BSc in International Relations and History (Full Time)  BSc in International Relations and History (Full Time) London School of Economics and Political Science ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1563787223Untitled-1.jpg

The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. Please note that the LSE100 course is under review. 

First year 

In the first year you will take two compulsory courses: International Relations: Theories, Concepts and Debates, and International History since 1890. You will also take LSE100 in the Lent term. Please note that the LSE100 course is under review. You will also take the unassessed course Thinking Like a Historian during specified weeks of Michaelmas Term.

As well as the compulsory courses, you can choose two from: From Empire to Independence: The Extra-European World in the Twentieth Century; Faith, Power and Revolution: Europe and the Wider World c1500-1800; Contemporary Issues in International Relations; a language course; and an approved outside option from another department at LSE.

(* denotes a half unit course)

International Relations: Theories, Concepts and Debates
Examines the theories and concepts designed to explain the nature of contemporary international relations.

Historical Approaches to the Modern World
Provides a foundation to allow first-year historians to come to grips with the many different ways in which historians pursue their craft.

Two from: 
International Politics since 1914: Peace and War
Provides an overview of international politics since the early twentieth century, focusing on the origins, course, and impact of the two world wars and the Cold War. 
From Empire to Independence: The Extra-European World in the Twentieth Century
An introductory survey of events outside Europe in the twentieth century, with a particular emphasis on the collapse of the Western colonial empires, the development of relations between the West and the new states within Asia and Africa, revolutionary developments in Latin America, and the rise of non-Western models of political development. 
Faith, Power and Revolution: Europe and the Wider World c1500-1800
Provides an introduction to the international history of the early modern period by examining the complex political, religious, military and economic relationships between Europe and the wider world.
Contemporary Issues in International Relations
Provides an opportunity to gain an analytically deeper understanding and reflect critically upon some of the most topical issues that currently confront international relations and which shape the development of the contemporary international order
One language course option
One approved outside option

LSE100
Beginning in the Lent term of the first year and running through the Michaelmas term of the second year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and introduces you to the fundamental elements of thinking like a social scientist. Please note that the LSE100 course is under review.

Second year 

In the second year you will take two international relations options from a choice of four, and two history options from a range of options.

Two from:
International Political Theory
Combines classical theory with modern ways of explaining and understanding international relations. 
Foreign Policy Analysis 1
Analyses various theoretical perspectives on foreign policy, and the means of conduct of the main actors in the international system towards each other.
International Organisations
Examines major theoretical and empirical aspects of the role of international organisations in international politics.
International Security
Provides a thorough introduction to the literature on international security, both theoretical and policy-oriented
International Political Economy
Examines the role of power and politics in international economic relations.

Two international history options

LSE100
Beginning in the Lent term of the first year and running through the Michaelmas term of the second year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and introduces you to the fundamental elements of thinking like a social scientist. Please note that the LSE100 course is under review.

Third year  

In the third year, you will take a further course from the choice of options in the second year, and will take courses to the value of one unit from a range of international relations options. You will also take one international history option from a selection. For your final choice you will either take an additional option from these lists, or will complete a dissertation.

One international relations option from the above list

One government or international relations option

One history option

Either
Dissertation
Or
One additional international relations option
Or
One additional history option
Or
One approved outside option

You can find the most up-to-date list of optional courses in the Programme Regulations section of the current School Calendar.

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up-to-date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.