The University of HullHull, HU6 7RX, UK0870 126 2000admissions@hull.ac.uk

www.hull.ac.uk

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HIGHESTTEACHINGQUALITY OUTSTANDINGSTUDENT EXPERIENCE

SUPERB GRADUATEEMPLOYABILITY INNOVATION

BUILT ON 80YEARS OFEXPERIENCE

The University of Hull

Politics andinternational studies

Key factsFor students entering with A levels, we would normally expect three passes at the gradesshown in the table. Applicants with qualifications other than A levels should consultwww.hull.ac.uk/undergraduate/altrequirements for information about acceptableequivalents.

We will consider applicants with fewer than three A levels, although we do not normallyexpect AS alone to be a suitable basis for admission.We support the introduction of KeySkills in the post-16 curriculum and we will take it into account when consideringapplications.

Degree course UCAS code Average Lengthentry grades (years)

Politics L200 BA/P BBB (300 pts) 3Politics & International

Relations L254 BA/PIR ABB (320 pts) 3Globalisation & Governance LL92 BA/GloGov BBB (300 pts) 3British Politics & Legislative

Studies L230 BA/BPLS AAB (340 pts) 4*European Government

& Politics L241 BA/EGP BBB (300 pts) 3War & Security Studies L252 BA/WSS BBB (300 pts) 3History & Politics LV21 BA/HP BBB (300 pts) 3Philosophy & Politics LV25 BA/PhP BBB (300 pts) 3Politics, Philosophy &

Economics L0V0 BA/PPE ABB (320 pts) 3Politics, Philosophy &

Economics (includingFoundation EnglishLanguage) LVQ0 BA/PPEFEL ABB (320 pts) 4

Politics, Philosophy & Law LVM0 BA/PPL ABB (320 pts) 3Politics, Philosophy & Law

(including FoundationEnglish Language) VLM0 BA/PPLFEL ABB (320 pts) 4

Religion & Politics VL62 BA/RP BBC–BBB 3(280–300 pts)

*Year 3 is spent inWestminster with a Member of Parliament.

In this pamphlet we have tried to present as full a picture of Politics and InternationalStudies at Hull as possible, but no doubt we haven’t thought of everything. Furtherinformation on admissions is available in our entry in the University’s undergraduateprospectus; and if you do apply to Hull, we hope you will come to one of our opendays, where there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions. But if there isanything you need to know now, please write to or email us at the address given onpage 5.

THE TIMES GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2009Politics table (top 10)

Research Entry Graduate Totalquality standards prospects score

1 Oxford 5*B 513 80% 1002 King’s College London 5*A 440 70% 95.53 St Andrews 5A 487 71% 94.54 London School of Economics 5A 467 84% 93.85 Cambridge 4A 490 82% 93.16 Hull 5A 325 74% 92.77 Sheffield 5*A 441 64% 92.48 Essex 5*A 339 64% 90.89 Warwick 5B 457 74% 89.610 Durham 4C 466 83% 89.2=10 Bath 5A 430 72% 89.2

Why Hull? 1

Frequently asked questions 3

Admissions 4

Which degree? 6

Undergraduate study 10

Careers 12

Contents

Why Hull ?

Our teaching programme is among the best andmost innovative in the country• The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education(QAA) has rated our teaching as excellent.

• The Times Higher Education Supplement and the SundayTimes University Guide have identified us as one of the topteaching (and research) departments in the country.

• We offer a wide choice of modules, so by your final yearyou can virtually construct your own course from themany modules on offer.

• All Single Honours students are eligible to apply to spendone semester of their final year atWestminster or alocation relevant to their degree course as part of ourinternship scheme.

Nowhere, we believe, are students better lookedafter• In 2007, 93% of our students expressed satisfaction withthe quality of their programme in the National StudentSurvey.

• Your personal supervisor will want to ensure thateverything is going well for you (and will be your first portof call if, unfortunately, it isn’t).

• Our student-run societies (the Politics Society and theWar Society) have full staff support and organise meetingsaddressed by politicians and leading academics as well associal gatherings.

• The Staff–Student Committee, your formal means ofparticipating in departmental governance, meets to ensurethat we know your views and act on them.

• Our not-for-profit bookshop enables you to sell offunwanted textbooks at the end of one year and replacethem with necessary ones at the start of the next withminimal disturbance to your bank balance.

• Like all Hull students you have access to our outstandingCareers Service. For further details, check out theirwebsite at www.hull.ac.uk/careers.

Even after they have graduated, many former students keepin touch throughout their careers. Our GraduatesAssociation (www.hull.ac.uk/pas/current_students/graduate_association/index.html) is an active body, organisingmeetings, often at the House of Commons, and maintaining astrong sense of community among different generations ofHull graduates.

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Our students are exceptionally successfulnot just in getting jobs but in getting thebest jobsDon’t take our word for it: the QAA singled outour graduates’ career successes for specialcommendation. Every year since tables were firstpublished the University of Hull has appearedamong the top 10 UK universities for graduateemployment. In addition, Politics staff in particularare integral to a range of political and academicnetworks – something that really matters whenyou are job hunting.The Graduates Association’sPublic Affairs Directory, now in its 10th edition, putsyou in contact with other members of the ‘HullMafia’ and brings you to the attention of blue-chipemployers who have hired our graduates beforeand are keen to do so again.We say much moreabout careers later in this pamphlet.

The University of Hull is among the moststudent-friendly in the countryThe Daily Telegraph rightly called Hull, with itsattractive tree-lined campus three miles from thecity centre, the ‘friendly university’. In partnershipwith the students’ union we cater for most of yoursocial, intellectual and leisure needs on campus.There are societies, films, bars, gigs, sports anddebating opportunities.We have a renowned ArtCollection, the Donald Roy Theatre (one of thebest university theatres in Europe), shops (includingaWaterstone’s bookshop) and a regular market.And, with many bistro-style cafes dotted aroundthe campus, it will not take you long to discoveryour own favourite haunts.

Our academic staff are national andinternational experts in their fieldWe were ranked 5A in the most recent ResearchAssessment Exercise.This signifies that our workhas been independently (and competitively)assessed as being of international excellence. Ourresearch is commissioned by local, national andinternational bodies.We regularly give policy adviceto ministers.

In some universities you will almost never meetthe most senior members of staff; at Hull all staffparticipate fully in our teaching programme.Webelieve that our research helps bring our teachingto life, and that integrating the two enables us tocreate an academic community embracingeveryone from the most senior professor to thenewest first-year undergraduate. It is into thatcommunity that we shall, if you join us, be proudto welcome you.

Further information about our staff, their expertiseand their research interests are available from ourwebsite at www.hull.ac.uk/pas/staff/index.html.

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This section contains brief information, all of itexpanded later.

What degrees do you offer?We offer six Single Honours degrees and sevenJoint or Combined Honours degrees, as listed onpage 4.

How many A levels do I need?Normally three passes. Otherwise you will need todemonstrate different strengths and achievements,and satisfy us that you have the ability to obtain adegree. AS alone is seldom enough; but if you hadwholly exceptional reasons for not progressing, tellus what they are and we will look at themcarefully: we know well that some people withoutA levels can, with the right support, turn intoexcellent students.We do not require Key Skillsbut take them into account as appropriate. Seepage 4 for typical grade offers.

Do I need to have A level Politics?No.We seek only an interest in the subject and awillingness to learn about it.

Do you count General Studies as an Alevel?Yes.

What about international students?We actively welcome the presence of internationalstudents, whether or not they have A levels.International applications are processed speedily bypost or electronically. See page 5.

What about mature students?The University encourages applications frompeople of all ages and backgrounds.We considerapplicants on the basis of academic qualifications atLevel 3 (A level or equivalent) and/or on the basisof other relevant knowlege and skills. Admissionstutors may interview some applicants.

I’m thinking of taking a gap year.Am Iallowed to defer my entry?Yes: while we appreciate that for some earningmoney is the main priority, ideally we hope youcan use the year to do something creative oradventurous, making it a period to look back onwith pleasure and pride. If you decide to take ayear out, we wish you well and will hold your placefor the following year.Though a gap year is not foreveryone, for some people it enables them tobring more knowledge and experience to theirstudies than if they had joined us straight fromschool.

I want a good job.Why should I studypolitics?A Hull politics degree aims to give you a headstart in applying for posts in the civil service,journalism, television, public relations, internationalgovernmental and non-governmental organisationsand charities. But our graduates work in a farwider range of fields than this. For examples andmore details see page 12.

A degree from this department can also be ofgreat help to those hoping to climb the greasypole of politics itself. Several of our graduates arecurrently MPs, a senior staff member is a Memberof the House of Lords (as are several former staffmembers), and our British Politics and LegislativeStudies BA enjoys a formidable reputation with allthe main parties atWestminster.

Do you interview applicants?We like to meet those to whom we intend makinga formal offer, so if you are in that position you willbe invited to an open day.This will give you andyour parents a chance to meet both staff andstudents, and to satisfy yourselves that Hull is theright university for you.

How much flexibility will I have in what Istudy?A lot. In fact you will have a wide choice ofmodules, and your options will increase as thecourse progresses.We describe the structure ofour degrees on page 10. Some modules involveintensive teaching for one semester, others lessintensive teaching over a whole year, so ourstructure is tailored to suit all tastes and learningstyles.

If I come to Hull, will I have the chance todo a practical placement?Yes.The department offers two placementschemes through its Westminster Hull InternshipProgramme (WHIP).The well-established BritishPolitics and Legislative Studies degree includes oneyear working for an MP atWestminster. All otherSingle Honours students are eligible to apply for aOne Semester Internship.This exciting opportunity,fully integrated into our assessment structure,allows selected students to spend one semester oftheir final year atWestminster or at a locationrelevant to their degree course. For moreinformation please visit www.hull.ac.uk/pas/undergraduate/placements/index.html.

www.hull.ac.uk

This has to be one of themost under-rateduniversities in thecountry, probably becauseof its location; but in factthe University draws insome of the bestacademics in their fields,so its reputation is reallystrong with people whomatter.

The Department ofPolitics offers a fantasticrange of subjects,including some in quitespecialist areas.Thelecturers and tutors areextremely friendly andapproachable, and arealways on hand to offerhelp and advice with anyaspect of university life.

Living in Hull is a greatexperience.There aregood transport links withthe rest of the country,the city itself is thriving,there’s a great studentatmosphere in the clubsand bars there, and thecity centre is beingtransformed by majorinvestment. Its imagecouldn’t be more wrong.

On campus the students’union recently won anational award for itsAsylum nightclub.Theunion also provides agood range of services:there are cafes and bars,the union shop (open allyear round), a jobexchange service, and anadvice centre where youcan seek free, impartialand confidential adviceabout any mattersranging from finance toacademic problems.

I am now in my fourthyear and am just backfrom an amazing year atWestminster. I havethoroughly enjoyed mytime in Hull and wouldhappily recommend thedepartment to anyoneinterested in politics orinternational relations.

Derfel OwenBA British Politics andLegislative Studies

Frequently asked questions

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We offer six Single Honours degrees and sevenHonours degrees taught in collaboration withother departments:

Single Honours degrees• Politics (UCAS code L200 BA/P)• British Politics and Legislative Studies (L230BA/BPLS)

• European Government and Politics (L241BA/EGP)

• Globalisation and Governance (LL92BA/GloGov)

• Politics and International Relations (L254BA/PIR)

• War and Security Studies (L252 BA/WSS)

Degrees with other departments• History and Politics (LV21 BA/HP)• Philosophy and Politics (LV25 BA/PhP)• Politics, Philosophy and Economics (L0V0BA/PPE)

• Politics, Philosophy and Economics (includingFoundation English Language) (LVQ0BA/PPEFEL)

• Politics, Philosophy and Law (LVM0 BA/PPL)• Politics, Philosophy and Law (includingFoundation English Language) (VLM0BA/PPLFEL)

• Religion and Politics (VL62 BA/RP)

We give individual consideration to everyapplication and look for a wide range of evidencethat you will be a good student.When we readyour UCAS form we not only look at youracademic achievements and forecasts; we also

consider your school’s view of your character ;evidence of leadership, sporting achievement orcommunity service; skills and interests; how youpresent yourself on paper; and evidence of agenuine interest in politics.Typical offers are asshown in the table.

All candidates who are offered a place are alsoinvited to an open day.These give you and yourfamily a chance to find out more about us, to meetacademic staff and to talk to our present students.We appreciate that, especially for candidates fromoverseas, time, distance and cost may make itimpossible for you to visit us personally, so for youwe have constructed what we hope is aninformative website at www.hull.ac.uk/pas. Butwhere possible a visit is preferable, and we urge allUK-based candidates able to do so to attend.

We accept General Studies as a full A level and donot require you to be studying Politics. In fact wehave no preference at all as to what subjects youare taking.We keep a close eye on A levelsyllabuses to ensure that if you have not studiedPolitics you will not be disadvantaged and that ifyou have you will not be bored.

Informal enquiries are welcome: just phone ourAdmissions Coordinator, Kay Nock – her contactdetails appear at the end of this section. Kay willdeal with queries promptly and efficiently. Or, tocontact our Departmental Admissions Tutor, emailr.woodward@hull.ac.uk.

Admissions

Politics and international studies

Degree UCAS code Years Average offer

Politics L200 3 BBB / 300 pts

Pol & Int Rels L254 3 ABB / 320 pts

Glob & Gov LL92 3 BBB / 300 pts

Brit Pol & Leg Studies L230 4* AAB / 340 pts

Euro Gov & Pol L241 3 BBB / 300 pts

War & Sec Studies L252 3 BBB / 300 pts

Hist & Pol LV21 3 BBB / 300 pts

Phil & Pol LV25 3 BBB / 300 pts

Pol, Phil & Econ L0V0 3 BBB / 300 pts

Pol, Phil & Econ (incl FEL) LVQ0 4 ABB / 320 pts

Pol, Phil & Law LVM0 3 ABB / 320 pts

Politics, Phil & Law (incl FEL) VLM0 4 ABB / 320 pts

Rel & Pol VL62 3 BBC–BBB / 280–300 pts

* Year 3 is spent inWestminster with a Member of Parliament.

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Mature studentsWe welcome applications from mature students.We treat all applications on their merits, and, whilewe naturally prefer you to have pursued furthereducation since leaving school, we understand thatthis is not always possible and that you may havehad life experiences which have taught you thingsof equal or greater value. Not least in fairness toyou, we do, however, check carefully that you havethe ability and commitment to obtain a degree,and applicants without the usual qualifications willbe interviewed.

International studentsWe actively welcome applications frominternational candidates: every year students fromall parts of the globe add much to our community.We look carefully at your qualifications, be they Alevels, the International or European Baccalaureate,the Junior College Diploma or any otherqualification. If English is not your first language wenaturally require evidence of proficiency. Ournormal requirements are IELTS Band 6, CambridgeCertificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) Grade Cor TOEFL 550. Many international students arrivein August and take the Language Institute’sexcellent introductory programme.This helps youlinguistically, inducts you to our culture and helpsyou meet other international students.

We recognise fully how challenging, and yetexciting, studying abroad is, and our staff here areexperienced in helping you settle in. From themoment we offer you a place you will be allocatedan international admissions supervisor whom you

can email at any time with any queries, and whowill ensure that you are fully prepared for yourtime with us.

We welcome European exchange and NorthAmerican JYA students.The latter should normallyhave at least a 3.0 grade point average.

Students with disabilitiesWe welcome applications from disabledcandidates, for whom we have excellent facilities inthe Miriam Hebron Centre. See the DisabilityServices website at www.hull.ac.uk/disability, and donot hesitate to contact us for further advice andinformation before applying.

Further informationKay NockAdmissions CoordinatorFaculty of Arts and Social SciencesThe University of HullHull, HU6 7RXT 01482 466191E k.e.nock@hull.ac.uk

www.hull.ac.uk

I am dyslexic, andhave therefore foundthe support ofDisability Services andindividual lecturersinvaluable; it hasenabled me to makethe most of my timeon the course. I havebeen enjoying thecourse thoroughly; itwould be enjoyablefor anyone interestedin internationalaffairs, politics,economics andinternationalrelations. In my firstyear there was a visitto Russia which gaveme a deeper interestin Cold War strategyand internationalrelations.This coursewould receive myrecommendation atany time.

Alison MeslamBA Politics and InternationalRelations

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BA PoliticsOur BA in Politics provides a broad knowledgeand understanding of political processes andinstitutions. If your interest in politics is wide-ranging and you do not want to commit yourselfto a more specialised choice when you apply, thisdegree could be for you. It will steer you into thecore knowledge of the discipline, enabling you tochoose second- and third-year modules on thebasis of your developing interests and careeraspirations.

In your first year you receive a solid foundation inpolitics, taking introductory modules coveringpolitical philosophy, comparative politics,international relations and British political history. Inshort we equip you with the core knowledgenecessary to make sense of the discipline as awhole. As well as a module of your choice fromoutside the department, first-year modules willinclude

• British Political History since 1945• Human Nature, Society and the State• New Media and Politics

In the second and third years your core teachingreduces and your choices increase.You may haveidentified a career preference where specialisationis advisable, or have developed a fascination forone broad area of study – from European politicsto South-East Asia, from security studies to the USpresidential system. Alternatively you may prefer tobe free to pick a variety of new topics and leaveus with a mature and wide-ranging grasp of the

political ideas and processes that influence somuch of our lives. Have a look at our website atwww.hull.ac.uk/pas for a comprehensive list of themany modules on offer.

In the second year you not only study the Britishgovernmental system, political theory, and researchin politics but also make your own choices from awide range of options. In your third year you havean even greater choice of coursework and, closelyguided and supported by an appropriate memberof staff, write a dissertation on any relevant topicof your choice.

If you don’t come with a particular specialism inmind but want to sample what the discipline hasto offer and then be increasingly free to plan yourown programme, the BA Politics, our largest-intakedegree, is a very smart choice. And don’t forgetthat as a student on this degree you will be eligibleto take part in our internship programme. Seepage 3 of this pamphlet for details.

BA British Politics and LegislativeStudies (BPLS)This unique four-year degree includes a one-yearplacement in the House of Commons – for moredetails have a look atwww.hull.ac.uk/pas/placements.

As this is a more specialised course than our BAPolitics, we offer you more of a steer in yourmodule choices and you will take modules inBritish Politics, Parliament and ComparativeLegislatures.We still believe in maximising choice,

Which degree?

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however, so you will also benefit from the wideand varied range of module options available inthe department.You will thus have a strongtheoretical and practical grounding inparliamentary procedures and behaviour but yourlearning, if specialised, will not be narrow.The daysare long gone when an understanding of Britainalone was sufficient to enable specialists to makesense of our history and politics. So in your firstyear in particular you will be introduced not onlyto British politics, but also to both political theoryand international relations.

At the Palace ofWestminster you will take twopractitioner-led seminar courses and enjoy the rareprivilege of being able to undertake the originalresearch on which to base your final-yeardissertation. Above all, however, you will beassigned to an individual MP (who may be fromany party). MPs who have supervised our recentstudents include Austin Mitchell, Ed Balls, ChrisSmith, Michael Howard, AnnWiddecombe,Bernard Jenkin, Bruce George andWilliam Hague.

BPLS is for you if you have an interest inparliamentary politics or are considering a careerin political consultancy, parliamentary research, thecivil service or the media, and BPLS graduates areespecially attractive to ‘public affairs’ employers.TheQAA agreed: they described BPLS as an ‘invaluablelearning experience’, and the numerous graduatesof this prestigious course would be quick toconcur.

BA European Government andPoliticsThe rediscovery and redefinition of Europe, East aswell asWest, as a political, cultural, social, militaryand economic entity remain key imperatives forEuropean leaders and policymakers.This degreeaims to develop and deepen your understandingof the ‘new Europe’ which emerged after thecollapse of the BerlinWall in 1989.You will be ableto study a wide range of European states andsocieties and their approaches to economic,environmental, and foreign and defence policy.There is also a strong emphasis on the origin,evolution and future orientation of the EuropeanUnion and its principal institutions.

You will spend your first year studying politics itself(at an introductory level) as well as taking morespecialised modules on European government andpolitics. In Year 2 you will take the modules

• Conflict and Consensus in European Politics• Diversity and Convergence in European Politics

and will choose four other modules from morethan 20 on offer. In your third year you will beworking not only on your dissertation but also ona detailed study of the European Union. In additionyou will be able to choose to study areas asdiverse as the Labour Party’s political thinkers,Latin American politics, financial crises, legislatures,environmental politics and international security.

www.hull.ac.uk

As a mature student Ifound it very easy tosettle in. Hull has avery pleasantenvironment and thestaff are easilyapproachable andamiable.There is a lotof support forstudents like myself,coming back to full-time education afterwork, with muchadvice available onessay writing anduniversity life ingeneral.The facilitiesare good, with a verywell stocked libraryand many places toeat, rest and study.The campus is quitecompact – it takes nomore than fiveminutes to walkanywhere on site – aswell as being situatedin a very attractivepart of the city.

So if you are lookingfor a good degree, aninteresting course,able staff and afriendly atmosphere,look no further.

Alex HoodBA Politics

The Rt Hon Peter Mandelson, European TradeCommissioner, addressing a meeting in thedepartment in September 2007. Also pictured are DrRudiger Wurzel, Director of the Centre for EuropeanUnion Studies (left), Professor the Lord Norton ofLouth (right) and Dr Matt Beech, Director of theCentre for British Politics (far right).

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If, as part of your degree, you want to study amodern European language, we shall be delighted.You will be able to select from the extensive menuoffered by our Modern Languages Department,which contains experts in the main Europeanlanguages.

This degree prepares you for a professional careerin many areas, domestically as well asinternationally; it is also an excellent basis forpostgraduate study.You will obtain both a well-rounded education and a specialised knowledge ofcontemporary European government and politics.And don’t forget that as a student on this degreeyou will be eligible to take part in our internshipprogramme. See page 3 of this pamphlet fordetails.

BA Globalisation and GovernanceGlobal economic trends affect both rich and pooras profoundly as, if more subtly than, moredramatic events such as war and terrorism.Theways in which governments and trans-governmental organisations manage internationalcommerce is as much a political as an economicissue, so this degree is immensely attractive topeople wishing to study such aspects ofinternational politics as trade, development andglobalisation.You will find the BA in Globalisationand Governance especially helpful if you areconsidering job hunting among internationalcharities promoting economic development orhuman rights, economic organisations such as theWorld Bank, IMF orWTO, or the multinationalcorporations which are now such big players on

the world stage.We know you will encounter stiffcompetition in these areas, but many past studentshave been successful, and, while we make nopromises, we shall certainly do our best to helpyou do as well as they have, if not better.

Globalisation and Governance involves studyinginternational and global phenomena as well as theincreasing number of institutions with intertwinedpolitical, economic and social dimensions. Aparticular feature of this degree is that by drawingupon our expertise in specific geographical areasyou will be able to acquire an in-depth knowledgeof a whole range of relevant issues.These includeworld economic order and disorder; economicglobalisation and regionalisation; trade, aid anddevelopment; the non-military projection ofpower; and relationships among states, marketsand global organisations.Though, as with our otherspecialist degrees, you will take some broader-based politics modules as well, we offer a clearspecialist focus, and in your third year you will, withexpert guidance, write a dissertation of 15,000words on a topic of your choice.

And don’t forget that as a student on this degreeyou will be eligible to take part in our internshipprogramme. See page 3 of this pamphlet fordetails.

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BA Politics and International RelationsRecent terrorist attacks and the enduring terrorsof poverty, disease and warfare remind us thatworld politics is, literally, a matter of life and death.This degree looks beyond the headlines to studywealth, poverty, international law, internationalorganisation, non-governmental organisations andmilitary strategy – the themes and issues that driveinternational politics today.

In the first year you take introductory modules inworld politics, warfare, the ColdWar andcomparative politics.Thereafter you haveconsiderable latitude to structure your ownprogramme with optional modules covering areasas diverse as the global economy, development,international organisations, European politics,foreign policy, and the causes and conduct of war.

The degree is ideally suited to those hoping for acareer in foreign affairs, the media, or globalcommerce.The programme will also meet yourneeds if you have a general interest in globalpolitics but do not want to pursue a career in it. Infact we have increasingly found that in an evermore interconnected world many ‘blue-chip’employers in a wide range of areas favourapplicants who can demonstrate a sound grasp ofinternational affairs.

And don’t forget that as a student on this degreeyou will be eligible to take part in our internshipprogramme. See page 3 of this pamphlet fordetails.

BAWar and Security StudiesThis exciting and imaginative degree gives you athorough understanding of the nature and politicalfunctions of war and armed conflict from bothhistorical and contemporary perspectives, as wellas of the role of armed force in maintaining peaceand security.

You will spend your first year studying conflict andterrorism in the new world order and the natureof war itself; and you will also make a study of theFirst and SecondWorldWars and the ColdWar. Inyour second year you will take more advancedmodules in modern strategy, foreign policy, andinternational security and defence policy. Inaddition you will be able to choose from a widerange of options, including

• Sea Power• Air Power• Insurgency and Peace Support• Conventional War since 1945

In your third year you will write a specialistdissertation under close and expert supervision.You will also be presented with a range of possibleareas of study, including

• Intelligence and National Security• Global Communications and InternationalPolitics

• International Politics of the Environment• Nuclear Strategy• The VietnamWar• British Defence Policy since 1945

This degree will equip you for a wide range ofcareers, not only in such areas as the armed forces(including the special forces), the intelligenceservice, the Diplomatic Corps and the Foreign andCommonwealth Office, but also in the manyprofessions where a combination of analytic abilityand up-to-date knowledge of internationalrelations and security is at a premium.

And don’t forget that as a student on this degreeyou will be eligible to take part in our internshipprogramme. See page 3 of this pamphlet fordetails.

Degrees with other departmentsA joint degree is a perfect choice if you have aninterest in two distinct but related disciplines. JointHonours degrees naturally tend to be slightly lessflexible than Single Honours because you have tomaster the basics of two subjects, but we havenever found this to be a problem. On the contrary,students who take our joint degrees often valuethe opportunity of, as it were, getting two subjectsfor the price of one.We offer three Joint and fourCombined Honours degrees:

• History and Politics• Philosophy and Politics• Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE)• Politics, Philosophy and Economics (includingFoundation English Language)

• Politics, Philosophy and Law• Politics, Philosophy and Law (includingFoundation English Language)

Joint degrees are split 50:50, so you take half yourmodules in one department and half in the other;PPE entails an equal three-way split involving alsothe Department of Philosophy and the BusinessSchool.

www.hull.ac.uk

Doing War and SecurityStudies has been a greatyear and a half.Themodules we study varyfrom traditional politicsto very military-basedmodules, on topics suchas insurgency and peacesupport.The courseincludes both historicaland very up-to-datemodules, and it is oftenthe very topical issueswhich provideinteresting discussionsduring tutorials.

The Politics Departmentis extremely friendly andhelpful, and the mainlecturers for WSS arevery approachable andvery willing to give uptheir time to help youwith any academic orpersonal problems youmay have.There are alsoa number of olderstudents on the course,and throughout thedepartment, who receivejust as much help toease them back into thelearning environment, aswell as help which isprovided by theUniversity with writingessays etc.

Hull itself has a lot tooffer students, includinggreat nights out both intown and at theUniversity, as well asplenty to keep you busyduring the day.

I am very happy doingthe course I chose. Ihave been made to feelextremely welcome,both by staff and byfellow students, in agenerally male-dominated area ofpolitics. I would stronglyadvise any females outthere that it is not allabout guns and fighting,and you should not beput off if this issomething that interestsyou!

Jo HickmanBAWar and SecurityStudies

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Degree structureOne of the strengths of Hull degrees is that theyare all modular. Each has a set of core moduleswhich cover the essential elements of the degree,together with a range of optional modules whichallow you to tailor the degree to your owninterests and needs.

Though naturally your module pattern will varyaccording to the degree you take, the overall logicof the scheme is consistent. All degrees begin withmainly core modules designed to ensure that youhave the essential knowledge to proceed, and thenallow you as much choice as possible in designingthe rest of your course. In fact our final-yearmodules cover almost every area of politics: fewother politics departments can offer such diversity.And, because we are quite a large department, wecan offer a very wide range of modules.

You can expect to take six modules a year – fouryou will complete in a single semester and twoyou can take at a more leisurely pace over a fullyear. And you are free to take one of thesemodules in another department: indeed weencourage you to do so, as this can be a mind-broadening experience.

For full and up-to-the-minute details of the rangeof modules on offer in September 2008 have alook at our website at www.hull.ac.uk/pas/undergraduate/index.html.

Teaching and learningWe like to think that our department combinesacademic excellence with friendliness andinformality. All the team, academic and secretarial,are very approachable and take a keen interest instudents’ progress and development.We wereespecially pleased that the QAA spoke so highly ofour teaching, the level of support we offerstudents and the learning facilities available tothem, because these are areas to which we arestrongly committed and to which we have devotedmuch effort. Not surprisingly, we have very lowlevels of withdrawal and academic failure.

Teaching qualityTeaching in Politics is of very high quality, wellthought through and often innovative. Learningobjectives are made clear to students, sessions areeffectively organised, and pace and methods areappropriate. Examples of best practice include theuse of role play within tutorials and the successfulrunning of seminar groups by the studentsthemselves. In addition, reviewers were impressedwith the quality of the overall student involvementin the sessions and of their contributions totutorials. Meetings with students confirmed thereview team’s positive perception of the teachingin Politics (Quality Assurance Agency Review ofPolitics at Hull).

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Politicsand

internationalstudies

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Academic facilities and supportThe University’s Brynmor Jones Library holds270,000 items in the social sciences, of which40,000 are in politics, with 360 politics periodicalsand 82 web-based journals.We have a wide rangeof specialist holdings, including a EuropeanDocumentation Centre and a Collection ofParliamentary Papers.We have excellent ITfacilities, with 1,000 PCs on campus, some of themin our 24-Hour Centre, and dial-in access forstudents. Study-bedrooms are networked, and ITsupport is available in halls of residence.

Should you wish to perfect your language skills (oryour skills in English if you are an internationalstudent) or learn a new one, our state-of-the-artLanguage Institute is available to you: have a look atwww.hull.ac.uk/languages/langinst.html.

The University’s Study Advice Service offerseducational support and guidance in key areassuch as IT skills, academic English, study skills andnumeracy. Our departmental study skillsprogrammes, designed with politics students inmind, will help you adjust to the demands of yourparticular course of study.

Personal supportThe University has always given a high priority tostudent support. A professional and confidentialCounselling Service is available if you havedifficulties that you would prefer to discuss withsomeone outside the department. Our excellentmulti-faith chaplaincies are a source of friendshipand support to many, while for Muslims we have adedicated prayer room.The Careers Service, oneof the best there is, offers advice at any timeduring (and beyond) your stay with us. Nightline isa confidential listening and information serviceprovided by the students’ union.The union’s AdviceCentre offers free and impartial advice andinformation.

Last but by no means least, as a member of thedepartment you will have a personal supervisor asa first port of call in case of problems. He or shewill have dedicated office hours when you arewelcome to look in without appointment; inpractice, though, we try to be accessible most ofthe time.

Teaching style and assessmentIn most modules you will learn in a combination oflectures and small tutorials or seminars; by the finalyear virtually all your learning will be in seminarsonly. Our emphasis on small-group work (most ofour groups are for about 8–12 students) permitsand encourages high levels of student participation,and makes our teaching varied, creative andstimulating. Modules are assessed at the end of thesemester in which they are taught, normally by amixture of essay and examination. First-yearassessment is ‘qualifying’ only.This means that youmust pass the year to qualify to progress to thesecond year, but your marks do not count towardsyour degree.Your degree classification is calculatedon the basis of second- and third-year module anddissertation marks.

www.hull.ac.uk

As an internationalstudent I was afraid asto what the atmosphereof an English universitymight be, but HullUniversity andespecially theDepartment of Politicsand InternationalStudies is a verycomfortable and relaxedplace to study, whilstoffering all the guidanceand support that youneed to achieve whatyou wish.The BAGlobalisation andGovernance course isconstructed to help youwith the development ofyour understanding ofboth politics andpolitical economy. I havefound every lecture andtutorial very inspiringfor my further study.Allthe members of staffare very approachableat all times, and theyare all more than willingto help whenever theycan.

Michal OpelaBA Globalisation andGovernance

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Hull politics graduates enter a wide range ofcareers in politics, public relations, the media,business, management, finance and administration.For more details have a look at our GraduatesAssociation website atwww.hull.ac.uk/pas/current_students/graduate_association/index.html.

Many graduates stay in touch through membershipof the Graduates Association, a very active bodywhich organises a number of meetings each year,often at the House of Commons.The number ofalumni working in public affairs is such that theGraduates Association publishes a Public AffairsDirectory, the vehicle by which senior graduatesoffer help and networking opportunities to juniorcolleagues on the understanding that, one day, itwill be their turn to do the same. Not surprisinglythe phrase ‘Hull Mafia’ is widely used to describeLondon-based graduates in particular.

Political activityA number of former students have been electedas Members of the British and EuropeanParliaments.These include Dr Richard Corbett,MEP (Yorkshire and the Humber), Greg Pope, MP(Hyndburn), and TomWatson, MP (WestBromwich East). Some are or have been SpecialAdvisers to Cabinet ministers; one is currentlySpecial Adviser to the Prime Minister. Politicsgraduates have worked in the headquarters of theConservative, Labour and Liberal Democratparties. One is presently Assistant Director of theConservative Research Department; others serveas research assistants to MPs or MEPs

Civil servantsHull graduates are to be found in the HomeOffice, the Department for Education and Skills,the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office.Others serve in the Scottish and Northern Irelandcivil services and the European Commission.

The mediaA number of our graduates have secured jobs inthe printed and electronic media. Some work inthe BBC as editors or producers; some work forITN (in one case as Programme Editor) andChannel 4; others are with independentproduction companies, national newspapers andthe regional media.

UniversitiesOthers have taken lecturing and research posts at,for example, the LSE and the Universities ofOxford, Bath, Exeter, Manchester, Newcastle uponTyne, Nottingham, Strathclyde, Ulster andWales.

Political consultantsMany graduates have been snapped up byWestminster-based political consultancy firms suchas APCO, Connect Public Affairs, GJW, LSACharles Barker, Shandwick andWestminsterStrategy. Others have taken posts as parliamentaryofficers for leading firms and charities.

Careers

Politics and international studies

Graduates of the departmentOur graduates have been very successful insecuring top jobs in a wide range of politicaland non-political arenas. For example, theyhold or have recently held the following posts:

• Special Adviser to the Prime Minister• Special Adviser to the Lord Privy Seal andLeader of the House of Lords

• Programme Editor, ITN• Political Producer, Channel 4 News• Senior Producer, BBC Economics andBusiness Unit

• Senior Communications Adviser,International Committee of the Red Cross

• Head of the Asia Programme, Royal UnitedServices Institute for Defence Studies

• President, Pearson Inc, USA• Head of UK Public Affairs, BT GroupCommunication

• Professor of Politics, Salford University

What sort of subjects can I take?You can take almost any free electivemodule from outside your main course ofstudy, usually at your home campus.You caneven take a module from another faculty.The catalogue of free electives mightinclude

• Space Science: Fact and Fiction• Computers and Applications• The Idea of Europe• Introduction to Psychology• Modern Science Fiction• History through Film• Fitness Training Principles• Anarchism and Contemporary GlobalProtest

• Hit the Ground Running – Career Tacticsfor the 21st Century

among a wide range of other modulesfrom diverse subject areas.

What are the main reasons forparticipating?• The scheme gives you the opportunityto study a subject without having tocommit yourself to taking furthermodules in that subject area.

• By taking a free elective you are able tofollow up your interests as part of yourdegree.

• With a broader education you mayacquire extra skills that will help youwhen you enter the employment market.

SEMESTER 2

20 credits

20 credits

20credits

20 credits

20 credits

SEMESTER 1

Here you take modules fromyour main course of study.

Here you have the option to takea free elective or another modulefrom your main coure of study.

20credits

Admissions policyAdmissions information provided in thispamphlet is intended as a general guide andcannot cover all possibilities. Entry requirementsare generally stated in terms of A level gradesand/or UCAS points, but we encourageapplications from people with a wide range ofother qualifications and/or experience. Somefurther details of the various entry routes areincluded in our general prospectus. Pleasecontact the Admissions Office (see below) withany specific queries about admissions.

DisclaimerThis pamphlet is intended principally as a guidefor applicants.The matters covered by it –academic and otherwise – are subject tochange from time to time both before and afterstudents are admitted.While every reasonableprecaution was taken in the production of thispamphlet, the University does not acceptliability for any inaccuracies or changes.Information relating to study programmes isissued for the general guidance of studentsentering the University and does not form partof any contract.The University hopes toprovide the courses and facilities described, butreserves the right to withdraw or to makealterations to courses and facilities if necessary.

AddressFor general enquiries, please write to

Admissions ServiceThe University of HullHull, HU6 7RXT 01482 466100F 01482 442290E admissions@hull.ac.uk

Dates of semestersFor the current semester dates please visitour website at www.hull.ac.uk/hulluniversity/semesterdates.

Studying for a degree at Hull is a unique experience.We aim to provide you with aneducation that offers both depth and breadth of knowledge.To meet these ends theUniversity has developed an optional Free Elective Scheme.This scheme enables themajority of undergraduate students to take one module a year from outside their maincourse of study.

So, how does it work?Each year you take 120 credits’ worth of modules.

Free Elective Scheme