Fees and key information

Course type
Undergraduate
UCAS code
L252
Entry requirements
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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.

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.

Choose your own speciality

You can explore your own areas of interests, which can be anything from the role of religion, to Middle Eastern politics, to foreign policy analysis, nuclear proliferation or intelligence agencies

Fifth in London for student satisfaction

Our politics courses are ranked fifth in London for overall student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2025

Learn the skills you need to reach your full potential

This four-year degree course includes an intensive foundation year (Year 0) which will provide you with the skills required for your subsequent three years of study

Course details

In addition to the University's standard requirements, you should have:

  • at least one A level (or a minimum of 32 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)
  • English Language GCSE at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent)

If you are a mature student with significant work experience, you are invited to apply for this course on the basis of the knowledge and skills you have developed through your work.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course at London Met. Find out more about applying for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).

English language requirements

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa (previously Tier 4) you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. This course requires you to meet our standard requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

You’ll be assessed through a wide variety of assessments. These may include portfolios of reflective writing, essays, reports, presentations and exams.

Our graduates have progressed into careers within international relations, politics and related disciplines. They now work for companies including Muslim Aid, the American Cultural and Educational Centre of Bahrain, the UK Department for International Development and the United Nations.

The course is also excellent preparation for postgraduate study should you go on to study any of our international relations or politics courses at a higher level.

If you study your undergraduate degree with us, as a graduate of London Met, you'll be entitled to a 20% discount on a postgraduate course if you continue your studies with us.
* exclusions apply

Discover Uni – key statistics about this course

Discover Uni is an official source of information about university and college courses across the UK. The widget below draws data from the corresponding course on the Discover Uni website, which is compiled from national surveys and data collected from universities and colleges. If a course is taught both full-time and part-time, information for each mode of study will be displayed here.

How to apply

If you're a UK applicant wanting to study full-time starting in September, you must apply via UCAS unless otherwise specified. If you're an international applicant wanting to study full-time, you can choose to apply via UCAS or directly to the University.

If you're applying for part-time study, you should apply directly to the University. If you require a Student visa, please be aware that you will not be able to study as a part-time student at undergraduate level.

When to apply

The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) accepts applications for full-time courses starting in September from one year before the start of the course. Our UCAS institution code is L68.

If you will be applying direct to the University you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only be able to consider your application if there are places available on the course.

To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.

Are you from outside the UK? Find out how to apply from your home country

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