BA Hons Journalism, Media and Communication & Politics and International Relations at University of Strathclyde

Study with us

• benefit from award-winning international academics engaged in real-world research in various fields including elections and voting, public policy, political parties, comparative political systems, international relations and security studies
• enhance your future employability by learning cutting-edge research skills in the areas of data science and quantitative and qualitative methods from leading scholars in the field
• politics & International Relations students benefit from opportunities for university internships, employer placements, international exchanges and work as paid research assistants for leading academics
• learn the skills and practices of contemporary journalism in a digital, multimedia era
• engage with the media and communication industry in Glasgow and beyond

Why this course?

Today’s media industry expands beyond traditional print and broadcast journalism. It includes professional bloggers and vloggers, freelance writers and editors, podcasters, people working in entertainment TV, radio, or film, creators of video games and interactive apps, promoters of ideas and products, and many others.

The most successful professionals in today’s media are not only highly skilled in reporting, writing, editing and pitching their material, but they are also excellent communicators online and offline, and problem-solvers. They are innovative and entrepreneurial, bold and curious, open-minded and collaborative. These are also some of Strathclyde’s core values, which guide our own teaching, research, and public engagement.

As a politics student, you'll look at the work of governments and their policies and study the behaviour of those who govern - and who they are governing - both at home and abroad. You'll also gain knowledge of domestic and international institutions and issues relating to conflict and cooperation. We cover diverse and relevant issues, such as international terrorism to the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum. Politics graduates can go on to work in a number of areas, with many pursuing academic research careers in the UK, Europe and North America.

Work placement and links with industry

Work placement can be pursued as a credit-bearing option class in fourth year. Students can take a short-term experience placement in a variety of organisations: newsrooms, third-sector organisations, government bodies, various industries, etc.

Our strong relations with the media industry, third sector and government organisations in Glasgow and Scotland allow us to host many external speakers as guest lecturers in various classes or as extracurricular talks and events on campus. We also organise field trips to newsrooms in Glasgow, such as BBC, STV, The Herald, Radio Clyde, etc. and work continuously with students on ideas for future professional events.

Learning & teaching

Politics

In Politics Years 1 to 3, lectures and tutorials are the main form of teaching. In methods classes, lab sessions and practical group work are used. At Honours level, all classes are taught in a small group seminar format.

Tutorials, seminars and student presentations form an essential part of your learning and development. In addition, work on essays, book reviews and other class projects are part of the teaching and learning environment.

At Honours level, students work on a specific project for their Honours dissertation under the personal supervision of a member of the teaching staff.

Journalism, Media & Communication

As a student, our learning and teaching aims to help you:

• develop knowledge and understanding of the professional practices, skills and social contexts of the journalism, creative writing and communication industries
• help you think and work critically and constructively
• become a confident and responsible graduate, equipped to develop your potential throughout your career

Careers

Politics

Politics graduates are employed in the media, management, teaching, sales and advertising, local government, further and higher education and social work. 

Knowledge of the political process is also useful in a business career and the degree provides the normal route of entry into business traineeships. Employers are particularly interested in the high-level written and verbal skills of Politics graduates and their ability to research and analyse information.

Courses in Politics are recognised in the training of Modern Studies teachers, and a Politics degree is also particularly appropriate for entry to the civil service. 

Students who specialise in research methods acquire social science research skills and expertise in the analysis of data, while the study of institutions is an extremely good background for those entering government service or communications, eg journalism, television and advertising. There's also a tradition of Strathclyde Politics graduates entering academic research centres in the UK, Europe and North America.

Journalism, Media & Communication

Journalism and Creative Writing graduates from Strathclyde have won awards for student journalism and have gone on to succeed at national newspapers, the regional press and as published authors. Among graduates’ job titles are press officer, marketing and media officer, freelance journalist, fundraiser and PR assistant.