Education and Politics and International Relations
Education and politics and international relations at Strathclyde is a combination that addresses two of the most important domains of public life. Education studies the theory, history, and sociology of teaching and learning, asking how schools and educational systems work, how they can be improved, and what values and purposes they should serve. Politics examines how power is organised and exercised in domestic and international settings, looking at government policy, political behaviour, international institutions, and the forces that drive conflict and cooperation between states.
This four-year full-time degree at the University of Strathclyde develops your understanding of both disciplines, giving you the analytical tools to engage with education as a political and social institution and with politics as a field that is shaped by and in turn shapes educational provision. As a politics student, you will study the work of governments and their policies, the behaviour of those who govern, and international institutions and issues relating to conflict and cooperation. The degree includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study education and politics in a different national context, which is particularly valuable given the comparative dimension that both fields naturally invite.
The typical entry tariff of 200 points reflects the competitive nature of the programme at Strathclyde.
Graduates of this combination go on to careers in education, policy, politics, international organisations, the civil service, NGOs, journalism, and educational development. The understanding of how political systems shape educational provision and vice versa is particularly valuable for those who want to work at the intersection of education policy and political advocacy. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in education, political science, international relations, or public policy, and some go on to work in educational research, inspectorate roles, or teacher training.