Politics with International Relations (with Foundation Year)

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

What does this TEF outcome mean?

Open days

11Jun

University of Winchester - Open Day (2025 entry)

Undergraduate

6Jul

University of Winchester - Open Day (2025 entry)

Undergraduate

28Sep

University of Winchester - Open Day (2025 entry)

Undergraduate

Course summary

Develop your knowledge and analytical skills to understand politics at domestic, regional and international levels

Join a department that has averaged over 95% overall satisfaction since 2013 in National Student Surveys of final-year undergraduate students

Benefit from small numbers in tutorials, which allow for rewarding discussions and debates and closer interaction with our expert staff

Pursue your own interests through a wide range of specialist optional modules, which cover topical issues such as The War on Terror, 21st Century Africa and

The Ethics of the Post‐Crash Economy

How on earth do we make sense of Brexit, Trump and terrorism? Why do countries go to war? And how can I actively participate in policy making?

Our compelling course and enthusiastic team of expert lecturers will help you answer these questions and get to grips with the complexity of domestic, regional and international political life. Over three years, you gain a thorough overview of the key forces and trends driving politics in a wide range of areas such as the environment, human and animal rights, conventional and non-conventional security threats, diplomacy, strategy, China’s rise, the future role of the EU and the US. In today’s world of uncertain alliances and emerging popular movements, there is a new demand for experts who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to analyse global politics. You learn the various theoretical tools that are available to undertake such analyses and apply them to current political affairs. On our distinctive programme you are encouraged to become an independent, critical inquirer and aspirational learner. Each module is designed by members of staff to reflect current debates within their disciplines and is shaped by their areas of research expertise. A Foundation Year is the perfect way to boost your academic skills, build your confidence and develop your wider subject knowledge so you can succeed at Winchester. This course offers an extra year of study at the start (Year 0) which leads onto a full degree programme (Years 1, 2 and 3). A Foundation Year is ideal if you are returning to education after a break; haven’t quite achieved the entry qualifications required; are wanting more support during the transition to studying at university; or are unsure about which subject you wish to pursue. In Year 0, you will study a set of modules from across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences which are designed to develop your academic and practical skills. This broader focus in your first year introduces you to studying at university level and provides you with a better understanding of Politics, International Relations and related subjects. You will experience a variety of teaching methods including lectures, discussion-based seminars and independent study. You will also receive support to boost your academic skills to prepare you for the rest of your time at Winchester. Find out more and hear from our Foundation Year students at winchester.ac.uk/foundation Year 1 (2nd year of study) gives you a solid grounding in global political studies, including an introduction to International Relations, British and American Politics, Human Rights in the Global Political Economy and Principles of Micro- and Macroeconomics. In Year 2 (3rd year of study), you study the institutions and concepts behind US and Russian foreign policies, Strategic and Security Studies, Southern Cultures, Political and Religious Themes in the Near and Middle East and International Law. Your final year features compulsory modules in Diplomatic Studies, China: 21st Century Challenges, Politics of International Courts, Human Rights in World Politics, and Politics, Energy and the Environment. Having built up an understanding of the core research methods and taught modules, you undertake a dissertation on a topic of your choice; this is a significant piece of independent research supported by expert supervision.

How to apply

31Jan

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

Course code:: L24X

Institution code:: W76

Campus name:: Main Site

Campus code:: -

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Foundation
Year 1
Year 2

International applicants

We accept a wide range of non-UK qualifications and use UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre) guidelines to confirm their equivalence.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 48 points

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants are usually required to hold a minimum of 1 x A-level or equivalent qualifications (e.g. 1 x BTEC National Subsidiary Diplomas) and we accept all A-level subjects, including Critical Thinking, General Studies and own-language A-levels. If you are a mature student, your application will be considered on its individual merits and work or other professional experience may be taken into consideration in lieu of other published requirements.

English language requirements

Test	Grade	Additional details
IELTS (Academic)	6	An overall score of 6.0, including 5.5 in writing is required. If you require Tier 4 sponsorship, you will require a minimum of 5.5 in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England	£9250	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£9250	Year 1
Scotland	£9250	Year 1
Wales	£9250	Year 1
Republic of Ireland	£9250	Year 1
Channel Islands	£9250	Year 1
EU	£16700	Year 1
International	£16700	Year 1

Additional fee information

For further information about any additional costs associated with this course please see the individual course page on the University of Winchester website (www.winchester.ac.uk).