Founded in 1919 after the end of World War I, the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth is the world’s first university department of International Politics, and it remains one of the largest departments of politics and international relations in Europe with over 40 academic staff. Its vibrant and cosmopolitan learning environment welcomes students from all over the world, and provides a lively venue for contemporary and international political debate. The Department is renowned for its pioneering research and is recognised as number one in the UK for the study of international politics. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2008), the Department of International Politics was awarded the highest grade possible 5*, and in the THES RAE Subject ratings for Politics and International Studies, Aberystwyth ranks third, ahead of Oxford and the London School of Economics. Our lecturers are committed to excellence in both teaching and research, providing you with an outstanding and dynamic learning environment. Research excellence feeds directly into undergraduate teaching, so that you are exposed to the very latest and most innovative ideas in the field even before they have become generally available through publication. We firmly believe that the synergy between research and teaching makes for a thought-provoking education. The Department operates a prestigious Parliamentary Placement scheme, enabling you to gain valuable experience working alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or an AM (Welsh Assembly, Cardiff) for a period of 4-6 weeks during the summer. During this time you will write reports and speeches, undertake research projects, and respond to constituency issues. There may be further opportunities for you to get involved in elections and various international issues. The Department is also home to Interstate, the oldest student-run international politics journal in the United Kingdom, providing a unique opportunity for you to publish your work (particularly advantageous if you wish to progress to postgraduate study) or gain valuable experience working as part of the editorial team. The Department also has links with carefully selected universities in Europe, Australia or Canada, offering you an excellent opportunity to expand your academic and social horizons by spending a part of your university experience abroad. Stimulating student societies foster a strong sense of community within the department, offering a programme of political debates, visiting speakers, conferences and workshops - even the opportunity to take part in UN peacekeeping courses - alongside numerous social activities such as an annual ball. The Department also offers a number of degree schemes and modules taught entirely or partially through the medium of Welsh. Further details may be obtained from the Department.

Your BA in International Politics opens up a range of exciting opportunities for employment and further training. You will be suited to work as a public affairs consultant (lobbyist), politician's assistant, government social research officer, social researcher or civil service fast streamer. Your skills would also be useful in the Diplomatic Service, local government, the charitable sector or in journalism as a political specialist. Throughout your degree you will develop a wealth of core and other skills that can be easily transferred into almost any graduate or professional employment situation. For instance, you will learn to critically appraise historic political decision-making in case studies and apply the lessons in scenarios and papers. This sort of analysis and application of learning will equip you for any job in the political arena or in generic graduate employment.