Bachelor of Science (Hons) in International Relations and Sociology

at Aston University United Kingdom

Discover how to undertake security valuation and portfolio management by studying equity, debt and derivative markets in domestic and international sectors, and learn about the key techniques used by financial traders.

What will I learn?
The course covers a wide range of stimulating subjects, including the valuation of investments, trading techniques, investment management and corporate finance from a broad as well as an international perspective. You’ll learn key theories to give you thorough grounding in these areas but also develop a practical understanding of how these various concepts and models are applied in real-life business scenarios.

We’ll ensure you have a clear understanding of the fundamentals relating to investments and what you should be looking for when making investment decisions. We explore equity, debt and derivative markets in domestic and international sectors. You’ll undertake security valuation and financial distress exercises and we explain various other techniques used by financial traders.

What sets this programme apart from others, is our strong focus on the practical application of technical skills in a trading or corporate financial setting.

Study business alongside international relations to learn more about contemporary issues in global politics, with an integrated placement year to give your career prospects a real boost.

What you’ll learn
As a business student at Aston, you’ll study the theories, principles, and underlying concepts of management and develop a strong understanding of business models and processes. You’ll examine how strategic decision-making within organizations takes place, and develop the ability to recognize and analyze the economic, technical, financial, social, and organizational parameters within which modern managers make decisions, providing you with a solid starting point for your future career.

On the international relations strand of the course, you’ll get an introduction to the international state system and to the structure and purpose of international organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO), and NATO. You will develop a knowledge and understanding of the nature between states and also of the roles played by international institutions, other intergovernmental organizations, multinational corporations, and NGOs.

Important strengths of the course include its focus on key contemporary issues in international relations and policy, such as security and the globalization of the international political economy. It is strongly geared towards increasing your employability, therefore designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills relevant to careers involving international partnerships in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

If you want to build an exciting career in engineering management, this could be the course for you.

Engineers and engineering skills are in very high demand across a range of sectors around the world. Our Engineering Management masters course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to develop an exciting career in advanced technology.

We aim to equip you with the specialist strategic and operational knowledge you’ll need to become a future leader. We also develop your understanding of sustainability and environmental issues, important skills for any senior leader.

Our team has close links with businesses across the region and internationally, making Aston a great place to learn and develop the skills you’ll need.

What you’ll learn

You’ll gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and applied perspectives of engineering management and leadership. You'll also have the opportunity to develop your areas of interest through a range of specialist modules and completion of a major project.

You’ll undertake real-life projects throughout your course with modules taught using industry-related case studies and current research in the field. We're uniquely positioned, in the heart of UK engineering and manufacturing, to be able to welcome guest speakers from leading companies to share their experiences with you. Field trips to regional businesses will give you a real insight into industry.

You’ll undertake and apply marketing analyses using appropriate marketing theories and techniques, whilst gaining knowledge and an understanding of the concepts, principles, and application of theories relating to leadership within organizations.

The MSc Marketing and Leadership will develop your understanding and application of core theories in Marketing. You will learn how to undertake and apply marketing analyses using appropriate marketing theories and techniques, which will allow you to make appropriate strategic and operational marketing decisions.

The course will also develop your knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories relating to leadership within organizations. It will teach you how to apply the strategic role that leadership can make within a wider organizational context.

This course aims to provide a program of study that meets your needs if you are a local, national or international student, enabling you to learn by the exchange of experience as well as formal academic study. It is designed for recent graduates and those already in employment.

Study the BSc (Hons) International Relations and Sociology degree course at Aston University to get a fascinating insight into the political and sociological challenges facing our society in the 21st century, giving you a great springboard for your future career.

What you’ll learn
On this programme, you’ll explore the major political and social issues faced by governments across the world. You will develop a knowledge and understanding of the international state system, the structure and purpose of international organisations and the roles played by international institutions, other intergovernmental organisations, multinational corporations and NGOs. Important strengths of the programme include its focus on key contemporary issues in international relations and policy, such as global economic change and the environment as well as international comparisons of government policies.

On the sociology strand of the course, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of social processes, organisational dynamics and inter-group relationships. We explore the social constraints we encounter in our everyday lives and how they are reinforced by class, race, religion and gender. To understand how these issues perpetuate existing inequalities and unequal life chances, we analyse how politics is intertwined with the profit-making aims pursued by big corporations and how their combined interests dominate our social imaginations. When learning about contemporary topics such as inequality, racism, health, migration, sexuality, identity, education, the media, crime and climate change, you will be taught by experts in these fields.

Sociology will equip you with the knowledge and analytical skills that will enable you to think critically and work independently. This includes how to design a research project, collect empirical data, handle complex datasets (e.g., through applying coding techniques) and, most importantly, develop an advanced analytical mindset. This training will be essential for your final-year dissertation during which you will carry out your own individual research project. This experience will provide you with a skillset that is highly desired in a wide range of industries and areas of work.

Business analytics is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in business today. Our data-rich society demands effective solutions to inform everything from strategic business decisions to policymaking.

What you’ll learn
You’ll study how analytical and computing tools can be applied in a business setting to provide fresh insight and tackle complex problems.

You will experience a balanced approach of teaching, hands-on practice, and training in the relevant tools as you develop the skills to inform and influence decision-making when it matters most. All of this will help you prepare for your professional career as well as identify particular areas of interest.

Study MSc Business Enterprise Development at Aston University and unleash your entrepreneurial potential. 

Develop entrepreneurial competencies and practice through learning by doing, and working with others to create and run a productive organization.

Supported by a select group of team coaches, including academics, successful entrepreneurs, and prestigious Aston alumni, you will gain valuable experiences and practical learning in a supportive environment.

Study our innovative MSc Business Enterprise Development degree at Aston University to give yourself the best start to learning about how to develop, sustain and grow a business. 

If you’re interested in building a career in the supply chain and want a course that offers the potential for a guaranteed placement and job on graduation, you’ll want to consider studying Business and Supply Chain Management at Aston.

Supply chain management is at the heart of every retail, manufacturing, and logistics business. Working with partners and suppliers across the world, supply chain managers work to streamline business operations and increase access to international markets.

Our course combines the essential business theory and practice from Aston Business School with supply chain expertise to prepare you for an exciting career.

Learn the complex yet subtle art of managing people in organisations, and develop skills for analysis and in-depth policy formation as well as the broader discipline of management on our fully accredited Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) course.

This course provides you with a detailed theoretical knowledge of Human Resource Management, whilst at the same time giving you the relevant vocational skills needed for a range of HR roles.

You’ll also benefit by developing a broad range of business skills. This can help you to secure management positions in various areas of business.

All organizations and businesses need people who can problem-solve, plan and manage. With a combination of maths and the management and leadership skills needed in business, you’ll be in high demand.

What you’ll learn
The programme combines economics, finance and business-oriented modules with applied maths modules, preparing you for a high-level career in the private or public sectors.

Our joint honours programme enables you to choose a combination of maths and economics modules in your second and final years and will ensure your learning experience is exciting and relevant for tomorrow’s challenges. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop key employability skills including communication, presentation and report writing. On this course, you spend your third year in a paid professional placement of direct relevance to your studies. This placement will give you invaluable practical experience in a real work environment and further enhance your career prospects. Both Schools have strong links with major employers ranging from the biggest communication companies to the pharmaceutical industry.