International Relations (including foundation year)

Why study this course?

If you’re passionate about international relations but don’t have the necessary requirements to enter the three-year undergraduate degree, this four-year course is perfect for you. On our International Relations (including foundation year) BA degree, you’ll gain all the academic skills necessary to succeed in undergraduate study, while being introduced to a wide range of current affairs and social sciences topics.

After completion of Year 0, you’ll study the same content and have the same choice of modules as students on the International Relations BA course. You'll graduate with a full undergraduate degree with the same title and award as those who studied the traditional three-year course.

More about this course

Our International Relations (including foundation year) BA course is excellent preparation for academic study and a career within diplomacy, politics or non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Your foundation year will be shared with students from other disciplines, so you’ll get to learn alongside individuals with different academic interests and strengths. You’ll find that the foundation year is a unique opportunity to improve your academic skills including critical thinking, essay writing and research in the context of social sciences.

The foundation year will also provide a broad base for the study of international relations. You’ll explore topics such as media, crime, race, society and identity, all of which affect the realm of national and international politics. These modules are also great in helping you develop vital academic skills, critically analyse material, and improve your writing and research abilities. During this year, you’ll also study a module more related to international relations, which will allow you to get a better understanding of the subjects and themes you’ll study in the subsequent three years.

We pride ourselves on providing excellent academic and pastoral support to our students. Your academic tutor and mentor will ensure that you have all the tools necessary to progress within your degree and settle well into life at university. There will also be opportunities to attend academic skills and career-oriented workshops, if you want to make the most of your study at London Met.

At the end of your foundation year you’ll continue on to undergraduate study, where you’ll find the course will focus on the in-depth study of the field of international relations. During your final years you’ll experience greater flexibility in choosing your modules and specialising in topics that interest you.

After completion of Year 0, you’ll study the same course content as students who have started on the three-year International Relations BA course. Learn more about the final three years of your degree on our International Relations BA course page on our website or UCAS.

Want to experience university life in the world's greatest student city (QS 2025)? Then look no further.

London Metropolitan University is proud to be ranked first in the UK for the difference it makes to students’ lives (Guardian University Guide 2026). Dedicated to preparing graduates for the ever-changing job market, their courses are modern and vocational, with an emphasis on teaching transferrable workplace skills. Whether you're an artist or an engineer, you'll receive career-relevant teaching from industry experts, with clear paths for progression.

You've also got the best of both worlds – a buzzing campus community, and the excitement of life in London. There's always plenty going on at London Met for you to get involved in. You can meet like-minded people at a society, by becoming part of a sports team, or engaging in volunteering.

Register your interest now, to unlock the experience of a lifetime at London Met.