BA International Relations / History

Why study

International Relations / History at Aberystwyth? As a student on this course you will be mentored and guided by lecturers in two departments who are enthusiastic and committed to providing you with an outstanding and dynamic learning environment. Our Department of International Politics is the world’s first department of its kind, founded in 1919 after the end of World War I to help the world understand the world.

Our Department of History and Welsh History is the most established history department in Wales and one of the foremost in Britain. The Department is committed to small-group teaching and one-to-one support. The Department of International Politics operates a prestigious Parliamentary Placement Scheme, enabling you to gain valuable experience working alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or an MS (Welsh Senedd, Cardiff) for a period of 4-6 weeks during the summer.

During this time you will write reports and speeches, undertake research projects, and respond to constituency issues. There may be further opportunities for you to get involved in elections and various international issues. It is also home to Interstate, the oldest student-run international politics journal in the United Kingdom, providing a unique opportunity for you to publish your work (particularly advantageous if you wish to progress to postgraduate study) or gain valuable experience working as part of the editorial team.

Stimulating student societies foster a strong sense of community within the department, offering a programme of political debates, visiting speakers, conferences and workshops, alongside numerous social activities such as an annual ball. The Department of History and Welsh History has a Staff-Student Committee which represents your interests and there is a lively History Society which organises guest lectures, visits to places of interest and social events. The Department also holds a yearly staff-student conference at Gregynog - a beautiful large country mansion and historical educational venue in Mid Wales.

In the Department of International Politics, all students have the opportunity to participate in the renowned ‘Crisis Games’ - a three-day role playing exercise in political, economic and diplomatic manoeuvre, developing negotiation and communication, critical thinking, team work, and problem-solving skills. As a student of our Department of History and Welsh History, you will have access to some of the country's leading libraries and heritage organisations, such as the National Library of Wales - one of only five copyright libraries in the UK - situated just below the university campus, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, and Ceredigion Archives. These institutions provide excellent resources for history students.

Staff in the Department of History and Welsh History are active researchers and experts in their field of History. Most are qualified to PhD level and hold PGCHE. To find out more about our staff, please visit our departmental staff page.

Lecturers in the Department of International Politics are all research active and qualified to PhD level, and most also have a PGCHE.