Programme Specifications

International Relations and Military History


1 : Awarding Institution / Body
Aberystwyth University

2a : Teaching Institution / University
Aberystwyth University

2b : Work-based learning (where appropriate)


Information provided by Department of International Politics:

N/A



3a : Programme accredited by
Aberystwyth University

3b : Programme approved by
Aberystwyth University

4 : Final Award
Bachelor of Arts

5 : Programme title
International Relations and Military History

6 : UCAS code
H2VL

7 : QAA Subject Benchmark


Information provided by Department of International Politics:

The relevant QAA benchmark statement for Politics and International Relations can be found here: https://www.qaa.ac.uk/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements/subject-benchmark-statement-politics-and-international-relations 

8 : Date of publication


Information provided by Department of International Politics:

September 2023

9 : Educational aims of the programme


Information provided by Department of International Politics:

This programme combines a general introduction to International Relations with a particular focus on the nature, conduct and impact of war on society throughout history. War is therefore considered in its cultural, social, international and political, as well as purely military, dimensions. Students enrolled on the programme gain a grounding in international relations while also developing a specialist knowledge of the major issues and debates that preoccupy military historians. The programme encompasses philosophical, historical, theoretical and empirical questions and concerns. The multiple dimensions of International Relations and Military History are considered in a core framework of modules that provide the foundations of an undergraduate specialism in the subject matter: additionally, there are optional modules which allow students to engage with issues which capture their interest. All modules are taught by research-active staff who thrive on the opportunity to engage students with their work (published, and in progress). The programme aims to produce students with the necessary skills to analyse and reflect on the subject matter of the degree scheme as well as acquire a broad range of transferable skill. Skills in this subject will be, we believe, valuable for future employers and the wider civil society.

10 : Intended learning outcomes


Information provided by Department of International Politics:

The learning outcomes of this programme are designed to meet the expectations of the Benchmarking Statement for Politics and International Relations. The structure and the delivery of the degree scheme recognizes the need to achieve an appropriate balance between the acquisition of subject specific knowledge, and the development of discipline specific and generic skills. Integrating these two components is a central feature of the learning outcomes. The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge, understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas: 

10.1 : Knowledge and understanding


Information provided by Department of International Politics:



10.2 : Skills and other attributes


Information provided by Department of International Politics:

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills:

  • 1. Identify, describe and evaluate different approaches

  • 2. Identify and research issues

  • 3. Apply concepts, theories and ideas to concrete cases

  • 4. Identify, investigate and formulate solutions to intellectual problems

  • 5. Critically reason, analyse and interpret data and ideas

  • 6. Demonstrate and exercise independence of mind

  • 7. Reflect on experience of learning and adjust intellectual strategies accordingly

  • 8. The ability to apply acquired knowledge to solving hypothetical or actual problems

  • 9. The ability to distinguish relevance and irrelevance

  • 10. Recognition that problems often have more than one solution

Teaching and learning methods and Assessment: While lectures introduce students to topics and ideas, the development of intellectual skills takes place when students engage with the topic themselves and interact with others in the intellectual learning community both during discussions (in seminars, where tutors seek to guide and develop intellectual skills, and wider public debate), and in the process of reading and writing notes, essays or examinations. Reflection and self assessment are also integral to the learning of intellectual skills. Tutors form impressions of, and assess, a student's ability and progress through contact with students in seminars and in the assessment of written work. Intellectual skills (1-10) are assessed primarily in essay and examination performance, plus the other methods of assessment set out above. The published assessment criteria reflect these intellectual skills that in turn are mirrored in the feedback to students. Students can assess their own performance by gauging their rate of progress in comparison to that of their peers, and in the light of tutor's comments. Students are free to discuss the informal development and assessment of such skills during staff office hours. Personal learning (7) is not formally assessed but relative success is reflected in a student's ability to improve over time. Personal learning is also enhanced through engagement with the Careers Development Programme process. 10.2.2 Professional Practical Skills:

  • 1. Seek, extract and effectively annotate information from a range of sources

  • 2. Prioritise and organise information and deploy it as evidence in argument

  • 3. Plan, undertake and complete written work (to strict deadlines) suitable for different audiences or tasks

  • 4. Identification and retrieval of relevant and up to date information

  • 5. Collate information and arguments at short notice to answer specific questions

  • 6. Express informed opinions through written work and discussion.

  • 7. Listen and respond appropriately to the opinions of others

  • 8. Formulate questions and explore links between divergent topics

  • 9. Learn from experience

Teaching and learning methods and assessment:
All core modules, and in particular those taught at Part One, contain elements which directly address the development of practical skills (1-8). The process of writing essays, reports and presentations etc (1-6) and preparing for examinations (1-6, 9) allows the student to hone skills through practice, guided by feedback from tutors. Discussion in seminars or engagement with debate in public fora leads students to improve their intellectual communication skills (2, 5-9). Students also learn and improve such skills through personal reflection on their learning experience and purposeful adaptation of their learning methods; a process reflected upon in all modules. Personal learning is also enhanced through engagement with the Careers Development Programme process.

10.3 : Transferable/Key skills


Information provided by Department of International Politics:

On completion of the programme the student will be able to take responsibility for themselves and their work. They will be able to:

  • Work independently

  • Work in a team

  • Respect the views and beliefs of others

  • Listen

  • Communicate orally

  • Communicate in writing

  • Communicate electronically

  • Word-process

  • Use the Web

  • Manage time and work to deadlines

  • Research issues

  • Solve problems

  • Adapt to change

  • Develop career awareness



11 : Program Structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards



BA International Relations and Military History [H2VL]

Academic Year: 2024/2025Single Honours scheme - available from 2019/2020

Duration (studying Full-Time): 3 years

Part 1 Rules

Year 1 Core (40 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
IP12420

Exploring the International 1: Central Concepts and Core Skills

IP12820

The Making of the Modern World: War Peace and Revolution since 1789

Semester 2

Year 1 Options

Students may take 80 credits (4 modules) of optional modules from the list below. Students may take 1 x 20 credit module outside the Department.

Semester 1
CY11020

Ymwneud â'ch pwnc yn Gymraeg: sgiliau dwyieithog ar gyfer y brifysgol a'r gweithle

GW12620

Y Tu ôl i'r Penawdau

IP12620

Behind the Headlines

Semester 2
GW12520

Globaleiddio a Datblygiad Byd-eang

GW12920

Gwleidyddiaeth yn yr Unfed Ganrif ar Hugain

IP10320

War, Strategy and Intelligence

IP12520

Globalization and Global Development

IP12920

Politics in the 21st Century

Part 2 Rules

Year 2 Core (20 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 2
IP25320

Warfare after Waterloo: Military History 1815-1918

Year 2 Options

In addition to the core/compulsory module, Single Honours students may take 100 credits (5 modules) of optional modules from the list of those made available at pre-registration. Students may take 1 x 20 credit module outside the Department.

Semester 1
GQ20920

Y Meddwl Cymreig mewn Syniadaeth Ryngwladol

GQ23720

Gwleidyddiaeth mewn Cymdeithasau Amrywiaethol

GQ23920

Pobl a Grym: Deall Gwleidyddiaeth Gymharol Heddiw

IP20720

Climate Change and International Politics in the Anthropocene

IP21420

Climate Change Politics

IP23020

Science, Technology, and International Relations

IP23820

The European Union: Politics, Policies, Problems

IP26420

The Second World War in Europe

IP29220

International Politics and Global Development

IQ20220

Intervention and Humanitarianism

IQ20320

The BRICS in World Politics

IQ23420

Total War, Total Peace

IQ23720

Politics in Diverse Societies

IQ23920

People and Power: Understanding Comparative Politics Today

IQ24920

Russian intelligence from Lenin to Putin

IQ25120

Strategy, Intelligence and Security in International Politics

Semester 2
GW20120

Cysylltiadau Rhyngwladol: Safbwyntiau a Thrafodaethau

GW25020

Datganoli a Chymru

IP20120

International Relations: Perspectives and Debates

IP20820

Militaries and Crisis: Where Strategy Meets Society

IP22220

Political Theory

IP22320

The Governance of Climate Change: Simulation Module

IP24520

Terrorism & Counter Terrorism in the Modern World: Policing, Intelligence & War

IP25020

Devolution and Wales

IP26820

Questions of International Politics

IP28320

A War on the Mind: Propaganda and Secret Intelligence from the Great War to the 21st Century

IP28720

Contemporary Latin America

IQ21620

Trade Wars and the Liberal Order

IQ22820

Capitalism and International Politics

IQ25720

War Crimes

Final Year Core (40 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
IP30000

Dissertation

Semester 2
IP30040

Dissertation

Final Year Options

In addition to the core modules, Single Honours students must take 80 credits (4 modules) of optional modules from those made available at pre-registration. Students may take 1 x 20 credit module outside the Department.

Semester 1
GQ30920

Y Meddwl Cymreig Mewn Syniadaeth Ryngwladol

GQ33720

Gwleidyddiaeth mewn Cymdeithasau Amrywiaethol

IP31420

Climate Change Politics

IP33020

Science, Technology, and International Relations

IP33820

The European Union: Politics, Policies, Problems

IP36420

The Second World War in Europe

IQ30220

Intervention and Humanitarianism

IQ30320

The BRICS in World Politics

IQ33420

Total War, Total Peace

IQ33720

Politics in Diverse Societies

IQ34920

Russian intelligence from Lenin to Putin

Semester 2
GW35020

Datganoli a Chymru

IP30820

Militaries and Crisis: Where Strategy Meets Society

IP32220

Political Theory

IP34520

Terrorism & Counter Terrorism in the Modern World: Policing, Intelligence & War

IP35020

Devolution and Wales

IP36820

Questions of International Politics

IP38320

A War on the Mind: Propaganda and Secret Intelligence from the Great War to the 21st Century

IP38720

Contemporary Latin America

IQ31620

Trade Wars and the Liberal Order

IQ32820

Capitalism and International Politics

IQ35720

War Crimes


12 : Support for students and their learning
Every student is allocated a Personal Tutor. Personal Tutors have an important role within the overall framework for supporting students and their personal development at the University. The role is crucial in helping students to identify where they might find support, how and where to seek advice and how to approach support to maximise their student experience. Further support for students and their learning is provided by Information Services and Student Support and Careers Services.

13 : Entry Requirements
Details of entry requirements for the scheme can be found at http://courses.aber.ac.uk

14 : Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning
All taught study schemes are subject to annual monitoring and periodic review, which provide the University with assurance that schemes are meeting their aims, and also identify areas of good practice and disseminate this information in order to enhance the provision.

15 : Regulation of Assessment
Academic Regulations are published as Appendix 2 of the Academic Quality Handbook: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aqro/handbook/app-2/.

15.1 : External Examiners
External Examiners fulfill an essential part of the University’s Quality Assurance. Annual reports by External Examiners are considered by Faculties and Academic Board at university level.

16 : Indicators of quality and standards
The Department Quality Audit questionnaire serves as a checklist about the current requirements of the University’s Academic Quality Handbook. The periodic Department Reviews provide an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of quality assurance processes and for the University to assure itself that management of quality and standards which are the responsibility of the University as a whole are being delivered successfully.