staff are also research-active and have expertise in areas including critical international relations, digital politics and US foreign policy, and the course content is directly informed by these research specialisms of the teaching team.

• Our fantastic team of highly skilled researchers and academic staff are ready to support your learning and provide you with the essential tools for your studies – both in person and online.

• The Joint Honours degree offers an opportunity to study two subjects at degree level, enabling you to benefit from high quality teaching across more than one subject.

• The teaching team is friendly, supportive and committed to research-informed teaching, providing an intellectually challenging environment for our students. As a student at Manchester Metropolitan University you will benefit from pastoral care and a study support network designed specifically for Joint Honours students.

• Employability is embedded into all areas of the programme, including the units, teaching methods and assessments. The course is geared, in part, around the practical skills needed to enhance your career prospects, and we provide regular networking opportunities with alumni and employers. We also offer a range of volunteering, internship and placement opportunities, and a variety of work-based tasks.

• Our course provides flexible opportunities for internationalisation, including an opportunity to study a foreign language as part of the course, and the option to study abroad in your second year.