Politics and International Studies
Studying in the disciplines of Politics and International Studies enables you to take part in the critical analysis of political ideas in an international context and will equip you with the theoretical foundations upon which you can build analysis of issue-based problems. It appeals to people interested in subjects such as the politics of the EU, problems of international development, issues relating to states and markets, and international conflict and security.
Why Study In PAIS At Warwick?
Warwick’s Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS) is one of the largest and most highly regarded departments of its kind in the UK, ranked sixth in the Guardian University Guide 2012 and seventh in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise.
Our core modules provide you with a comprehensive disciplinary grounding, whilst the broad range of options allows you to tailor your programme, perhaps developing an area of specialism in political theory, international security or international political economy. You can also choose modules from other departments in Social Science and Humanities. All Warwick degrees incorporate the chance to add a language to your skill set.
We attract some of the best students and academics from around 40 countries, providing PAIS with a unique mix of diversity, dynamism, and valuable international expertise and experience.
PAIS has over 750 undergraduate students in our single honours and joint degrees, providing scope for forming study groups and friendships across a range of complementary disciplines including Sociology, Philosophy, Economics, History, and French, German or Italian Studies.
Our students are equipped with valuable transferable skills such as theoretical analysis, quantitative and qualitative research skills, and a high level of written and verbal communication.
Student Profile: Akash Mukerji,
2nd year, Politics with International Studies
'PAIS at Warwick has fulfilled all my expectations. The Department has provided an intellectually stimulating course which allowed me to discover areas of the discipline I hadn’t encountered before university and then take these interests further. Warwick’s flexible course structure meant that I could also take modules from other departments and broaden my academic horizons considerably. The personal tutor support system also means that someone’s always there to help.
I chose to study something that I was passionate about and Warwick allowed me to explore that in a way that really motivates me. This, I firmly believe, is what university is about and spending three years doing something you really enjoy can only help career plans. At Warwick you will certainly find your niche and be able to shine'.
How Will I Be Taught?
You normally take four modules in each year of your degree and have eight hours per week of classroom contact. Teaching follows a pattern of weekly lectures and seminars, supplemented by group work, documentary and film screenings and the use of web-based materials. In preparation for seminars, you are expected to read widely from recommended reading and conduct extensive independent research. You have the opportunity to deliver at least one seminar presentation per module. PAIS has a faculty of 40 academic staff, almost all of whom teach at undergraduate level or supervise final‑year dissertations. You will be offered a wide choice of modules, including overviews of topics such as Political Theory, Public Policy, International Relations, and Comparative Politics, and specialised or regionally-specific modules such as Politics of the UK, United States Foreign Policy, States and Markets, Gender and Development and Britain and the War on Terror.
How Will I Be Assessed?
Assessment takes the form of a combination of essays and examinations at the end of each year; you will be provided with extensive feedback on formative essays. Most modules offer you the opportunity to choose between sitting examinations or submitting assessed essays.
What Opportunities Are There To Study Abroad?
The Department offers a number of opportunities to study abroad as part of a degree. You can apply to spend the second year of your degree on one of our competitive US exchange placements at the University of California, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Richmond University, or Georgetown University, and still complete your Warwick degree in three years. If you would rather study abroad for part of your second year, you may apply for our half-year exchange programme with City University, Hong Kong. All students have the option of spending their third year at one of our Erasmus partners in Europe. This will add a year to your overall period of study and you will thus complete your degree in four years. Students joining the Erasmus scheme are also expected to have a working knowledge of the relevant language before going abroad. An A level or GCSE with evidence of language capability, or other evidence of linguistic competence that the PAIS Director of International Students deems acceptable, are required.
What Careers Can A Warwick Degree In Politics And International Studies Lead To?
Many of our graduates pursue careers in government, as civil servants, as members of think-tanks and in nongovernmental organisations; others have gone on to careers in areas such as management, finance, journalism,
consultancy, marketing, the media, law, teaching and public relations, in the UK and overseas. A PAIS degree is also excellent preparation for postgraduate study in Politics and International Studies and a range of other disciplines.
DEGREES
Politics with International Studies L260 BA/PolIS
Politics with French L2R1 BA/PolFr4
Politics and Sociology LL23 BA/PolSoc
German with International Studies R2L2 BA/GeIS4 (see German)
French with International Studies R1L2 BA/FrIS (see French)
Italian with International Studies R3L2 BA/ITIS4 (see Italian)
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) LV00 BA/BSc MOD/PPE (see Philosophy)
FURTHER INFORMATION
Gap year: Applications for deferred entry welcomed.
Interviews: Applicants returning to study may be interviewed.
Open days: The Department holds a variety of sessions open to all prospective students on the two University Open Days and also offers three Departmental Open Days during Spring Term for applicants to whom offers have been made.
Admissions:
(024) 7652 3723
Email:
ugadmissions@warwick.ac.uk
More about undergraduate study in Politics and International Studies
