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Politics and International Relations with Foundation Year at Sheffield Hallam University - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Sheffield Hallam University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

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4Dec
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Undergraduate
15Feb
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Undergraduate
22Mar
Sheffield Hallam University - undergraduate applicant open day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information This course is moving into one of our new buildings at City campus. Teaching will mainly be delivered at our Collegiate campus until December 2024 while we get our new facilities ready. From January 2025 you will study in brand new facilities at City campus. Course summary

  • Advance your knowledge of politics, international relations and policy making
  • Gain a critical understanding of a wide range of institutions, ideologies and theories
  • Explore today’s issues in social justice, climate change and decolonisation
  • Learn in a global context, travel abroad, visit embassies and interact with policymakers
  • Join an active student community – debating, influencing and publishing articles to drive social change
By studying Politics and International Relations at Sheffield Hallam University, you will develop the skills to formulate and defend complex ideas – and the ability to think clearly and objectively. From local councils to the United Nations, you’ll learn from well-connected, global experts – preparing yourself to make a difference to local, national and international policy. If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation year. How you learn All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. On this course you’ll gain the skills you need for your political career. Your classwork is supplemented by guest speakers from the public, academic, non-governmental and campaign sectors. Not only do they provide different perspectives on real-world issues, they also offer an insight into the knowledge and skills you’ll need to work in their sectors. You’ll be taught by experts who help to build a friendly, interactive community where you can become the best you can possibly be. Our staff are recognised nationally – for example, one of our experts was recently invited to participate in EU research for the UK government. We also have great links locally with media outlets, Sheffield City Council and the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce – all really useful networking opportunities if you’re completing a placement during your studies. You learn through: Lectures and seminars Expert teaching Guest speakers Away days Workshops E-learning Placement opportunities An international field trip Debates **Applied learning Live projects** You’ll undertake live projects as part of your degree, getting a taste of how to use the skills you learn on the course in the real world. For example, you could be undertaking research for the local council to help them with contemporary issues – on a project which also feeds into your assessments and enhances your CV. You can also choose from a range of elective modules such as gender, peace & (in)security, understanding human rights, terrorism and counterterrorism, and international political economy. You’ll undertake a more demanding commissioned project, working in a team to meet the needs of local and international organisations. Field trips During the course, you can join a five-day field trip, at no additional cost, to Brussels to learn first-hand about the EU’s policy-making environment. You can also attend conferences in your first and final years. And there are opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities – with the possibility of funding through the Turing Scheme. Work placements During the second year, there’s the opportunity to undertake an eight-week structured work placement. This gives you real-world experience to prepare you for your future career.

Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances. You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information. Year 1 Compulsory modules Contemporary Issues In Social Science 1 Contemporary Issues In Social Science 2 Year 2 Compulsory modules Planetary Politics And International Relations Post-War British Politics & Foreign Policy Researching Politics, International Relations And Society Social & Political Thought Year 3 Compulsory modules Europe, The European Union And Applied Advocacy Globalisation & Militarism Elective modules Applied Politics - Work Project Divided Societies Society And Nature: The Politics Of The Environment World Politics Of The Usa Year 4 Optional modules Placement Year Final year Compulsory modules Dissertation (Politics And International Relations) Elective modules Gender, Peace And (In)Security International Political Economy Terrorism And Counter-Terrorism  Understanding Human Rights: Disrupting Universalism

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.shu.ac.uk/Courses/Sociology-and-politics/BA-Honours-Politics-and-International-Relations-with-Foundation-Year/Full-time

Additional entry requirements

Other

Please note that this information is subject to change without notice by Sheffield Hallam University.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.

If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

Please click the following link to find out more about English language requirements for this course

https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/sociology-and-politics/ba-honours-politics-and-international-relations-with-foundation-year/full-time

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
EU £17155 Year 1
International £17155 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200. We are currently reviewing our tuition fees for the foundation year stage of this course following the Government announcement of fee changes for some foundation year courses and will confirm fees as soon as possible. If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found at https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/terms-and-conditions-and-student-regulations under student fees regulations. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200. Please refer to our website for up-to-date information on costs and fees: https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate/fees

Sponsorship information

Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.

Politics and International Relations with Foundation Year at Sheffield Hallam University - UCAS