BSc International Relations

Overview
Structure
Study materials
Fees
Assessment
Requirements
Leaders

Is this programme for me?

This degree is for you if you:

wish to engage critically with the range of materials about contemporary international relations
need to be equipped with sufficient knowledge of international relations to understand the international dimensions of your own chosen field
are seeking a framework for understanding the international aspects of problems such as environmental degradation and economic globalisation
gain a critical understanding of the core literature and main theoretical issues in the field of international relations.

Key dates
Application deadline	1 October in the year before you intend to sit your exams
Registration deadline	30 November
Despatch of study materials	Shortly after your registration form is received
Examinations take place	May/June

Programme structure

The degree consists of 12 courses when taken through the Standard Route and 9 courses through the Graduate Entry Route.

Prestige and career progression

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) provide academic direction for this programme. LSE is regarded as an international centre of academic excellence and innovation in the social sciences. Established in 1927, the Department of International Relations at LSE is one of the most prestigious in the world. This degree will prepare you for a career in areas of government, international organisations, business and the media.

Flexible study at a reasonable cost

You have between 3-8 years to complete the programme (or a minimum of 2 years on the Graduate Entry Route). Fees are payable as you progress rather than as a single lump sum. The following are examples of University fees for the whole programme of study: £3,807 for the BSc degree through the Standard Route and £2,877 for the BSc degree through the Graduate Entry Route. Please note that these examples are calculated using current fees, do not reflect any annual change to fees and assume completion in the minimum time permitted.

How you study

Our programmes provide an opportunity to obtain a prestigious degree or other qualification at a reasonable cost. You can choose to study independently or pay for additional educational support at a local institution (where available) to benefit from face-to-face tutorial support and the opportunity to interact with fellow students in person.

Students wishing to study either the Diploma in Economics or the Diploma in Social Sciences must first enrol at an institution recognised by the University for teaching the specific Diploma. Studying at an institution provides students with face-to-face academic support and the opportunity to interact with fellow students in person. Find your nearest recognised local institution.

You receive specially written online study materials

Developed by academics appointed by LSE, your specially written study materials guide you through textbooks, which will be the real focus of your studies. The cost of your study pack is included in your initial and continuing registration fees. Study materials include:

A Student handbook containing practical information and advice (e.g. how to enter for exams).
Strategies for success which provides help with study techniques.
A Subject guide for each course, designed to guide you through the syllabus and offer advice on how to use textbooks in an organised and productive manner. Partial versions of EMFSS subject guides are available to view.
Past exam papers and Examiners' commentaries which are updated annually and available to download. These provide an insight into how questions should have been tackled and outline common mistakes made by students in the past. Copies of the most recent exam papers and Examiners’ commentaries are available for reference on our website, see EMFSS past exam papers. A fuller back catalogue is available for all registered students through the VLE.

Online support

When you are given an offer, we will also send a username and password enabling you to register and log in to the Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and two other key online resources:

The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Access to a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which provides electronic copies of all printed study materials. This is also an open space for students to discuss interests and experience, and also to seek support from their peers while working collaboratively to solve problems and discuss subject material. Online support materials are continuously being developed and for some courses audio-visual tutorials, recorded lectures, academic interviews and debates are available, along with self-testing activities and expert study skills advice.

The Online Library

The Online Library holds thousands of journal articles which you can access free of charge. A dedicated helpdesk is available if you have any difficulties in finding what you need.

Optional courses held at LSE in London

LSE Summer School held annually, usually from early July to mid-August. This offers a range of stimulating and challenging courses, allowing you to undertake a period of intensive study in areas of interest.

Fees

The fees below relate to the 2013-2014 session and are subject to annual review.

Academic year	2013-2014
Application handling fee	£ 72
Initial registration fee	£ 675
Examination entry fee (per full course)	£ 200
Examination entry fee (per half course)	£ 100
Continuing registration fee	£ 330
Total for BSc degree	£ 3,807
Other fees (as applicable)
Additional registration fee for students taking law courses (per course)	£ 44
Application fee for consideration of accreditation of prior learning (per full course)	£ 72








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Disclaimer: the currency conversion tool is provided to you for convenience only and does not constitute an endorsement or approval by the University of London; the exchange rates are provided dynamically via a third-party source, consequently, the University of London International Programmes is not responsible for their accuracy.

Fees are payable as you progress rather than as a single lump sum. The total provided above is an example of the total amount of fees payable to the University for the whole programme of study. The example is calculated using current fees and so does not reflect any annual change in fees. It also assumes completion in the minimum time permitted with no law courses being taken and no accreditation of prior learning.

When to pay

The application handling fee is payable when you make your application. The closing date for applications is 1 October. If you meet the entrance requirements you will be invited to register.

The initial registration fee is payable when you register with the University. The closing date for registrations is 30 November.

The examination fee is payable when you choose to enter an examination. Examinations take place in May or June each year and examination entries are accepted between 30 November and the examination entry closing date, 1 February.

The continuing registration fee is payable in the second and subsequent years of registration at the time when you confirm the courses that you will be registered for during that year. The continuing registration fee is effective between 1 March and 30 November.

How to pay

All University fees must be paid in pounds sterling (GBP). The University accepts:

Western Union - Quick Pay
Credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Electron, JCB)
Sterling banker's draft/cheque
International money/postal order

Further details are given in payment methods.

Other costs

In addition to the fees payable to the University, you should also budget for:

textbooks (this may well be in the region of £300 per year)
tuition costs (if studying at a teaching institution)
LSE Summer School (optional)
the fee charged by your local examination centre to cover its costs; this fee will vary.

Note

Fees are subject to annual review and the University reserves the right to amend previously announced fees, if necessary. For a full list fees that may be applicable, please see the fee schedule in student fees section.

Academic Requirements

In order to satisfy the entrance requirements for the BSc International Relations, you must:

normally* be at least 17 years old and have passes in either:
- two subjects at GCE 'A' level, plus at least three further subjects at GCSE/GCE 'O' level at Grade C or above or
- three subjects at GCE 'A' level (with one 'A' level at not less than Grade D) or
- three subjects at GCE 'A' level and one further subject at GCSE/GCE 'O' level at Grade C or above or
- two subjects at GCE 'A' level, plus two further subjects at GCE 'AS' level and

demonstrate competence in Mathematics at least equivalent to GCSE/GCE 'O' level at Grade C or above and
provide proof of competence in English which is acceptable to the University. A test of proficiency may be required and
if you wish to register for any of the law units (with the exception of unit 27) online access is also a requirement for registration.

*Applications will be considered from applicants who do not meet the normal minimum age requirement for admission. Each application will be considered on an individual basis, and the decision taken at the discretion of the University of London.

Note: Applicants with other qualifications not listed above and/or suitable work experience will be considered by the University on an individual basis. There are many other acceptable entrance qualifications [PDF: 9pgs, 160KB], both from the UK and overseas, which the University accepts instead of UK 'O' and 'A' levels.

If you do not satisfy the criteria for automatic acceptance we will still consider your application on an individual basis under our Special Admissions procedures. If we cannot accept you with your current qualifications and experience, we will advise you what qualifications you could take in order to become eligible in the future.

Application for the Graduate Entry Route

In addition to the Mathematics and English language requirements above, you must hold a full first degree completed in a minimum of three years duration on a full-time basis (or equivalent) from a university or other institution acceptable to the University of London.

Note: Applicants holding professional and/or postgraduate qualifications without a full first degree cannot be considered for the admission to the Graduate Entry Route.

What if I do not meet the entrance requirements?

If you think that you may not have the necessary academic qualifications for direct entry into a degree programme, we offer the following:

Diploma in Economics/Social Sciences

The Diploma in Economics and Diploma in Social Sciences are qualifications in their own right that must be studied at a recognised Diploma-teaching institution.

These qualifications are for you if:

you have the ability, motivation and maturity to study at degree level, but do not have the qualifications usually required to enter a degree programme.
you have the necessary qualifications to embark on a degree, but would prefer a course with more teaching support.
you intend to take a degree programme, but would like to gain a recognised qualification after one year.
See Additonal educational support [pdf 4pgs 80KB] for the full list of institutions that teach the Diploma in Economics/Social Sciences.

An entry route to degree study

If you do not have traditional 'A' levels or their equivalent, the Diploma in Economics and Diploma in Social Sciences provide an entry route to all of the degrees in the fields of Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences listed above. If you intend to go on to a degree programme listed, choose your courses carefully and make sure that the courses you choose are available on the degree that interests you. This will ensure that you receive credit for the courses you have passed. You can transfer to one of the degrees listed above after passing two full courses (provided one is a quantitative subject) of the Diploma in Economics or Diploma in Social Sciences.

Accreditation of prior learning

Accreditation of prior learning (APL) was formerly known as 'exemption' and is also known as ‘credit transfer’ or ‘advanced standing’ at other institutions.

If you have already covered a similar syllabus you may be able to apply for 'Accreditation of prior learning' (APL) . You must satisfy us that you have passed exams that equate in level, content and standard. If you are awarded APL it means you will not be required to take a particular course as part of your degree. You may claim APL from up to four full 100 courses on the Standard Route of the degree. For further information please see the Accreditation of prior learning section of our website.

Language Requirements

For awards at FHEQ levels 4, 5 or 6, applicants must provide satisfactory evidence showing that they have:

Passed acceptable examinations equivalent to GCSE/GCE O level English Language at grade C or above; or
Demonstrated fluency in academic English gained through either:

Five years secondary schooling taught solely in English and/or passed GCE A levels or IB in essay based subjects; or
Passed an International Foundation programme for UK HEI entry with a unit in English for Academic purposes (EAP) or its equivalent; or
A first degree or Associate degree taught and examined in English; or
Have passed a Diploma awarded by any of the polytechnics in Malaysia, Singapore or Hong Kong. For undergraduate admittance have within the previous three years passed a test of proficiency in English at the following minimum level: IELTS with an overall grade of at least 6 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub test, TOEFL with a score of 580, 237 on the computerised test plus a Test of Written English (TWE) of at least 4.5 or a test of proficiency in English language from the prescribed list published by the University.

Where an applicant does not meet the prescribed English language proficiency requirements but believes that they can demonstrate the requisite proficiency for admission the University may, at its discretion, consider the application.

Note: Some programmes will require greater proficiency in English language; these requirements will be reflected in the relevant programme regulations.

Computer Requirements

Online access and general computer requirements
As one of our students you need to have regular access to a computer and the internet; this may be for accessing the Student Portal, downloading course materials from the Virtual Learning Environment, and accessing resources from the Online Library. You will also need to have access to appropriate software, for example, a PDF reader and suitable hardware capacity on your computer, e.g. for document storage. Additional requirements include that you have JavaScript and cookies enabled to access particular online systems, for example, the Student Portal.

Supported Browsers include:
Internet Explorer 7+
Firefox 5+
Chrome 13+

Screen resolution (recommended)
1024 x 768 or greater

Certain programmes may have their own specific requirements, please refer to the relevant Regulations.

LSE academic leadership

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is one of the Colleges of the University of London and a world-leading social science institution. Academics from LSE provide the academic direction for this programme.

Since its foundation in 1895, LSE has been regarded as an international centre of academic excellence and innovation in the social sciences. Its teaching and research is recognised worldwide as a benchmark of quality.

The School’s academic profile spans the broad range of social sciences – disciplines that reflect how we interact with one another and with society. LSE is an institution renowned for focusing on ‘real world’ issues. Current areas of research and expertise include globalisation, human rights, risk and business management, new communications technologies, urban and regional policies, and new forms of governance.

LSE alumni and former staff include 16 Nobel prize winners and 34 past or present heads of state. LSE academics come from all over the world and from many social, educational and ethnic backgrounds. They are in constant demand as commentators and analysts in the media, act as advisors to governments, and are seconded to national and international organisations.

Academic leaders

Dr Keith Sharp: Programme director

Keith has 20 years experience of working in British universities, including Coventry University, De Montfort University and the University of Gloucestershire, where he was dean of faculty and associate pro-vice-chancellor. In 2009-10 he spent a year as head of the UK HE International Unit based at Universities UK.

Keith is very familiar with the area of international partnerships and transnational education. Partnerships and internationalisation formed part of his remit at De Montfort and Gloucestershire. In his position as head of the UK Higher Education International Unit, he was regularly consulted by universities for advice on their international strategies, including international marketing. More recently, he has been acting as a consultant to a number of public and private sector HE institutions on various aspects of their international marketing and recruitment strategies.

Keith took his undergraduate degree at LSE between 1984-87 and graduated with a first in sociology, as well as being awarded the Hobhouse Memorial Prize. Further details of the University of London International Programmes at LSE team can be found on the Who's who page on the LSE website.

Apply online

Alumni Inspiration: BSc International Relations (UK)

Lindsey Jayne Keighley studied for the BSc International Relations with the University of London International Programmes while she was working as cabin crew on long haul flights for an international airline and the degree helped her secure a place on the prestigious UK Civil Service Fast Stream recruitment programme.

Hear from our students - Alice Senga, BSc International Relations (Congo)

Alice Senga, from Brussels is currently studying for a BSc in International Relations. Alice is interested in the Politics in the country of Congo and wants to know more about the relations between Congo and the rest of the world. hear also how Alice is able to balance work, study and playtime.

BSc International Relations