University of Birmingham
School of Government and Society

The School of Government and Society is one of the leading UK and International Centres for Governance, Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Sociology, Public Management and European studies.

Comprising of four departments, the School is committed to excellent standards of academic and policy work. It engages in a number of high profile international research and policy networks as well as delivering a range of undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research opportunities

The School of Government of Society is comprised of the following departments:

• Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV)
• International Development Department (IDD)
• Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS)
• Centre for Russian and East European Studies (CREES)

Students from all over the world, study undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes in the school showing its global relevance and international reputation.

In terms of our academic interests, we are a diverse school, bringing together leading academic experts from Local Government through to International Relations. This allows us to collaborate closely not only within the School itself, but also with our schools and colleges within the university outside, allowing us to offer a wide-range of relevant academic modules to students and to undertake cross-disciplinary research.

Facilities

The University offers a wide range of facilities including versatile lecture theatres, break out rooms, exhibition space, wireless connection and a plethora of social and sporting facilities and opportunities.

As well as having the benefit of sharing the fantastic facilities that the University of Birmingham has to offer, the School is also fortunate enough to be mainly located in one of the most impressive buildings on the campus. The Muirhead Tower underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in 2009 and contains 21st century facilities that support our work and helps foster and environment of achievement and opportunity.

We are located on the leafy Edgbaston campus which is only 3 miles from the centre of Birmingham and we are the only university in Britain to have our own train station, making access to the city centre easy.

Birmingham itself is a vibrant city, famed for culture and entertainment, which owes much of its success to the size of its ever-thriving international business community. Just 2 hours from London by train, 30 minutes from an international airport and access to the UK's major road and rail networks Birmingham also has excellent transportation links making it an excellent location to live, work and study.

Student profile

"I chose Birmingham because it had everything I wanted out of a university. I came and visited the campus and it was really nice. It was green and had a really great community feel. Also, it was close to the city centre and I wanted to be city-based.

The city is fantastic and it's really vibrant with lots to do and it's constantly changing with loads of redevelopment as well. Also for teaching the course is five-star rated. It had loads of research going on and the course really fitted what I wanted to do.

My university experience was absolutely fantastic. I really enjoyed my course. It was something that I didn't entirely know that much about before I came to university but I found it thoroughly engaging and rewarding.

I also met lots of new people and made loads of new friends, especially lots of international friends as well, which has been really, really exciting. I did so much while I was at Birmingham, getting involved in student societies through the University and working with other students and just enjoying student life in the city.

Lydia Brown
Graduate, Political Science

You can also see more of our alumni profiles on our school website.

Open day

Come to the Postgraduate Open Day at the School of Government and Society on Wednesday 30 March, to find out about the range and quality of taught and research postgraduate degrees available to you.

Learn more

For more information about studying in the School of Government and Society, please visit our website or contact us.

e: govsoc@contacts.bham.ac.uk
t: +44 (0)121 415 1051
w: www.govsoc.bham.ac.uk