Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Politics

at University of Stirling United Kingdom

The history of the Scottish nation is dramatic, surprising and an infinite source of inspiration in popular culture. Studying at the University of Stirling will place you right at the heart of that history, with some of the most significant locations in Scotland’s past located right on your doorstep.

On this course, you’ll explore both the myths and the realities of Scottish History, unpicking the events that shaped a nation – from the wars of William Wallace to Scotland’s unprecedented impact on the wider world. You can expect in-depth insight into every aspect of Scottish History - political, social, environmental and economic – all of which will deepen your understanding of present-day Scotland at the same time.

History at the University of Stirling is highly regarded. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, 98% of our research was classed as either world-leading or internationally excellent. That expertise feeds directly back into our teaching, ensuring you gain unique insights into Scottish History from some of its most respected scholars. Every step of the way, your employability will be a top priority - with career-focused modules, field trips and guest lecturers all designed to get you ready for the world of work. Our location in the shadow of so many famous Scottish events helps to distinguish your studies from other Scottish History courses.

Fintech is taking over the banking and finance industry. The way we handle money is changing and the whole industry is taking note - from international banks to backroom start-ups. To do well in fintech, you need to understand technology, finance and business creation.

Our MSc Financial Technology (Fintech) provides a solid foundation in computing technology, financial theory, ethical and regulatory constraints, and business skills. It’s an innovative course designed for those looking to enter a career in the fintech industry.

Fintech includes the technology from big data and analytics, mobile computing and modern financial services. Some of the activity in the sector is being carried out by the large, existing financial institutions, but the majority comes from small companies who are developing disruptive technologies.

The course covers:

• Manipulating data and scripting in Python
• An introduction to blockchain
• Cybersecurity and data protection
• Bank Theory, Operations and Strategy
• An introduction to corporate finance
• Data analytics and machine learning
• Fintech app development
• Investment regulation and ethics
• Heuristics and bias in behavioural finance
• Innovation management and disruptive technology
• Business startup planning
• Professionalism, regulation and ethics in banking

Attracting students from all over the world, this unique course is designed to meet the sport sector’s need for well-qualified managers who can combine management and financial skills with a specialist knowledge of sport and its unique institutional nature. You’ll learn how to apply your insights to the inherent challenges of sport management – from conducting research into event planning, to advising organisations on the impact of policy changes.

The course is taught by leading experts in the subject, whose research helps to ensure you’re being taught about the most up-to-date industry trends. You’ll also have invaluable opportunities to undertake a period of professional practice with a sporting organisation, either virtually or in person, and be involved in organising a sports event with our industry partners. By the time you graduate, you’ll be well equipped to turn your passion for sport into your profession.

Business Analytics focuses on understanding the data generated by individual organisations, and how it can be used to improve business practices.

As a conversion course developed in close partnership with industry, we welcome students from any academic discipline and you will learn to use powerful visual programming and scripting tools, such as Orange, R, Power-BI and Python. These tools will enable you to learn how to deploy statistical analysis, predictive analytics, text analytics and data-mining tools to provide clear actionable solutions for business leaders and influence business strategy.

You will join a multinational network, and benefit from being taught by professionals who have experience of living and teaching all over the world. The course offers an excellent balance between theory and practice using a range of cutting-edge, innovative teaching methods. It also draws on best practice from across the TESOL sector, focusing on the development of advanced professional capabilities and knowledge in language learning and teaching.

As a TESOL student at the University of Stirling, you'll also have an opportunity to apply for a placement at one of our partner universities in  Japan, Germany, Hungary or our partner institution in France, and put your learning into practice

Our Masters in Public Policy allows you to develop the conceptual, analytical and practical skills you’ll need to flourish in the world of policymaking. We prepare you for a career in vocations that make a contribution to the development or delivery of public policy.

This course is extremely flexible, and you can tailor it to fit your particular interests. Core modules on Policy Theory and Practice are combined with optional modules in Social Research and policy-relevant disciplines. If you want to pursue an interest in other policy-relevant disciplines, you can also combine a focus on policy and research with options in areas such as:

• Law
• Economics and behavioural science
• Strategic communications
• International politics

You can also use this degree as a pathway to pursue research to PhD level by taking three modules in Applied Social Research.

As part of the Masters course, you must complete a dissertation. You’ll also have the potential to gain practical experience by pursuing a placement with a relevant organisation (with our help) – allowing you to tailor your research to a policymaker or policy-influencer audience.

This exciting MSc Data Science for Business is the first in Scotland to be developed with inputs from SAS, a global leader in business analytics solutions; leading financial services organisation HSBC and The Data Lab to ensure it meets industry needs.

This MSc course provides you with a deep understanding of the industrial and scientific relevance of advanced analytics and their application in strategic and operational decision-making. The course addresses the acknowledged shortage of business leaders and managers with a detailed working knowledge of data analytics. As a graduate you’ll have a highly sought-after blend of data analytics, business acumen and advanced management skills.

You can develop specialist skills by choosing elective modules from finance, computing science and management. You’ll work on real life consultancy-style projects alongside industry leaders in data analytics. Our extensive network of external organisations across all sectors provides opportunities to build your knowledge, skills and experience for a successful career in business analytics roles.

If you’re contemplating a future in the world of international politics, you’ll need to understand issues of power, alliances, conflict and peace on a global scale.

The University of Stirling will help you build a confident and well-rounded knowledge of all these issues and more – from the decision-making processes of influential organisations, through to the question of how international society is shaped. You’ll be learning in a research-led environment, where the latest political events are dissected by recognised experts. You’ll also benefit from our career-focused approach, which enables you to pick up the practical and analytical skills employers are looking for.

To further enhance your international outlook, you’ll have a chance to spend a semester abroad studying International Politics at one of our partner institutions. You can also combine International Politics with French or Spanish to add another valuable facet to everything you’re leaning.

Guest lecturers give you real insights into the professional applications of an International Politics degree. Our alumni include a former Secretary of State for Defence and Member of Parliament, and there really is no limit to where in the world a degree in International Politics can take you.

Health psychology is the study of psychological and behavioural processes in health, illness, and healthcare. It is concerned with understanding how psychological, behavioural, and cultural factors contribute to physical health and illness.

Health Psychologists promote healthier lifestyles. They try to find ways to encourage people to improve their health and also to improve the healthcare system as a whole. For example, helping people to lose weight or stop smoking, or advising doctors on better ways to communicate with their patients.

You’ll learn to use your knowledge of psychology to promote general wellbeing and understand physical illness. We will teach you the skills needed to help people deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of health and illness, and to support people who are chronically ill.

Our MSc Health Psychology has a strong experiential focus and emphasises the application of health psychology to real world settings. The course includes contributions from healthcare practitioners. You will carry out a brief placement in a healthcare setting, which can include the NHS, third sector (charities) or industry, and you’ll usually arrange this placement yourself with support from the course team. You are encouraged to carry out research in healthcare contexts where possible.

Food from aquatic systems is essential for much of the world’s population. However, with wild catches of seafood declining in many places, aquaculture is playing an increasing role as an alternative source of high-quality, nutritious food - and as an employer. Controlling disease is important to the ongoing success of this industry.

Our Aquatic Pathobiology postgraduate degree gives you a unique opportunity to study the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of aquatic animal diseases in cultured organisms. You’ll study at the Institute of Aquaculture, one of the top institutions in this field. The Institute is internationally recognised for both research and teaching and has more than 70 staff and 80 postgraduate students. This Masters in Aquatic Pathobiology has been taught at the Institute for almost 40 years and is the only postgraduate degree of its kind in the world.

The course combines high-quality, practical work and field visits with class-based training in aquatic disease diagnosis and health management challenges drawn from real situations. You’ll also develop an understanding of the biology, husbandry and environment of farmed aquatic species.

The course can also be seen as preparation for anyone who plans to do a PhD in aquatic animal health or disease.