Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Geography and Politics with International Year

at Keele University United Kingdom

You will have the opportunity to develop your creative practice skills alongside the analytical study of screen and literary texts. You will explore the core areas of Film Studies, with Keele’s combined emphasis on local and global film cultures, and its focus on the key concepts and issues in film history and theory. Looking across a range of films and filmmaking contexts, you will analyse, discuss and debate the cultural significance and creative possibilities of this powerful medium as well as having the opportunity to develop your screenwriting skills. Alongside this, you will study literature and creative writing in every semester, experimenting with prose and poetry to develop your skills and to become a mature practitioner. You’ll be taught by a team of researchers and practitioners who are active and experts in their fields, with a commitment to lively and innovative teaching methods.

For the Computer Science element on this course, you will learn the underpinning theories of software, hardware and computing techniques – and how to apply them in the real world. You’ll learn to use technology to create new opportunities and to solve a wide range of problems, benefiting every aspect of society from the home to business, government and beyond.

Our teaching is informed by research, and we also reflect what’s happening now in industry. Combined honours students can follow a set of modules providing a specialism in information systems, evolutionary systems, or creative computing, whilst single honours students cover all these strands. There’s a strong emphasis on programming – but don’t worry if you don’t have A Level Mathematics, because the course covers what you need to know. You’ll have access to our own computing labs, based on Microsoft Windows and Linux, plus a wide range of software. 

For the Physics element of the course, you will learn to apply mathematics and computing to formulate and solve a wide range of physical problems. You’ll use mathematics to describe the physical world, and learn to plan and conduct investigations before reporting your results. Your course will be informed by the research interests of your teaching staff and laboratory sessions will enable you to investigate unfamiliar phenomena and acquire specialist techniques, but you’ll also develop invaluable transferable skills such as communication, IT and interpersonal skills. We are committed to supporting you throughout your studies, providing you flexible access to our staff to seek advice or feedback.

You will develop an understanding of how neuroscience can help us to explore and understand medical problems and improve quality of life. Working in diverse ways, you’ll develop independent research skills as you learn to acquire, interpret and analyse data from multiple sources. Your degree will open up exciting careers in sectors as varied as healthcare, scientific research, pharmacology, IT, publishing and more.

Single Honours Neuroscience enables you to focus your studies on an in-depth coverage of a wide range of topics. If you choose to study Neuroscience with another subject (Combined Honours) you will combine the key principles of neuroscience with the ability to choose specific areas of another subject that may interest you.

In this programme, you will be taught in our modern laboratory facilities and have access to equipment and our dedicated Crime Scene House. By studying this course you will develop a detailed understanding of the physiology and anatomy of the major systems of the human body. These concepts will build your understanding of Forensic Science, especially in areas such as forensic identification. The analysis of the unique biological molecules produced by the bodies of both the victim and perpetrator is often the key to solving a crime.

You will learn to use biological and forensic concepts to link a suspect to a scene. You will develop not only experience in forensic investigation, but also knowledge and skills in biological and analytical science. You will be working alongside academic and technical staff, supported by contributions from forensic professionals, in our modern laboratory facilities. 

On this course, you will develop a solid foundation of theory and practical skills, building to cover advanced concepts and contemporary issues in chemistry in later years. You will learn to use chemistry in problem solving and to to present your theories and findings confidently and imaginatively. You may also have the opportunity to tailor your studies to reflect your interests, and learn how to pursue your own research, as well as gain experience with scientific instruments and techniques.

Environmental Science at Keele draws on the expertise of scientists within the disciplines of life sciences, chemical sciences and geosciences. This course aims to develop your scientific understanding and practical skills needed to help tackle many of the world’s major environmental (and societal) problems such as climate change, food security, water resources, pollution and conservation. Alongside studying topical global environmental issues, you will have the opportunity to develop a broad range of practical, laboratory and field-based skills to take into future employment.

In Astrophysics, you will learn to formulate and tackle problems – from below the level of the atomic nucleus to astronomical scales. Astrophysics is active wherever the laws of physics are being tested to the limit – and beyond. Keele will help you to use astronomical observations, mathematical models and computer simulation to develop theories explaining some of the most complex phenomena.

Education at Keele is distinctive because of its strong focus on contemporary issues in education and policy making. Studying Education means considering its relationship to the economy, its historical evolution, its impact on people’s life chances and identities, how education is organised, and how learners learn. Keele aims to introduce you to many of the big questions concerning education and schooling both in the UK and also internationally. Why do we go to school? What should we learn? How should we learn it? What is the main aim of education? How is educational success linked to students' gender, race and socio-economic background?

In looking at these types of 'big' questions and thinking historically, sociologically and philosophically, the course thinks critically about all aspects of education including primary, secondary and university levels. Whether you are intending to teach or just have an interest in education, this course will explore your assumptions about learning and consider your own school experiences. 

Keele takes a broad approach to biology, examining the diversity of life and its evolution from the geological past. You’ll consider topics which may include the complexity of biological processes and mechanisms at molecular, cellular, organismal and ecosystem levels, exploring related philosophical and ethical issues. You’ll develop your practical skillset through activities which may include sampling, recording and analysing data in the field and in our well-equipped labs. You will also explore the behaviour and physiology of whole organisms.

Education at Keele has a strong focus on contemporary issues in education and policy making. Studying education means considering its relationship to the economy, its historical evolution, its impact on people’s life chances and identities, how education is organised, and how learners learn. Keele places education in a very contemporary and even future focused context, exploring the ways in which the world of education is changing, and looking at education from philosophical, historical, psychological, cultural and sociological perspectives. This course examines a wide range of topics which may include the changing ideas about childhood, learning, schooling and education, and factors such as poverty, social policies and digital technologies which impact on these. You will explore a range of educational topics, which could include both present and future developments in education and professional practice, against the wider background of social, cultural and economic change.

As a History and International Relations student you will develop an understanding of the different approaches to both disciplines and the range of theories and methods used. The programme encompasses a broad range of topics, from societies in the very distant past to contemporary migration, conflict, gender, security, and the EU, in order to understand how social and political organisation today comes from that of yesterday.

The History element of the degree will carry you chronologically from the medieval period to the present, and span the globe. You will be introduced to a wide range of history – from political, social, economic and cultural history to the history of gender, health, sexuality and religion. Throughout your first year, you may engage in modules that encourage you to explore topics such as how European rulers tried to strengthen their authority with the increase of military power between the late fifteenth and late seventeenth centuries, or some of the key defining moments in History which may include the 1720 South Sea Bubble in Britain, the 1791 Haitian Revolution or the 1933 Bauhaus movement.  

Additionally, throughout the International Relations element of the programme, you will study more than just current events - you will explore how history, structures, ideas, power, people and politics all come together to shape and direct the world that we live in. International Relations is everywhere around us, from what we see on the nightly news to the films we watch. It is an interdisciplinary subject that draws on an almost inexhaustable list of disciplines, such as history, politics, sociology, cultural studies, regional studies, anthropology, economics, business, philosophy and gender studies. 

On this course, you will be trained from first principles in Computer Science and Mathematics. The two disciplines are blended seamlessly throughout your degree.

You will study fundamental mathematical and statistical techniques alongside modern software development methods. You will have the opportunity to apply your learning immediately using real-world datasets in our cutting-edge computing laboratories.

You will undertake significant development projects, including a final year data science dissertation led by academics with research specialities in artificial intelligence, big data and statistical modelling. You'll explore a range of topics that cover advanced technical topics which may include cloud computing, as well as academic research, industry-focused professional skills and practical problem-solving ensure you are fully equipped for an exciting and intellectually stimulating journey as a Data Scientist.

Astrophysics is active wherever the laws of physics are being tested to the limit – and beyond. Keele will help you to use astronomical observations, mathematical models and computer simulation to develop theories explaining some of the most complex phenomena. You’ll develop your mathematics and computing skills, and apply them to solving a range of problems in the laboratory and beyond (you’ll have access to Keele’s own on-site observatory). We are committed to supporting you throughout your studies, providing you flexible access to our staff to seek advice or feedback.