Are you interested in learning how the big issues in international affairs shape our world? Our BA (Hons) International Relations Foundation Entry equips you with analytical skills and real-world knowledge that prepare you for a career in international relations.
This course provides you with an analytical grounding in the discipline of International Relations but with the opportunity to apply this to real-world examples of the interactions that shape all of our lives. The Foundation Entry provides a grounding in academic skills crucial for higher education with a focus on the humanities and social sciences more specifically, preparing you for the rest of your degree specialising in International Relations.
You’ll learn from internationally renowned experts with extensive experience in the international arena, including in the fields of intelligence and security.
You can choose from a range of pathways that allow you to shape your degree in the way that excites you the most. Choose from British Politics, World History, Asia Pacific, Philosophy, Russian, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Spanish or Japanese pathways. The choice is yours.
Why study with us
- Our core IR team includes international renowned experts in a variety of fields with real world experience in intelligence and security.
- You’ll gain invaluable skills through taking part in the model United Nations conference as part of your second year.
- You can shape your degree to your own passion through one of our eleven different pathways: British Politics, World History, Asia Pacific, Philosophy, Russian, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Spanish or Japanese
What you'll do
- The course is ideal for anyone who aspires to work in one of the fields of international relations, learning both the theories and skills required. The Foundation Entry is especially suitable for those who are returning to education after a spell elsewhere or who may come from a non-traditional education route.
- You’ll consider traditional and non-traditional approaches to security, including intelligence analysis, international political economy and the climate crisis, structures of international organisations and much more.
- The pathways, available after completion of the foundation year, allow you to specialise in a particular area or skill that is relevant to International Relations.
Module overview
Year OCompulsory modules
• HUC110: Essential Study Skills for Higher Education
• HUC111: Developing Academic Knowledge
• HUC114: Target Award Extended Study
• HUC115: Learning by Experience
• HUC203: Skills for Humanities
Optional modules
• HUC200: Skills for Languages and Area Studies
• HUC201: Skills for English
• HUC202: Skills for Education
Year 1
Compulsory modules
• IR1500: Introduction to Non- Traditional Security
• IR1501: International Political Economy and the Climate Crisis: How Did We Get Here and Where Do We Go Now?
• P01101: Power, Politics and the State
• PO1109: Global Politics: An introduction to International Relations
Optional modules
• Al1000: The Shaping of the Asia Pacific
•
CL1000: Chinese Language 1
• FR1000: Introduction to French Studies
• GM1006: Introduction to German Studies
• HY1108: Nations and Empires in Asia 1857-1949: China, India, Japan and Thailand 1857-1949
• HY1110: The Making of Britain c.1688- 1815
• HY1111: Colonies to Nation: America, c.1750-1970
Year 2
Compulsory modules
• IR2101: Globalisation: History, Theories and Approaches
• IR2102: Research Methods in International Relations
• IR2103: International Organisations
• IR2104: Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA)
Optional modules
• A12500: Taiwan in the Asia Pacific
• CL2004: Ab Initio Chinese Language and Society
• CL2201: Intermediate Chinese: Literacy
• FR2001: French Language and Society 1
• FR2203: French Language and Society 2
GM2101: German Language and Society 1
• GM2112: German Language and Society 2
• HY2006: Europe in an Age of Extremes, c.1914-2000
• HY2095: Cold War in Asia 1945-1989: History, Society and Conflict
Year 3
Compulsory modules
• IR3000: War and State Formation: Europe, China and America
• IR3001: Ethics, War and Society
• IR3990: International Relations Dissertation
Optional modules
• A13001: International Relations of the Asia Pacific
• CL3201: Chinese Language 3
•
CL3202: Understanding Chinese Economy and Society
• CL3205: Chinese Language Studies
• FR3002: French Language in Context
• FR3061: French Language
• GM3001: German Language
• GM3105: German Language
• GM3115: Contemporary German Literature and Society
• HY3059: African Nationalism and Independence, 1921-1982
• HY3063: The Presidency of John F. Kennedy, 1961-63
Course delivery
This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
Future careers in International Relations
Studying our BA (Hons) in International Relations opens the door to a career in security, diplomacy, the civil service, politics, international business or journalism.
Throughout the course, you’ll be supported by our academic advisers and the University’s Careers Service to undertake further study towards finding a career or postgraduate study.
When you graduate from this course you’ll leave us with the skills and understanding for careers in security, diplomacy, civil service, politics, international business or journalism.
The transferable skills you will learn also make you a valuable asset to a variety of employers beyond the field of education. You could work in information technology, law, marketing, international charitable organisations, culture and diversity roles, youth work, prison officers, or travel consultants advising on cultural diplomacy.
My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.