To our new students,

On behalf of all my colleagues here at the school, let me offer you a very warm welcome to the School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA).

Congratulations on securing a place with us. As new entrants to our degree programmes, you join an elite group of students who have been selected from a very large field of applicants. This is a great achievement. We are looking forward to working with you in the lecture and seminar rooms of the university.

SGIA is a research-intensive department where we use innovative teaching techniques and draw on cutting-edge scholarship and our own world-leading research to provide a first-rate education to our students. Our key areas of teaching range widely across the subfields in Political Science and International Relations including government; political theory and political philosophy; political economy; and international relations. We have specialist expertise in regions of the world such as Europe, the Middle East, and the wider Muslim world, Africa, and America. And we have a friendly and professional administrative office with colleagues who can help with practical everyday questions as you engage in your learning.

The academic and administrative staff of the school wish you every success in your studies and, if you have any problems, you can consult with any appropriate member of staff for help. We will all support you throughout your studies.

I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you personally.

Professor Chris Finlay
Head of School