International Relations with a Foundation Year, BA (Hons)

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Course Overview

As technology, transport, and a complex international economy make our world smaller, the value of peaceful and cooperative relationships between nations is increasingly important.

International relations are a vital aspect of citizenship in a global society and this four-year BA International Relations degree with a Foundation Year is one of the most important degree programmes we offer.

The Foundation Year gives you an exciting introduction to Higher Education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful on your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after Further Education or are returning to education after a gap.

This interesting area of study explores globalization and global institutions, development and human rights, International and regional politics, peace and conflict, political economy, security studies and strategic studies and you will learn how power, institutions and laws affect our day-to-day lives.

Why International Relations with a Foundation Year at Swansea?

Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Study in one of the select departments in the UK to offer the British Parliamentary Studies modules where you will be taught by our specialist academic staff and members of parliament. You will also visit the House of Commons in London.
  • Understand the patterns of behaviour between nations, their leaders and corporations, focusing on the interactions and inter-relationships between philosophical, political and economic thought.

Look behind the headlines to the key players in world politics, exploring important ideas and how can we solve conflict or achieve cooperation.

International Relations at Swansea is ranked:

  • 4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
  • Top 15 in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2025)
  • International Relations at Swansea University is ranked in the Top 250 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Your International Relations with a Foundation Year Experience

During your Foundation Year, you will learn the key skills you’ll need to make your degree a success while developing knowledge of your subject area and how it relates to the humanities and social sciences.

You will start the International Relations degree in your second year, offering you a wide-range of specialist modules that allow you to tailor your future career goals while developing your individual interests.

  • You will be taught by innovative experts who have strong national and international links.
  • You will have the competitive option in semester one (available for 20 students) of undertaking an internship module with the National Assembly for Wales, working closely with an AM for one day a week.
  • You will be able to spend a semester abroad in Hong Kong, Singapore or the USA during the second year of your study to enhance your student experience and career prospects.
  • In your final year you have the invaluable opportunity to opt for a place on the Welsh Assembly Placement Scheme.

International Relations with a Foundation Year Employment Opportunities

Our graduates are employed all around the world and enter careers including:

  • Education
  • Government and politics
  • Humanitarian organisations
  • Business
  • Media and public relations
  • Law and public services

Our students have also gained employment working for organisations such as:

  • Westminster Forum Projects
  • Labour Party
  • Price Waterhouse Coopers

Modules

In your Foundation Year, you will take a selection of modules that will provide you with key study skills, subject knowledge, and awareness of the importance of the humanities and social sciences.

You will then progress to the degree itself, where your first year will include an introduction to international relations, politics and the people; war and peace in the nuclear age; politics and society; ethics, justice and society.

In the following two years you will cover a wide range of interesting and diverse areas including globalisation; fundamental issues in moral and political philosophy; society and culture; media, gender and sexuality; politics and international development; religion, science and superstition; aftermaths of war; arctic security and parliamentary studies. You will also explore the CIA and covert action; visions of democracy and contemporary security.

You will complete an independent research-based dissertation in your final year, developing the knowledge and skills to become a research-effective practitioner in the field of international relations.

International Relations with a Foundation Year, BA (Hons)