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The BA Politics and International Relations with Quantitative Research is one of several new Quantitative Research Minor programmes set up by the University of Kent’s Q-Step Centre as a response to the shortage of analytical skills needed by employers. By studying with the Q-Step centre you can pursue your interest in politics and international relations whilst gaining valuable quantitative research skills which are in high demand by employers across the public, private and third sectors.
Overview
On the BA Politics and International Relations with Quantitative Research you are taught by international experts on subjects such as conflict resolution, federalism, comparative politics, European integration and terrorism.
A quantitative research minor opens your mind to new ways of thinking. As part of a multi-million pound national campaign to improve quantitative skills amongst undergraduates, the Q-Step centre boasts a team of world-class quantitative researchers, and innovative technology-based teaching methods. Starting with no assumed statistical knowledge, you will graduate with an advanced package of practical quantitative skills alongside subject specific knowledge in politics and international relations.
Placements
One of the strengths of Kent’s Quantitative Research programmes is the opportunity for students to complete a quantitative work placement as part of their degree. Workplace experience is highly valued by employers, and the placements offered through Kent see students completing meaningful, applied quantitative analysis for business and organisations across a range of sectors, giving you the opportunity to add concrete workplace achievements to your CV.
On the condition of achieving a 2:1, you will be able to apply to take our placements module, The Practice of Social Research, which runs for one full academic year and includes a 200-hour placement within an academic learning experience. We encourage you to undertake additional placements in the summer after Stage 2 or Stage 3, and to do a placement linked to your dissertation.
Placements will be arranged by the Q-Step Placement Officer who will provide one-to-one guidance and assist with any practical matters, although you will have the opportunity to arrange your own placement (subject to agreement) if you so wish. You will also be assigned an academic supervisor who will assist you your placement assessments.
Gets the skills employers need at Kent Q-Step Centre
Q-Step initiative
This degree is part of a range of quantitative research minor programmes offered by Kent’s Q-Step Centre, one of only 15 such prestigious centres in the UK and funded by, among others, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). In addition to the BA Politics and International Relations with Quantitative Research, the University also offers joint degrees in Criminology; Social Policy; Sociology; Law; and Business Administration with Business Analytics where you can also specialise in quantitative research. We also offer our flagship programme BSc in Statistical Social Research.
Please see www.kent.ac.uk/qstep for more information.
Independent rankings
Politics at Kent was ranked 5th in The Guardian University Guide 2017. In the National Student Survey 2016, Politics at Kent was 8th for overall satisfaction.
For graduate prospects, Politics at Kent was ranked 6th in The Guardian University Guide 2017. Of Politics students who graduated in 2015, 96% were in work or further study within six months (DLHE).
Course structure
The BA Politics and International Relations with Quantitative Research is carefully designed to take you from a basic level, with no assumed prior knowledge of quantitative methods, to a complete package of practical quantitative skills, all while gaining a thorough grounding in politics and international relations.
In Stage 1, you complete introductory quantitative modules, which teach you the methodological and technical foundations which you will build on in later years. You will also learn to think like a quantitative researcher, developing a critical eye for statistics and data analysis, both in academic research and the world around you.
In Stage 2, you move on to more advanced quantitative techniques, building on the foundations you have learnt in Stage 1, to develop an advanced skillset in quantitative methods that is extremely rare in graduates from non-mathematical disciplines.
In Stage 3, you apply what you have learnt in either a quantitative work placement or a quantitative research dissertation. Here, you hone your skills in a practical setting, gaining vital workplace or research experience, and demonstrating to employers that you can apply your skills to real life problems.
All of this is completed alongside a complete grounding in politics and international relations with scope to specialise with advanced optional politics and international relations modules in Stages 2 and 3.
The course structure below gives examples of the kinds of modules you can expect to take during the programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
*Compulsory module
Stage 1
Quantitative Research Modules:
*SO410 An Introduction to Quantitative Social Research
Politics and International Relations Modules:
*PO310 Introduction to International Politics
*PO314 Introduction to Political Thought
*PO326 Introduction to Political Science
*PO327 Introduction to Comparative Politics
PO304 Analysing British Politics Today
PO305 International History and International Relations
PO325 Introductions to Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Converting to a Quantitative Research Minor after Stage 1
Students studying other undergraduate programmes in politics and international relations may convert to the BA Politics and International Relations with Quantitative Research after Stage 1 (subject to completion of the compulsory first year politics and international relations modules and consultation with the Director of Studies for Politics and International Relations or their nominee).
To catch up on the quantitative research skills learned in the first year of a quantitative research minor, converting students must attend and pass the Quant GROUP Summer School, in the summer after Stage 1, in order to be eligible to convert.
Stage 2
Quantitative Research Modules:
*SO744 – The Power and Limits of Causal Analysis
*SO746 – How to Win Arguments with Numbers
CB554 – Introduction to Big Data
Politics and International Relations Modules:
*PO661 Fact, Evidence, Knowledge and Power
*PO555 International Organisation: the UN System
In Stage 2 you will also choose specialist modules from an approved Politics and International Relations list.
Stage 3
Quantitative Research Modules:
*SO748 Placement Module - The Practice of Quantitative Social Research
OR
*Advanced Quantitative Dissertation
In Stage 3 you will also take specialist modules from an approved Politics and International Relations list.
Teaching and assessment
In addition to learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, project supervision, and statistics classes, students can carry out hands-on research in the ‘field’ through placements and field trips. Most modules are assessed by examination and coursework in equal measure.
Politics Open Forum
We hold a weekly extra-curricular Open Forum organised by our School research groups, where students and staff have the opportunity to discuss and debate key issues of the day that affect higher education and politics in the world today.
Programme aims
This programme aims to:
- place questions of political and international order and decision-making at the centre of social-scientific analysis.
- ensure that students of politics and international relations acquire knowledge and understanding in political and international relations theory and analysis in a supportive and responsive learning environment.
- enable students to understand and use the concepts, approaches and methods of politics and international relations and develop an understanding of their contested nature and the problematic character of inquiry in the discipline.
- develop students’ capacities to think critically about political and international events, ideas and institutions.
- encourage students to relate the academic study of politics and international relations to questions of public concern.
- provide a curriculum supported by scholarship, staff development and a research culture that promotes breadth and depth of intellectual enquiry and debate.
- assist students to develop cognitive and transferable skills relevant to their vocational and personal development.
- provide students with the statistical and analytical tools to independently and successfully conduct advanced quantitative research.
- help students make persuasive arguments using quantitative research, and to critically assess the arguments made by others in the course of social life.
- help students link theoretical knowledge with empirical enquiry, so that they understand how to conduct and critique social research in the real world.
- produce graduates with analytical and knowledge based skills relevant to employment in the professions, academia, public sector and private sector.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the nature and significance of politics as a human activity.
- the concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics and international relations to the analysis of political ideas, institutions, practices and issues in the global arena, relative to the historical and contemporary context.
- how to evaluate different interpretations of world political events and issues.
- how to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of differing political systems; the nature and distribution of power in them; the social, economic, historical and cultural contexts within which they operate; and the relationship between them.
- the political significance of multiple polities coexisting and of political boundary drawing and transforming practices.
- how to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the origins, evolution and contemporary dynamics of the international system and the challenges to it.
- the strengths and weaknesses of statistical techniques applied to the study of social and political issues.
- qualitative and quantitative methods and their application to the analysis of complex political problems.
- how to identify principal sources of information and data relevant to Politics and International Relations.
Intellectual skills
You develop the following intellectual skills:
- gathering, organising and deploying evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and some primary sources.
- identifying, investigating, analysing, formulating and advocating solutions to problems.
- constructing a reasoned argument, synthesising relevant information and exercising critical judgement
- reflecting on your own learning and seek and make use of constructive feedback from peers and staff to enhance your performance and personal skills.
- managing your own learning self-critically.
- recognising the importance of explicit referencing and the ethical requirements of study which requires critical and reflective use of information and communications technology in the learning process.
- quantitative analytical methods: including advanced methods in handling, analysing and presenting statistical data across relevant disciplines.
Subject-specific skills
On graduating in this programme students will be able to:
- demonstrate a familiarity and engage critically with the nature and significance of politics and international relations, including definitions of the boundaries of the political; the contested nature of knowledge and understanding; approaches to the study of politics and international relations; a range of key concepts, theories and methods employed in the study of politics and international relations; and the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches.
- engage critically with politics (including international politics) and political phenomena, including the normative and positive foundations of political ideas; the vocabulary of political debate; the structure and operation of different (international) political systems; the social, economic, historical and cultural contexts of political behaviour; and the factors accounting for political change.
- apply different concepts, theories and methods to the analysis of political ideas, actors, institutions and behaviour.
- examine and evaluate different interpretations of political issues and events.
- handle and interpret quantitative evidence in differing intellectual contexts.
- construct arguments within politics and international relations using quantitative empirical evidence.
Transferable skills
Graduates in this programme will be able to:
- communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing.
- use communication and information technology for the retrieval and presentation of information, including, where appropriate, statistical or numerical information.
- work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organization and time-management.
- collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
- critically analyse and disseminate information.
- utilise inter-cultural skills/global awareness.
- use advanced statistical methods for analysing and presenting statistical data in diverse real-world settings.
- use IT technology and software to word process, store, retrieve and analyse quantitative data and conduct various forms of computer based analyses.
Careers
In an increasingly competitive job market, graduates with quantitative skills are in high demand by all employers from across the public, private and third sectors. Our politics and international relations graduates have been extremely successful in finding employment in a wide range of areas including local and national government; analysis in the public and voluntary sectors; human resource management and advice services; education and research; as well as continuing on to further graduate study.
The University of Kent as a whole is committed to enhancing the employability of all our students, in order to enable them to compete and flourish in a competitive, fast-moving and knowledge-based economy. Kent’s Q-Step Centre's new quantitative research minor programmes, take this concern further than other degrees through its inclusion of work experience during your degree as well as through modules where you apply your newly gained skills to real-life issues.
With the BA Politics and International Relations you will gain and develop advanced quantitative research skills through modules that offer specialist training in cutting-edge techniques as well as training in how to understand, explain and critique data in diverse real-world settings.
These quantitative skills are combined with all the attributes associated with a Kent Social Sciences degree; verbal and written communication, social awareness, organisation and teamwork skills – giving graduates a clear advantage in the job market.
The ability to understand and apply various methods of analysing, concluding and presenting data is essential to any social scientist and the skills are just as crucial in business and journalism as they are in education or the police.
Placements
You will be provided with multiple opportunities to apply your new found skills in professional settings through placements and applied research modules which will equip you to work in a wide range of careers such as business analysis, charity fundraising, journalism, marketing and advising government on policy implications and will help place you in an excellent position for graduate employment.
We have links to placements across many sectors, including government (national and local), think tanks and charities, cultural organisations and the private sector and you are encouraged to gain experience in more than one sector.
Some important reasons to consider taking a placement year include:
- gaining valuable experience - research shows that over 70% of employers prefer students with work experience
- exploring career possibilities and making potentially valuable contacts
- improving your CV
- greatly increasing the possibility of being offered a graduate job with your placement company
- putting the Quantitative and employability skills you have into practice and having the chance to develop them further.
Job prospects
Across the four main Q-Step schools, there is a high percentage of students in work or further study within 6 months of graduation - with students earning typical salaries of up to £25,000 within six months of graduating:
- Politics and International Relations – 83%
- Sociology - 95%
- Social Policy - 90%
- Criminology Joint Honours - 94%
- Business – 87%
- Politics and International Relations – 83%
- Law – 80%
As well as the vast range of support you will receive from the Q-Step centre to enhance your employability, the University of Kent has an award-winning Careers and Employability Service (CES) which offers a range of information, advice and guidance services free-of-charge to all students. These services encompass many aspects of career development and planning and provide the opportunity for students to realise their vocational potential.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB |
| Access to HE Diploma | The School is committed to widening participation and has a long and successful tradition of admitting mature students. We welcome applications from students on accredited Access courses. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The University will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF; OCR) on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 points at HL |
International students
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advise about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2017/18 tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | ||
| Part-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
UK/EU fee paying students
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
In accordance with changes announced by the UK Government, we are increasing our 2017/18 regulated full-time tuition fees for new and returning UK/EU fee paying undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses will also rise from £4,500 to £4,625. This was subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. This fee will ensure the continued provision of high-quality education.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
University funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
The Government has confirmed that EU students applying for university places in the 2017 to 2018 academic year will still have access to student funding support for the duration of their course.
Scholarships
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either Mathematics or a Modern Foreign Language. Please review the eligibility criteria.