Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations with Geography

Global affairs, politics, and international relations is the study of how the world is organised, governed, and contested at an international level. It asks how states, international organisations, non-governmental bodies, and other actors interact, conflict, and cooperate; how global power is distributed and exercised; and how issues such as security, trade, human rights, climate change, and migration are managed across borders. The addition of geography to this framework adds a spatial and environmental dimension, connecting the abstract study of international systems to the physical and human landscapes in which those systems operate.

At the University of Chester, this three-year full-time programme is structured to develop both depth of understanding and breadth of experience. A placement year gives you the opportunity to work in a relevant organisation, whether in the public sector, an NGO, a think tank, or a business with international interests. A year abroad offers exposure to different political and cultural contexts, enriching your understanding of global affairs from the inside rather than purely through academic study.

Work placements are also embedded in the programme, ensuring you graduate with practical skills and professional contacts alongside your academic qualification. The typical entry tariff of 104 points makes the programme accessible to students from a range of backgrounds.

You will study international relations theory, comparative politics, geopolitical analysis, environmental geography, development studies, and the institutions and legal frameworks that govern international affairs. The geographical component deepens your understanding of how physical environments and human landscapes shape political outcomes and vice versa. Graduates of this combined degree go on to careers in government, diplomacy, the civil service, international organisations, journalism, NGOs, development agencies, and policy research.

The analytical, research, and communication skills you develop are valued across the public, private, and voluntary sectors, and postgraduate study in international relations, political science, development, or law is a common next step for those who want to specialise further.