Degrees Offered

• BA Single Honours International Politics and Conflict Studies (UCAS Code: L253)
• BA Joint Honours French and International Studies (UCAS Code: RLC2)
• BA Joint Honours History and International Studies (UCAS Code LV21)
• BA Joint Honours International Studies and Irish (UCAS Code: LQF5)
• BA Joint Honours International Studies and Politics (UCAS Code: L290)
• BA Joint Honours International Studies and Spanish (UCAS Code: LRF4)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements:
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information:
Dr Cathal McCall
School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3378
E: c.mccall@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/pisp

Entrance Requirements

• A-level
  ABB for Single Honours and Joint Honours with History and Politics.
  BBB for other options.
  There are no specific subject requirements at A-level.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  B2B2B2B2B2B2/AB2B2B2B2 for Single Honours and Joint Honours with History and Politics.
  B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 for for other options.
  There are no specific subject requirements at Higher Level.

BA Joint Requirements
For BA Joint Honours the requirements are stated separately under each programme.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here

If you are an international student and you do not meet the entrance requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will prepare you for successful study on these degree courses. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses. For a full list click here

The Subject

How can we better understand 'power' in an age of global terrorism, unprecedented economic shifts, social and humanitarian crises and environmental catastrophes?

Many of the most important political issues and debates confronting us today are located in the international arena. The last decade has been a particularly turbulent time and given rise to many headlines on issues such as 11 September, the aftermath of the second Iraq War and Western military intervention in Afghanistan.

The BA in International Politics and Conflict Studies at Queen's is about more than just armed conflict and insurgency. It also examines such trends as globalisation (and considers the challenge from the rise of China and India and the impact of the American mortgage markets on the political economy of Western Europe) and also humanitarian issues (such as poverty, development, disease and malnutrition and the search for a global resolution). The programme takes three years to complete.

Course Content

Year 1
In the first year, students are introduced to the study of politics, the state of world politics, international history, contemporary Europe and politics and the media.

Year 2
In the second year, students focus on the political, economic and social transformations of the 20th century and beyond. Students will be able to advance their conceptual understanding of the field of International Relations and Conflict by studying modules such as:

Comparative Politics in Europe and America
Deeply Divided Societies
International Organisations
International Relations Theory
Security and Terrorism
The Politics and Policies of the European Union

Year 3
In the final year, you can select more specific areas and specialist-based modules on, for example, the Middle East, Southern Africa, the European Union, modules on conflict and conflict resolution and on foreign policy.

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the BA (Hons.) in French and International Studies we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.   Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).

• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example:  interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; computer-based grammar learning packages in the Language Centre;IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.

• Seminars/tutorials:  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students).  These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  Students should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

• Language classes:  Almost all of the teaching in Modern Languages is carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students) in English and French.  Written language classes meet for two hours each week, and involve intensive work on developing linguistic competence, vocabulary, idiom, knowledge of grammar, comprehension and translation skills, essay-writing skills etc. Students should expect to prepare work in advance of each of these classes, where they will receive regular written and oral feedback on their work.

• Oral classes:  Students have opportunities to develop oral skills and apply grammar and vocabulary in real-life, practical contexts, and through the study of topics related to contemporary France. All these classes are taught in very small groups (typically 6-12 students) and are facilitated by native speakers.

• Year Abroad:  This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity during which students can study at university or undertake a paid work placement/internship in a French-speaking country. This feature of our degree programme gives students the opportunity for personal and professional development, further develops communication and language skills, and the experience of living abroad is important for developing intercultural awareness.

• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

• Dissertation:  In final year, students may undertake a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that they have chosen.  They will receive support from a supervisor who will guide them in terms of how to carry out research and who will provide feedback on at least 4 occasions during the write up stage.

• Personal Tutor:  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment:  The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. There are also oral examinations which enable students to demonstrate their ability to analyse and present material in French and pursue high-level discussion in the target language.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when students make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards students should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which students can review in their own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, students will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work. 

Careers

Studying for a French and International Studies degree at Queen’s will assist students in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.  Graduates from this degree have the proven ability to analyse subjects in depth and develop coherent arguments in written and verbal form, as well as linguistic fluency, experience of working abroad, and intercultural awareness, all of which are highly sought after skills in a global job market. In addition, the subject-matter studied as part of a degree in French and International Studies is related to a wide range of contemporary issues, which allows graduates to understand the contemporary world in a broad cross-cultural perspective.

In a context where over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, we have found that employers of all kinds wish to employ French and International Studies graduates.Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in the Public and Third (Voluntary and Community) sectors, significant numbers develop careers in the Private Sector. 

The following is a list of the major career sectors (and some starting salaries) that have attracted our graduates in recent years:

Employer Links – Consultations:We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including, for example, Northern Ireland government departments and the North/South Ministerial Council. 

Placement Employers:Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as:

The Prospects websiteprovides further information regarding the types of jobs that attract French and International Studies Graduates.

Further study: For those wishing to pursue further study after their first degree, the Schools of Politicsand Modern Languagesprovide a range of MA programmes, each of which can be taken either full-time in one year or part-time over two years. The MA programmes, each of which consists of four taught courses and a dissertation, are: French, Politics; Irish Politics; Comparative Ethnic Conflict; International Politics; Violence, Terrorism and Security; European Integration; Translation; Interpreting.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plusinitiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plus in particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

All students within this programme will have the possibility of opting to study for a semester abroad in their third year at an English-speaking university on the European continent. There is also a possibility for some to spend a third additional year in the United States under the Study USA scheme, (formerly the Business Education Initiative).

The School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy at Queen's has 33 full-time academics, making it the largest institutional centre for the study of these subjects in Ireland and one of the largest in the UK. The School is a Global 100 department for Politics and International Studies (The QS World University Rankings).