Why study this course?
The Politics (including foundation year) BA degree is designed for those who are passionate about the study of politics but don’t hold the necessary entry requirements to enter the standard three-year undergraduate degree or have been out of education for a while.
During your foundation year you’ll gain the necessary skills for academic study, such as essay writing and research, before moving on to a more in-depth study of politics in the following three years. Once you complete your foundation year you’ll be able to specialise in subjects such as international relations, diplomacy or international conflict.
More about this course
The Politics (including foundation year) BA course will introduce you to a wide range of current topics in the field of social sciences.
The academic tutors and mentors will help you progress in your degree and ensure that you gain the key skills for further academic study and employment. Apart from offering exceptional support throughout your studies, our lecturers are also experts in their academic field and their specialist knowledge will enrich your learning and inspire you to broaden your perspective.
During your foundation year, which you’ll share with students from other foundation degree courses, you’ll be introduced to a wide range of current topics and improve your academic skills. This will build the perfect foundation for in-depth study of politics and related disciplines, as you’ll learn how to reflect on the relevance of key theories, acquire key terminology, improve your reading skills and develop academic speaking abilities. If you find yourself needing extra support to succeed in your degree, you’ll be able to take advantage of workshops that focus on specific academic and career skills, such as essay writing and interview techniques.
In Year 0, you’ll also attend a taster module that is more closely related to the subject of politics to give you an idea of what you will be studying in your subsequent three years. If you find yourself wanting to specialise in a different area of social sciences, there will be flexibility to do so.
After completion of the foundation year, you’ll study the same course content and modules as students who have started on the Politics BA three-year course.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 0 modules include:
Critical Thinking (core, 15 credits)
Interventions for Change (core, 15 credits)
Media, Crime and ‘Race’ (core, 15 credits)
Reflecting on Self and Society (core, 15 credits)
Researching Discrimination (core, 15 credits)
Researching Inequality (core, 15 credits)
Social Issues in Context: Text to Essay (core, 15 credits)
Studying London (core, 15 credits)
Year 1 modules include:
Global Politics, Economy and Society (core, 30 credits)
Introduction to International Relations (core, 30 credits)
Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy since 1945 (core, 30 credits)
Politics and Government (core, 30 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
Comparative Politics (core, 15 credits)
Governance and Public Policy (core, 15 credits)
Political Theory (core, 30 credits)
American Foreign Policy (option, 15 credits)
Approaches to International Relations and Foreign Policy (option, 30 credits)
Contemporary US Politics (option, 15 credits)
Empowering London: Working within the Community (option, 15 credits)
Immigrants and Nativists (option, 15 credits)
Media and Culture (option, 15 credits)
Politics of the Middle East (option, 15 credits)
Racism and Ethnicity (option, 30 credits)
The Politics of the European Union (option, 15 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
The Politics of Modern States (core, 30 credits)
Placement 1 Year (alternative core, 30 credits)
Project 1 Semester (alternative core, 15 credits)
Project 1 Year (alternative core, 30 credits)
Action and Identity: Gender and Political Participation (option, 15 credits)
African Politics (option, 15 credits)
Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (option, 30 credits)
Empowering London: Working within the Community (option, 15 credits)
Human Rights and International Conflict (option, 15 credits)
Latin American Politics (option, 15 credits)
Modern British Politics (option, 15 credits)
Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (option, 30 credits)
Where this course can take you
Graduates from international relations and politics related courses have progressed into successful careers, with job titles including Programme Manager, Foreign Affairs Officer and English Language Instructor. The companies and organisations our graduates have gone on to work for include Muslim Aid, the American Cultural and Educational Centre of Bahrain, the UK Department for International Development and the United Nations.
