Skip navigation
International Relations and Politics with Foundation Year at University of Derby - UCAS

University of Derby

Degree level: Undergraduate

International Relations and Politics with Foundation Year

Course options

2025 - 2026
Apply

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

Open days

20Jun
University of Derby Open Day
Undergraduate
21Jun
University of Derby Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Our foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you. The highlights

  • A course for people who want to really understand the world we live in and have a burning desire to make things better
  • It's unique because it blends the study of history, politics and journalism to shed light on the root causes of today's societal issues
  • Develop problem-solving skills and a 'can do' attitude that will help you go into a wide range of job roles including in politics, campaigning, think-tanks, NGOs, charities, civil or diplomatic services
This unique BA (Hons) in International Relations and Politics is for people who want to understand and influence what is happening in the world — at either a local, regional, national or international level. It's the perfect time to launch this programme because never in human history has so much rapid change been apparent. The climate crisis, biodiversity and habitat loss, the Covid-19 pandemic, the rise of populism, threats to free speech and democracy around the world, ageing populations: these are just some of the challenges we face as we begin the 2020s. At the same time there are many areas of opportunity. New and sustainable technologies promise a future with clean energy and zero-emissions vehicles, while social media enables people to work together to challenge prevailing orthodoxies, prejudices and governments. There is youth activism and widespread movements for racial and societal justice. If you want to play a role in shaping some of these crucial global issues, this BA (Hons) in International Relations and Politics is a great starting point. The world needs well-informed, culturally aware citizens who can research and analyse the data, problem-solve and negotiate — and this is exactly what you will learn to do on this degree. What you will learn about:
  • Political power, by studying politics and government at all levels, from parish councils to the UN
  • Policy making and influencing: How to bring about meaningful change by researching, analysing and proposing solutions to defined issues in society, the environment, or in government
  • Analysis and reporting: The journalistic approaches used to research, analyse and report on the big issues of the day. You'll also work alongside journalists to produce your own news stories
  • Cultural contexts: The different norms, attitudes, and disadvantage of the past and today and how this affects attitudes and behaviours. You'll learn to to work sensitively and with cultural intelligence.
We will also ensure you leave with a good understanding of the basics of data science, so that you can carefully assess some of the claims made by politicians and organisations in today's statistics-driven society. How you will learn Our teaching methods will be varied, interactive and engaging. They include:
  • Online and face-to-face lectures, sometimes involving guest speakers
  • Seminars that encourage lots of debate and discussion
  • Work experience and real projects
  • Self-directed study
How you are assessed In your final year, you will undertake an Independent Study module which incorporates quantitative data analysis and you'll also need to write a dissertation. Careers When you have completed this degree, you will be well-informed about the major global issues of our time and have a range of skills that employers really value, particularly:
  • negotiation and conflict resolution
  • being able to analyse evidence objectively, including using basic data science techniques
  • communication
  • problem-solving
  • cultural awareness.

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:
L20F
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

English language requirements

IELTS overall score at a minimum of 6.0; with at least IELTS 5.5 in each band (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) or another Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR level B2 or above

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
80%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
100%
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

EU £16900 Year 1
England £5760 Year 1
Northern Ireland £5760 Year 1
Scotland £5760 Year 1
Wales £5760 Year 1
Channel Islands £5760 Year 1
International £16900 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.
International Relations and Politics with Foundation Year at University of Derby - UCAS