I hope that you have an informative, interesting, thought-provoking, and enjoyable day in Durham – the first, hopefully, of many.
My name is Chris Finlay, and I have the privilege of being the current Head of School at a very exciting time for SGIA as we embark on a period of sustained growth in both our staff and student numbers, putting us at the forefront of a major investment programme being carried out across the University.
In SGIA we have invested heavily in our staff, with academic staff numbers rising from 30 to nearly 50 in the last 4 years. This investment demonstrates our commitment to our students and will allow us to increase the amount of students we can accept into our single honours degree programmes. Our academic staff are world leaders in research and teaching in Politics and International Relations. Our undergraduate programmes reflect this excellence. Our single honours programmes have recently been reviewed to ensure that they continue to deliver a demanding, stimulating, and life-changing educational experience that takes you to the forefront of research in Politics and International Relations in one of the world’s top departments. As a student in SGIA, we will provide you with opportunities to develop the skills and experience to succeed in your future study or work.
Durham University and SGIA have an enviable track-record of producing graduates who win places in the best postgraduate programmes and with the most demanding employers. Our unique blend of academic training coupled with the wider student experience provided by the partnerships between academic units like SGIA and the colleges is central to that success. Join us, and together we will challenge and support you to develop the knowledge and skills to help you succeed in your life goals.
Sincerely yours,
UG Post-Application Brochure 2025-26
UG Insights Webinar
At the School of Government and International Affairs 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.
Saturday 14th March and Saturday 25th April 2026
*All items on the schedule will be subject to change.
MHL453
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our offer-holders. During your visit to the department today, you will have the opportunity to meet our Head of School, a range of outstanding research-active academics, members of our School Office team, and—most importantly—some of our current students. As part of the visit, you will attend both a lecture and a seminar, giving you a realistic snapshot of how teaching and learning work within the department and what studying Politics and International Relations at Durham is like in practice. Throughout the day, we aim to answer as many of your questions as possible, covering both academic study and wider student life. We look forward to welcoming you to our academic taster sessions and giving you time to speak with current students about their experiences of living and studying in Durham.
We would also like to extend a warm welcome to guests accompanying our offer-holders on your visit to Durham today. While guests will not be able to attend the lecture or seminar sessions, they are very welcome to visit the department for refreshments and to meet and speak with members of our departmental staff and students.
If you have any unanswered questions after your visit, please contact us at sgia.education@durham.ac.uk
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