BA in Political Science and International Relations
Overview
One of the main goals of the Department of Politics and International Relations at UKH is to educate and train graduates capable of contributing to the future development of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in the turbulent and complex arena of contemporary world politics.
To this end, the BA in Political Science and International Relations creates an exciting and supporting learning environment where students can develop a robust, critical knowledge of the major theoretical and methodological issues related to the study of politics and international relations, while also acquire the competences that will make them competitive in a wide range of professional areas. Special emphasis is placed on equipping students with the necessary skills to start a successful career in the sectors of public management and diplomacy.
Delivered by a cohort of passionate and highly qualified academics coming from internationally re-known universities, theBA in Political Science and International Relations also gives students the opportunity to undertake internships and to gain work experience, thereby increasing their employability. Graduates from the Department of Politics and International Relations have found positions in a number of professional areas including government administration, international organizations, diplomatic representations, no-profit, media, and the business sector.
Admission Requirements
- High School Diploma: High school certificate, attained within the last five years and with a general high school score of 60% or above
- English Language Proficiency: Minimum English Language entry level is 40 in PTE, 5.0 in IELTS 52, in ibt-TOEFL or 85 in Duolingo. and progression required English score is 45 in PTE, 5.5 in IELTS, 64 in ibt-TOEFL or 95 in Duolingo.
- School Entrance Test
- Scheduled Interview
- Equalized transcript is required for students who have graduated from international institutions.
- Conditional Offer may be given to applicants who submit the required minimum score from Versant English Placement Test - Pearson.
- Applicants dismissed for any reason from any university, school or college will not be considered.
- Application Form: Online application is required
- Official transcripts: Provide a copy of your official transcript (for applicants who graduated from international institutions, an equalized transcript is required).
- Certification Letter from High School: Provide an official letter from your High School Confirming your High School Average.
- A copy of your Passport/ID
Curriculum
Following general academic standards set by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in the UK, the BA in Political Science and International Relations is a 4-year integrated, full-time programme that covers the main interdisciplinary domains of political science (political theory, law, political economy, international relations, political sociology, security studies), while providing specialized training in the sub-fields of public management and diplomatic studies. The total number of credits is 480, which means 120 credits each year. As far as the structure of the programme is concerned, during the first two years students are required to attend core modules in politics and international relations. Starting from the 1st semester of the 3rd year, students are offered the opportunity to pursue modules in their desired area of specialization. Before starting the programme, students are required to undertake a one-year academic English language programme geared to improve their familiarity with English language and develop the required skills for their degree.
Modules:
Year One
Semester I
| Module Code | Module Name | Credits |
| PIR110 | Research, Reading and Writing | 15 |
| PIR122 | Introduction to Political Science | 15 |
| PIR105 | Introduction to International Relations | 15 |
| PIR114 | Kurdish Studies | 15 |
Semester II
| Module Code | Module Name | Credits |
| PIR108 | Introduction to Modern Political Ideologies | 15 |
| PIR109 | Introduction to the Modern Middle East | 15 |
| ENG129 | Public Speaking and Debate | 15 |
| PIR101 | World History | 15 |
Year Two
Semester I
| Module Code | Module Name | Credits |
| PIR231 | Introduction to Theories of International Relations | 15 |
| PIR234 | Public International Law I | 15 |
| PIR229 | Gender in Politics | 15 |
| PIR235 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 15 |
Semester II
| Module Code | Module Name | Credits |
| PIR233 | The Politics of the Middle East | 15 |
| PIR228 | Migration and Migration Policies | 15 |
| PIR221 | Modern Kurdish History | 15 |
| PIR236 | Geopolitics of Energy and Natural Resources | 15 |
Year Three
Semester I
| Module Code | Module Name | Credits |
| PIR327 | Governance and Public Policy | 15 |
| PIR328 | Political Geography | 15 |
| PIR315 | Foreign Policy Analysis | 15 |
| PIR329 | Security Studies | 15 |
Semester II
| Module Code | Module Name | Credits | |
| PIR330 | Public International Law II | 15 | |
| PIR326 | Research Methods I | 15 | |
| PIR331 | Key Concepts in Political Thought | 15 | |
| PIR332 | The Politics and History of Iraq | 15 |
Year Four
Semester I
| Module Code | Module Name | Credits |
| PIR401 | Thesis I | 15 |
| PIR404 | Internship | 30 |
| PIR412 | Nationalism and Nation Building | 15 |
| PIR417 | Conflict Resolution | 15 |
Semester II
| Module Code | Module Name | Credits |
| PIR405 | Thesis II | 15 |
| PIR407 | Contemporary Politics of Kurds and Kurdistan | 15 |
| PIR409 | International Political Economy | 15 |
Skills Development
TheBA in Political Science and International Relations will give students a distinctive set of key skills, which will enable them to stand out in their future studies and desired career. Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be able to:
Demonstrate critical understanding of the nature and significance of politics at the national and international level.
Show familiarity with the major theoretical and methodological issues associated with the study of politics and international relations.
Make sense of complex texts and nuanced literature pertaining to politics and international relations.
Apply appropriate research methods and conceptual tools to the study of the public management sector.
Develop a solid knowledge of the various dimensions of diplomatic practice.
Examine the functioning of systems of governance at national, regional, and global level.
Use analytical tools relevant to international affairs and diplomatic practice.
Carry out administrative tasks in public and international institutions.
Employ a sophisticated and flexible set of written and verbal communication skills to illustrate critical arguments based on thoroughly vetted information.
Use communication and information technology for the retrieval and presentation of complex information, including, where appropriate, statistical or numerical information.