BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with Foundation year

Course summary

This foundation year course is perfect if you want a degree in International Relations but you don’t have the standard entry requirements.

First we prepare you for your degree during the Foundation year, bringing you up to speed with academic skills and a firm grounding in the subject. Then you can go on to do the full undergraduate degree.

Do you want to make sense of the post-truth world, encapsulated by events such as Brexit and the US Election? Are you interested in understanding how global powers interact, both in times of war and peace?

Would you like to know more about international organisations and their capacity to control and shape development around the world? Do you want to learn about political participation and become an active citizen, so that you can contribute to policy-making processes?

If you answer 'Yes' to any of these questions, then our International Relations course is for you.

Global politics has become increasingly turbulent, foundations and systems are being shaken, and relations between nations are being shifted and tested. There is a new demand for experts who are able to understand and work in this new political arena. With our innovative Politics and International Relations course, rated top in London for student satisfaction, we can equip you with the skills and knowledge to play an active role in this new world.

There has never been a more pressing and fascinating time to study and make a career in international politics.

What you'll study and when

We consistently review our courses to ensure we are up-to-date with industry changes and requirements from our graduates. As a result, our modules are subject to change.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree, you can study this course as an ‘extended’ four-year programme. You’ll begin with a foundation year, which will prepare you for a successful transition to the degree course a year later.

By the end of the degree you’ll gain the same qualification as those obtaining direct entry to the course but you’ll take one year longer to complete your studies.

Knowledge, Skills, Practice and the Self: Professional Life: Mental Wealth (Core)
Exploring Communities as Social Scientists (Core)
Researching Changing Communities (Core)
Reimagining the Work of a Social Scientist (Core)
Crime, Justice and Surveillance (Optional)
Reading the Body (Optional)
Psychosocially (Optional)
Introduction to Digital Sociology (Optional)
Globalisation & Society (Optional)

Knowledge, Skills, Practice and the Self: Mental Wealth (Core)
Politics (Core)
Global Political Economy (Core)
The Mess We Are In (And How We Got Here) (Core)
International Relations (Core)
Public Policy (Core)

Global Governance (Core)
Space, Bodies and Power (Core)
Social Entrepreneurship: Mental Wealth (Core)
Great Power Politics (Core)
Research Methods (Core)
Human Mobility and Forced Migration (Optional)
Alternative Approaches to Development (Optional)

Placement Reflections: Mental Wealth (Core)
Gender, Power and Politics (Core)
Applied Project (Core)
European Politics (Core)
African Politics (Optional)
Conflict intervention and Development (Optional)

How you'll be assessed

Depending on the options chosen, the approximate percentages for this course are:

Year 1: Coursework 75% Exam 25%
Year 2: Coursework 75% Exam 25%
Year 3: Coursework 75% Exam 25%

Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL’s assessment and feedback policy.

Course specification Foundation Year Specification