International Relations and Global Security BA (Hons) top-up

Top-up courses

Flags waving outside the United Nations building

Explore how international policy is shaped and how security strategies are developed, gaining insight that could support career opportunities.

Year of entry

2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

L257

Start date

September 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Do you want to prepare for a career with global impact? In a volatile world, we must understand the threats and opportunities facing the international community. Top up your existing qualification (HND, FdSc/Fda, associate degree) or complete your degree in this exciting field.

Global reach: study the international relations and foreign policies of the US, the Middle East and South Asia.
Contemporary curriculum: explore the ways that organised crime and terrorist organisations undermine state power and destabilise the international community.
Career-focused assessment: build a portfolio of experience through our varied assessment types, from writing policy papers to strategic plans, crisis responses and a range of other industry-relevant materials that should help you to showcase your expertise and real-world readiness.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Simulations and dynamic learning: this course aims to offer a dynamic, hands-on learning experience. Take part in immersive crisis simulations and learn how to design your own and deploy learnings in real-world settings.
Project-based learning: work on complex problems, create tangible solutions and develop essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and communication. Your assessments are project-based and designed to be directly relevant to the kind of work you might do in the future.
Academic community: work closely with our teaching staff who aim to provide a welcoming learning community. Join course directors and their course teams for a regular course hour and have access to student success coaches who will support you throughout your learning journey.²
Employability: develop a strong understanding of global issues and international relations. The knowledge and analytical skills that you build could support aspirations to work with a variety of employers, from media outlets to multinational corporations, the Civil Service to the European Parliament, and from NGOs to think tanks.

What you'll study

Modules

The Spy Game: Intelligence and Surveillance – 30 credits

This module critically examines the global and historical impact of intelligence and surveillance, exploring their evolution and contemporary significance. Engage with the ethical dilemmas of intelligence work, examining issues of privacy, governmental transparency, covert manipulation and extrajudicial operations. This module offers a critical perspective on how intelligence practices shape global security, democracy and state power.

Compulsory

Indispensable Nation: The United States in the 21st Century – 30 credits

How does American society manifest itself in foreign policy? The module will consider debates about race, economy, government, media and security. These will be discussed through historical case studies and contemporary policy debates. Does America want to be great again or simply left alone? This module aims to foster critical perspectives on the US’ role in the contemporary world.

Compulsory

International Relations of the Middle East and South Asia – 30 credits

Through a comparative perspective, this module examines the processes of decolonisation and the challenges of post-colonial nation-building in both regions. It looks at the emergence of religious nationalism and extremism and analyses major regional conflicts such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, the India-Pakistan rivalry and the Kashmir conflict, as well as the involvement of external powers such as the US.

Compulsory

Breaking the State: Criminal Governance and Terrorism – 30 credits

This module examines the complex relationship between organised crime, terrorism and governance, focusing on how these actors exploit state fragility to consolidate power and challenge traditional authority structures. Through case studies and theoretical debates, you will critically engage with contemporary challenges in counterterrorism and organised crime prevention.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

You'll benefit from a global perspective and learn through hands-on activities and real-world examples, using the same approaches professionals use in the field. It’s about creating experiences that allow you to apply knowledge, gain confidence and feel prepared for your future career.

Teaching methods may include:

crisis simulations, such as Model United Nations and historical emulations, allowing you to apply knowledge to simulated real-world settings
interactive lectures that help to make learning relatable, relevant and engaging
immersive workshops and seminars which help to develop key skills
regular ‘course hours’ that will allow you to meet your lecturers and course director and build a sense of community within your subject area.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course incorporates new and innovative assessment methods aligned with current industry standards, providing you with practical, real-world skills designed to advance your professional readiness and career prospects.

Assessment methods may include:

writing exercises such as essays, reports, policy reviews and briefings
live simulations and reflective journals
individual and group presentations
curation and public communication
podcasts, academic posters and other media projects.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

You must possess a minimum of 240 credits (RPL with 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5) obtained in any international relations/politics-related area.

An HND in an international relations/politics-related area with 240 credits awarded will also be considered for entry into the 1-year programme. This is subject to approval from the Course Director.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

To apply for this course, you must have successfully completed Years 1 and 2 of an equivalent course.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall (with no component lower than 5.5)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	TBC per year	Not available
EU	TBC per year with EU Support Bursary TBC per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	TBC per year	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Two people working together with a laptop in front of them

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Throughout the course, you should develop a broad range of highly valued skills to reflect the changing and dynamic needs of industry, including exceptional communication, project planning, critical thinking and analysis, crisis management, problem-solving, and powerful presentation and listening skills.

On successful completion of the course, you should be a globally and interculturally aware graduate ready to make a dynamic difference in the world. You could find yourself working in the following areas:

International organisations, like the EU and UN
Police and intelligence services
Human resources
Local authorities anking and finance
NGO, international security and charities.

How to apply

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

International codes:
CASU026

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International Guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation, tips for travel and guidance on how to apply.

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and membershipsons

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.