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School of Government and International Affairs

Combining a long tradition of expertise within politics, political theory, political economy and international relations, we provide an exceptional environment for learning, training and research.
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Welcome to the School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA)

The School of Government and International Affairs is a research-intensive department that uses innovative teaching techniques to ensure we combine our latest world-leading research into the programmes we deliver.

Our key areas of teaching cover the wide range of sub-fields in Political Science and International Relations in which we deliver expertise, including government, political theory, political economy, and international relations with a depth of specialisms in regional expertise, covering multiple regions of the world such as such as Europe, East Asia, the Middle East and the wider Muslim world, Africa, and America. We welcome a wide range of visiting professors who are experts in their field and regularly work with our students.

Find out more about us
50+ countries We currently have students from over 50 countries studying with us
Top 100 Politics department
Top 100 Politics department QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023
7th for Politics in UK
7th for Politics in UK Complete University Guide 2023
1st Politics Department to hold an Athena Swan Bronze award

  

Study with us

  • Undergraduate study

    We offer the opportunity to develop a thorough and deep knowledge of the diverse and fascinating world of Political studies. Our students tackle subjects across this broad discipline, taking modules in political theory, comparative politics, and international relations.

    A group of students discussing their thoughts

  • Postgraduate study

    We pride ourselves on turning students into independent researchers who take responsibility for their own learning. We offer students training that will allow them to develop the skills required to understand, evaluate and produce knowledge about politics and international relations.

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Undergraduate study

We offer the opportunity to develop a thorough and deep knowledge of the diverse and fascinating world of Political studies. Our students tackle subjects across this broad discipline, taking modules in political theory, comparative politics, and international relations.

A group of students discussing their thoughts

Postgraduate study

We pride ourselves on turning students into independent researchers who take responsibility for their own learning. We offer students training that will allow them to develop the skills required to understand, evaluate and produce knowledge about politics and international relations.

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Our Research

Our institutes and research centres promote key research agendas. They are focal points for networking and encouraging a diverse mix of collaborations between leading researchers and courses taking place across the world.
Find out more about our research centres

Explore...

What's new?

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World’s military must accurately report carbon emissions

The world’s military must more accurately report its carbon emissions or measures to cut the greenhouse gas risk becoming “guesswork”.

Global research
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Examining the protests in Iran

Iran has seen weeks of anti-government protests which began following the death of Mahsa Amini in mid-September, days after her arrest for allegedly not complying with the country’s strict rules on head coverings. Professor Anoush Ehteshami, the Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Chair in International Relations, in Durham University’s School of Government and International Affairs, examines the current wave of protests.
Research news
A map showing the word Iran

What long-term economic stagnation means for climate change

Current economic problems are bad for green investment, but according to Dr Jack Copley, Assistant Professor in International Political Economy in our School of Government and International Affairs, the economic obstacles to effective decarbonisation are more deeply entrenched.
Research news
A solar panel array in the sunshine

Somalia: Puntland state port is getting a revamp - this is key to its future

Professor Jutta Bakonyi, in our School of Government and International Affairs, and Dr May Darwich, of the University of Birmingham, say the modernisation of the port is critical for Puntland to ensure it keeps a significant position within the fragmented political landscape of Somalia.
Research news
Aerial view of a cargo ship full of shipping containers

Debunking the myth of the ‘evil people smuggler’

Dr Corey Robinson, in our School of Government and International Affairs, and Yvonne Su, Assistant Professor in the Department of Equity Studies, York University, Canada, examine the narrative of the "evil people smuggler" in the context of the global refugee crisis and people’s attempts to claim asylum.
Research news
A banner saying refugees welcome at a protest march

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - WRITING WORKSHOP Amplifying African Voices in Peacekeeping and Statebuilding

Research news
More news

  • Serbia field trip 2023

    The field trip to Serbia and Bosnia Herzegovina offered a great opportunity to see realities of a post-conflict state and the ways in which nations are trying to come to terms with their pasts. In the Easter holidays of 2023, a small group of us on the DGSi programmes (Defence, Development & Diplomacy and Conflict Prevention & Peacebuilding) spent 10 days exploring Belgrade and Srebrenica: visiting museums, speaking to representatives from NGOs and learning more about the history of the region.
    Research news
    Serbia field trip 2023

  • Islamist Dilemmas Workshop

    Investigating the Dynamics of Political Party Change in North Africa
    Research news

  • QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

    We are ranked 51-100 globally and 9th in the UK in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
    Research news
    Logo for the QS University Rankings

Serbia field trip 2023

The field trip to Serbia and Bosnia Herzegovina offered a great opportunity to see realities of a post-conflict state and the ways in which nations are trying to come to terms with their pasts. In the Easter holidays of 2023, a small group of us on the DGSi programmes (Defence, Development & Diplomacy and Conflict Prevention & Peacebuilding) spent 10 days exploring Belgrade and Srebrenica: visiting museums, speaking to representatives from NGOs and learning more about the history of the region.

This is the card image's alt text.

Islamist Dilemmas Workshop

Investigating the Dynamics of Political Party Change in North Africa

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

We are ranked 51-100 globally and 9th in the UK in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
Logo for the QS University Rankings

Student updates

Find out what our graduates and current students are getting up to on our Durham blog.

Highlights

I lobbied in Parliament: here’s what it’s like…

International Relations graduate, Marina tells us about her experience as a ONE Youth Ambassador.
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Calling all international students – could you be a leader?

Philosophy and Politics student, Lijie explores international leadership and running in an NUS Election.
A group of students standing in the NUS elections

Get in touch

Contact us to find out more about admissions, placements and postgraduate research.

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