Politics and International Relations with Foundation Year

Course Overview

This course is offered as a four year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

Politics shapes the world. It impacts every area of our lives – the economy, environment, media and civil society. It has a fascinating history. And it provides a promising career path for your future.

Here at Bucks New University, we’re dedicated to preparing you for the working world. This course covers the theory, but it also gives you a solid understanding of what skills you’ll need for a career in politics and international relations.

• Discover the driving forces behind political, economic and socio-cultural changes across the world
• London, one of the world’s greatest cities, is just a short train ride away
• We’ve made sure the course is focused on your career, with topics relevant to any employer in the sector
• It’s not just lectures – you’ll have plenty of opportunities to visit political institutions, take part in workshops and use our digital resources

More placements, more choices

Bucks is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.

We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.

Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student. To increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.

Course Details

UCAS CODE: L244

You’ll learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, and independent study. Since the course covers such a wide range of topics, no two days will be the same.

The wide world of politics

Politics is constantly evolving. You’ll learn about different political systems and global institutions, and how their past has shaped what the world looks like today.

We’ll also look at the way strategies and policies come about. You’ll need to develop knowledge in a wide range of related areas, including economic development, the environment, media and civil society. With insight from across social sciences and humanities, this course covers a huge spectrum.

Politics in practice

You’ll discover how political institutions use their power, and how social movements and new ideas challenge our sense of identity, community and political participation. Looking at technology, surveillance and communications, we’ll also explore how political imagination is adapting for the future.

To do well in your assessments, you need to focus on real solutions. Using your critical thinking skills, you’ll think about new ways to address national, regional or international political issues. Using archives and other resources, you’ll conduct your own political science research to inform your work.

What are the course entry requirements?

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the 3-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a Level 4 course, will be considered for the 4-year programme including a Foundation Year. If you wish to enquire further, please send your query along with any academic evidence or references to admissions@bucks.ac.uk

Find out more about our General Entry Requirements.

How do I apply?

For application details please visit bucks.ac.uk/applying-to-bucks