Extra-curricular opportunities
There are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in extra-curricular activities in the Department of International politics.
From our celebrated Crisis Games and Parliamentary Placement Scheme to talks and a range of student societies, there will be plenty to keep you occupied during your time in Aberystwyth, and to develop additional skills that will look good on your CV.
There are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in extra-curricular activities in the Department of International Politics, from talks with influential opinion formers or academics to our famous Crisis Games.
Each semester we run events that bring together students and staff to share ideas. These include panel discussions on topical issues, with plenty of time for Q&A, public lectures, and our pizza and quiz nights – which are a lot of fun!
We also run three popular schemes which provide brilliant experiences and strengthen the kinds of skills which are really valuable for the world of work.
Crisis Games
We were the first department in the UK to run crisis simulations which connect classroom learning to the real-world complexities of international politics. These role-play events see students working in teams to solve a fictional international political crisis
Students might represent governments, international organizations, social movements or the media. Recent scenarios have included the Mediterranean refugee crisis, US election insurgency, the Qatar world cup and even (in 2018) a global pandemic! They are held over three days in a local conference venue – and they’re free!
Parliamentary Placement: Westminster and Cardiff
Our prestigious internship programme, the Parliamentary Placement scheme puts you at the heart of political life to experience government in action! Students work with a Member of Parliament in Westminster or an Aelod Seneddol in Cardiff for six weeks at the end of their second year. Students get really involved, researching projects, doing constituency work and sometimes even witness by-elections - or even a leadership crisis! We offer a scholarship of £250 for all successful applicants to help with costs.
Exchanges
We encourage our students to join the University’s exchange programme to see global events from a fresh vantage point. We have links with partner universities in seven European countries and ten countries beyond Europe. All tuition is in English. The experience broadens students’ horizons – and intellect – and really enriches their ideas, as well as being a major asset on the CV.
Student Societies
Students also take the lead in the Department. Some contribute to our student journal Interstate – the oldest in the UK – by writing or editing. We also host the Interpol Society which runs a range of social and academic events, and the Crisis Games and Model UN Society which is very popular! Aberystwyth has a wide range of student societies too, like the Amnesty International Society, and staff and students work together in the Student-led Diversity Working Group.
