Joseph
BA (Hons) International Relations, Politics and Security Studies
Joseph is originally from Ghana and moved to the UK in 2011. He lives in Leeds and has just finished the first year of his BA (Hons) International Relations, Politics and Security Studies degree at Bradford.
This is his story…
Building solid foundations
“I did the Foundation Year at Bradford to ease myself back into education.”
"I started studying for a politics degree in Ghana, but left halfway through when I moved to England in 2011. When I made the decision to return to education in this country, I decided to do the Foundation Year at Bradford to ease myself back into studying and to find out what it’s like studying in the UK.
"It was a good decision, and the Foundation Year gave me the skills I needed to go on to study for my degree."
A well-rounded course
“I chose Bradford as the course offered everything I wanted to study.”
"I spoke to a Ghanian lecturer I know who works at Leeds University to get advice about which university to apply for. He told me not to look at rankings, as all universities in the UK are fantastic. He advised me to instead look at the course content and choose one that offered exactly what I wanted. The International Relations, Politics and Security Studies course at Bradford covered everything I wanted to study, and I liked the fact it covers three specialisms in one degree, which will open up my career options when I graduate."
The University is also diverse and inclusive, which for someone from a minority background like me, was really important.
Breaking barriers at Bradford
“The facilities at Bradford are world-class.”
"I’ve been amazed by the facilities at Bradford.
"I’ve been given a laptop to use for the duration of my course, which has been fantastic, and the library is brilliantly equipped with all the books and resources you could ever need.
"The University is also really accessible, which is great for me as I commute from Leeds, and it being so easy to get to is really useful."
A wide variety
“You cover a wide variety of modules on the course.”
"The course is really varied, so you get to learn a lot about politics and the different economic aspects of the world. In my first year I’ve covered everything from International Relations and Issues in World Politics to Peace and Violence."
Lessons in morality
“I’ve learnt moral lessons too.”
"I’ve enjoyed all of my course so far, particularly the Peace and Violence module, which has taught me a lot about how to deescalate tension effectively. Being retaliatory rarely works in politics, which has been a great moral lesson for me."
Be the change
“I want to work in politics in the future and make real changes.”
"I chose to study politics as I’d started a degree in the subject in Ghana and come from a political background, having worked as an aid to a member of parliament in my home country.
"I want to use politics in a positive way and change how it works in Ghana to help change the lives of people there. In reality, politics in Ghana and much of Africa is very dated and often corrupt."
I want to make a positive change in the world. This degree will give me the foundation I need to go on to achieve my dreams of making a difference in the future.
Advice for those following in my footsteps
"If you’re wanting to study politics at university, opt for Bradford."
"This is because you don’t just learn about politics. You also learn about a whole host of other aspects that are all integrated into the course. I feel like I’m getting three degrees for the price of one due to all the elements covered as part of the degree, and it enables your skillset to grow by the day.
"It’s also a university where diversity is celebrated, so you’ll always feel seen and heard. I’ve loved my time at Bradford so far and would wholeheartedly recommend it to other students."
Interested in International Relations, Politics and Security Studies?
Find out more about our course, entry requirements, and how to apply.