Welcome to Politics and International Relations at Canterbury Christ Church University! We know that going to University is a big step. Remember that you have worked hard to get here, that you deserve to be here, and that there is nothing stopping you from excelling in your studies while, at the same time, enjoying University life. Our commitment to creating intellectually stimulating courses, and an outstanding, inclusive, and democratic learning environment is why our course is consistently ranked among the top courses in the UK in the National Student Survey.

Dr Laura Cashman
Senior Lecturer in Politics and IR, Undergraduate Course Director for Politics and IR

Key dates

Course start date: 16 September 2024

Academic Calendar: Semesters

View key dates for this Academic Calendar for 2024-25 including when teaching starts and finishes and when you break for holidays.  

Welcome and induction

Your Welcome Week is an essential introduction to your course and student life at CCCU, helping you to feel confident and prepared for your studies right from the very start.

It is important to check your Welcome Schedule for all the activities you are required to attend during the week.

We will let you know your group for your Meet your Personal Academic Tutor activity on Tuesday 17th September during the course welcome on Monday 16th September. If you missed this or unsure which group you are in, please go to room Nt07 (Newton) at 12pm on Tuesday.

Your teaching timetable 

UniTimetables provides an overview of all teaching activities on a course. Your individual timetable will be available via MyTimetable and is personalised to show you what modules and groups you are expected to attend.

Your individual student timetable can only be produced once you have engaged with online registration and created your computing account. It is essential you complete these tasks when invited, so that your course team can assign you to your teaching activities and publish your individual timetable.

Find out more about all aspects of timetabling for new students including user guides.

Welcome

As our traditional political certainties crumble, knowledge of international affairs and skills of clear-sighted political analysis are needed more than ever before. Taught by experts in a stimulating and inclusive environment, our cutting-edge course will equip you with an in-depth understanding of foreign policy and diplomacy, security, and global justice. Faced with insecurity and instability around the world, some might find this unnerving, but as students of International Relations, we know you will thrive on finding different ways to analyse these problems and improve our world.

Our teaching has been recognised and awarded for its innovative character, particularly for its emphasis on student-centred learning, support, and assessment. Our cutting-edge course situates the big issues of the day in their historical and philosophical contexts. You’ll explore continuity and change in local, national, and global dimensions of politics, and scrutinise political ideas, structures and approaches that will help you to understand and address our complex, and ever-changing circumstances.

Our team of expert lecturers will help you settle in; guide you through your different modules; help you shape your learning in a manner which dovetails to your interests; and, support you in developing your employability and networking skills, thereby ensuring that your university experience will provide you with a competitive edge in today’s demanding job market.

 

You can discover more about us, our work and all our activities:

 

Getting started

On the social side, the Student Union (CCSU) has a huge range of clubs and societies – all of which have unique social calendars of their own and offer endless opportunities to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. And you can always create your own society and cultivate your own community!

CCSU will be hosting their Welcome Fayre on Wednesday 18th September 2024. Make sure you keep checking the CCSU website for further details and how to get involved.

We understand that you may be nervous about your first few weeks on campus but rest assured - you'll be joining a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity, equality and individuality are part of everything we do.

You can find out more about our welcoming community and making friends.

If you are an International Student joining us then please see our International Student Support pages for further information and guidance.

 

Pre-course reading

We recommend that all students read a good quality newspaper – such as The Guardian, The Independent or The Times – every day to keep informed and up-to-date with global issues and national politics. There are lots of great political podcasts for you to explore too.

If you really would like to read further, why not look at some of our favourite political novels:

  • Birdsong – Sebastian Faulks
  • Darkness at Noon – Arthur Koestler
  • The Dispossessed –Ursula Le Guin
  • The Handmaid's Tale – Margaret Atwood
  • 1984 – George Orwell
  • Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  • Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
  • Jingo - Terry Pratchett

There are also some very interesting non-fiction books available for you to read. It’s up to you to decide how credible their arguments are. As you will discover on our course, we like you to read a wide variety of materials without necessarily endorsing their ideas. The aim is to get you thinking! Here are a few suggestions:

  • Silent Spring - Rachael Carson
  • The Silk Roads: A New History of the World – Peter Frankopan
  • Mother of Invention: Katrine Marcal
  • PostCapitalism: A Guide to Our Future – Paul Mason
  • The Establishment: And how they get away with it – Owen Jones
  • Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Reni Eddo Lodge
  • Nudge: improving decisions about health, wealth and happiness - Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein
  • Feminism Interrupted - Lola Olufemi

 

The first time we will meet is the week commencing 16th September 2024. This is a welcome and induction week, where you will be invited to a number of activities to get you started on our course.

You will also be assigned (and speak with) your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who will provide you with academic and personal support and signpost you to other relevant departments for any additional help you may need throughout your time with us.

By the end of welcome week, you will be a fully-fledged member of the Politics and International Relations community, and on Monday 23rd September 2024, the real work begins, as you start your first 3 modules.

If you have any concerns about starting university, please do not fret, as this is perfectly normal. You will find the Politics and International Relations staff friendly, experienced and readily available to support you with your studies.

We know that choosing to embark on a degree course is a big commitment in time, energy and money and we assure you that we are fully committed to helping you to reach your goal….so enjoy and embrace your future. We will be with you all the way!

 

International student success programme

International students: don't miss out! Make sure you register for our international student success programme which provides practical advice on preparing to live and study in the UK.

Contact details

If you have any questions about the course, please email politics@canterbury.ac.uk and our friendly administrators will help you or direct you to another member of the Politics and IR team.