University of Reading has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Our BA Politics and International Relations with International Foundation Year course enables you to address some of the contemporary world’s most pressing problems, and explore ethical and moral issues that arise when political authority is exercised. This programme is designed for international students. If you want to study politics at a British university but don’t have the correct qualifications, our four-year BA Politics and International Relations with International Foundation Year programme enables you to undertake an undergraduate politics and international relations degree. You will complete a foundation year (called Year 0) before progressing onto our three-year BA Politics and International Relations degree. This means you can apply for a single four-year visa that covers the whole duration of your studies. The foundation year is designed to equip you with the subject-specific and general study skills needed to cope with the demands of undergraduate study. Our high-quality teaching is geared towards the needs of students from a wide range of educational backgrounds. In the National Student Survey 2023, 94% of our students said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (93.75% of respondents studying in the Department of Politics and International Relations). For more information, please visit the programme page: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/international-foundation-programme-ifp-ug/ba-politics-and-international-relations-ifp-september
Modules
The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2025/26. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change. Modules for this course: Academic Skills International Relations Introduction to Contemporary Democracy Politics of Climate Change Comparative Government and Politics The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available in the summer of 2024. We suggest that you regularly revisit our course page during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme. Check our website for more details about the course structure.
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
- Course code:
- L257
- Institution code:
- R12
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - Not accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted
Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted
Scottish Higher - Not accepted
GCSE/National 4/National 5
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 | We require a minimum score of 5.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
Full list of acceptable English Language Tests
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 | £5760 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5760 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5760 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5760 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £5760 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £5760 | Year 1 |
| EU | £25250 | Year 1 |
| International | £25250 | 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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Reading
Whiteknights House
PO Box 217
Reading
RG6 6AH