International Relations with Foundation Year

If you want to kickstart your career in international relations but aren't yet ready to embark on a full undergraduate degree, this foundation year course is for you.

During this foundation year degree, you'll get all the background knowledge and skills you'll need to move on to our full Bachelor's degree in international relations. So, it's ideal if you don't yet meet the entry requirements, if you've taken a break from study, or if you need a bit of extra support to get uni-ready.

You'll spend a year studying with us on campus, through ICP. You'll get the knowledge and academic skills needed to take on a bachelor's degree, learning how to analyse information, do research, and improve your academic writing.

The skills you'll learn will help you work in teams as well as on your own in culturally diverse workplaces. You'll develop your understanding of new workplaces and environments, and how to adapt to new environments.

After your foundation year, you'll be ready to move onto the first year of BA (Hons) International Relations.

Course highlights

• ICP is based on the University of Portsmouth campus so you'll have access to all facilities, support and societies

• When you finish your foundation year successfully, you get a guaranteed place on BA (Hons) International Relations

• Get used to how lectures, seminars and tutorials work, so you can move onto your degree ready for success

• Learn how to meet the demands of taking on a bachelor's at university

Careers and opportunities
When you study international relations, you'll explore topics like conflict between nations, global migration and populist politics, gaining the skills you'll need to play your part in improving equality and creating positive change.

After this foundation year course, you'll move straight on to our BA (Hons) International Relations degree, which will help you develop the kind of analytical expertise needed for careers within government agencies, NGOs, charities, think tanks and international organisations.

Your understanding of complex international issues will help you stand out to employers in local and national government, security, tech, intelligence, and with global charities and institutions like the UN.

Placement year opportunities
Once you've completed your foundation year and moved on to your full Bachelor's degree, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry.

Taking an optional placement year will give you the experience you need to increase your chances of landing your perfect role. We'll give you all the support you need to find a placement that prepares you for your career, and we'll continue to mentor you throughout your placement.

Previous students have been on placements to organisations such as:

• The Ministry of Defence

• The House of Commons

• National Museum of the Royal Navy

• Otra Cosa (Peru)

• SEK International

• Freedom from Torture

• Victim Support London

• Tools for Self Reliance

Course Modules

The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next.

We design modules that have:

• Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year
• Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams
• Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering

For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit the link to the course page.

https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-international-relations?studyMode=4-years-with-foundation-year&startDate=september-2026#modules