Undergraduate

BA/BSc (Honours) International Studies

On this page

• Description
• Planning your studies
• Career relevance
• Courses
• Learning outcomes
• Credit for previous study elsewhere
• Classification of your degree
• Regulations
• How to register

Description

If you’re awarded a BA or BSc (Hons) International Studies you’ll have a broad understanding of contemporary international issues; of the key political, economic, environmental and cultural aspects of the international order; and of the dynamics of the international system. You’ll also develop an understanding of international institutions, politics and policy and of issues arising from international economic processes and cultural interactions.

International studies is concerned with analysing and understanding the fact that our world is made up of many different, interacting societies. As an academic discipline its core concerns range from international politics, diplomacy, cooperation, war and security to international economics and development; from cultural and religious interactions between different societies to the international spread of technology and environmental problems. International studies is also concerned with questions of the overall character and political make-up of the international system as a whole, and the sources of order and disorder within it, as well as the distinct political, economic and cultural aspects of this. International studies as an academic subject often goes under alternative labels such as International relations or Politics and international relations.

Planning your studies

If you’re new to study or to the OU, we recommend that you start with a course at Level 1. For this degree we particularly recommend Introducing the social sciences (DD101) (or Introducing the social sciences - part one (DD131)) and Introducing the social sciences – part two (DD132) (planned for first presentation November 2010).

Or you can start with Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116). Other possible starting points are detailed below. If you complete this Level 1 work successfully you’ll have a firm foundation for future studies as well as credit points to count towards your degree.

You can register your intention to study for this degree when you reserve your place on individual courses, or you can ask us at any time to link towards the degree courses that you have already studied. This gives you the flexibility to delay your decision or to change your mind as your studies progress. There is no time limit for obtaining the required credit points for this qualification; however, you should note limitations on individual courses as mentioned below. You must include at least 120 points from OU courses that have not been counted in any other OU diploma or other first degree you have been awarded. If you have graduated with an OU BA or BSc degree without honours this requirement is reduced to 60 points.

Career relevance and employability

International studies graduates are found in a wide range of professions in the private and public sectors, including international agencies and government bodies (national and European). If you choose a language option you’ll have a grounding in another language that may add to your professional opportunities.

Ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for the careers publication OU study and your career if you want to find out more about the process of career development and about sources of careers information and guidance.

For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.

There’s more information about the career relevance of degrees on the national HE Prospects website.

Courses

For this 360-point honours degree you require:

60 points from the following optional courses:

Or, subject to the rules of excluded combinations, the discontinued courses D102, D103, DD100, T171, T172

And 60 points from the following compulsory course:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses U208, UZX213

And at least 60 points from the following optional courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses A213, D214, D215, D216, DT210, L210 paired with L302, L213 paired with L303, L221/LL221 paired with L224, L230/LL230 paired with L231, LL203, LL204, LZX203*, LZX204, LZX211, U205, U206, U210

And 60 points from the following compulsory course:

And at least 60 points from the following optional courses:

Or subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses AT308, B300, D308, D312, D316, DD302, DU310, L210 paired with L302/LZX302, L303 paired with L213, LZX310, LZX313

To complete the 360 points needed for an honours degree, the remaining points up to a maximum of 60 points can be from any OU undergraduate courses. You must ensure that you have the required number of points at each level.

The Level 1 and compulsory courses listed can count towards this degree after we have stopped presenting them: for 20 years for Level 1 courses and 10 years for compulsory courses (U213/UZX213, U208 and DU301). Please see the course descriptions for future availability.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.

Credit for previous study elsewhere

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.

Credit transfer details for this qualification:

• Essential Information Sheets - BA/BSc (Honours) International Studies

Classification of your degree

On successful completion of the required number and type of courses you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (Honours) International Studies degree. Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in 240 points from those courses above Level 1 listed above. At least 120 of those points must come from courses at Level 3. You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony to collect your award certificate.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.

Award Regulations

• Introduction to the Award Regulations
• General Award Regulations
• BA/BSc (Honours) International Studies
• Schedule A to the Award Regulations

Student Regulations

The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.

How to register

To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.

About this page

An undergraduate qualification in Environment, Development and International Studies.

Study explained

Credit points

- show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.

Level

- indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.

Financial support

- find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.

Study explained

- all you need to know about studying with the OU.

Got a question?

Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90

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