There are many reasons why taking this Extended Degree option could be the ideal choice; you may not have the exact subjects or grades at A level to meet the entry requirements, you may have tried other options such as apprenticeship and want to change direction or have been living abroad.

Whatever your starting point, studying this Extended Degree option offers you a great opportunity to gain both a UK and US degree and start the adventure of a lifetime, studying with us in the world’s top student city.

This is what our Extended Degree option can offer you:
- Start this programme with lower entry qualifications, see our website for further details

- A four year, full-time degree programme with an extra summer semester in Year 1, so you can study at your own pace

- Timetabled English and study skills classes to enhance your knowledge and skills

- Great student support including a Personal Academic Advisor, with help on housing, health and wellbeing, financial guidance and careers advice from our award-winning Student Affairs team

**International Relations are never far from the news headlines as the world grows more interconnected through trade and migration, the internet and social media. Blend the fields of politics, economics, history and law as you explore our ever-changing political landscape.**

This programme will provide you with specific knowledge in three core areas: International Relations theory and concepts, global institutions, and contemporary issues in international affairs.

You’ll be able to choose topics from a variety of electives including ‘International Human Rights’, ‘Conflict and Peace Studies’, ‘Foreign Policy Analysis’, ‘Diplomatic Studies’, ‘US Grand Strategy’, ‘Global Energy Politics’, and ‘Critical Globalization Studies’. You can also take courses which allow you to specialise in the International Relations of different regions, including the USA, Latin America, the EU, Asia, Russia, Africa and the Middle East.

We'll introduce you to the main concepts and approaches to the study of international relations and encourage you to analyse, interpret and evaluate world political events and issues. It’s a broad remit as you’ll investigate security, nationalism and warfare while also addressing politics within international law and institutions, the global economy, and issues related to development and developing states.

**Top 5 Reasons to Study International Relations at Richmond:**
- Acquire an analytical grasp of contemporary social, political and economic issues as well as conflicts at international and regional level

- Broaden your perspective by understanding the main actors and institutions in the international system and their impact on society

- Gain vital work experience with an international internship, enhancing your career opportunities, while building experience with writing in a range of professional formats from project evaluations, policy briefs and policy-maker profiles to NGO campaign analyses and project grant applications.

- Take part in field trips to the European Parliament, Council and Commission and NATO in Brussels and the International Court of Justice in the Hague

- Learn from faculty academics leading research in specialist areas from ‘US Grand Strategy’ to ‘International Human Rights’

**Career Paths**
Our graduates go on to work in a range of fields including government (for instance, the Diplomatic Service and Ministry of Defence in the UK), NGOs, charities, social enterprises, journalism, banking, research and policy think tanks, consultancies, humanitarian organisations and international organisations.

Their workplaces have included the Embassy of Dominican Republic, the European Commission, Moody’s Investors Service, KPMG, The ECB, the Federal Reserve Bank, Microsoft Corporation, PricewaterhouseCoopers and the US Department of Homeland Security.