BSc International Relations with Foundation
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Politics and International Relations, covering international affairs, governance and security. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Policy Analysis, and Design & Creative Practice. An optional placement year is available and students can participate in Model United Nations. A supervised dissertation of 12,000 words is completed in the final year.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
BTEC: 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma PPP-MMP in any subject. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application. Access courses: Pass access course (any subject) plus GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4 or above or equivalent. T level: Pass in any subject. New Irish Highers: Achieve Irish Leaving Certificate with 32 UCAS points. International Baccalaureate: 24-25 overall to include 4 at any subject at Higher Level. English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4, Standard Level = 5. IELTS: If overseas and not studying English within IB – Must have IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements. Other qualifications: Mature students with appropriate work experience are encouraged to apply. For those who do not meet the requirements, please email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk for further details. We encourage any candidate who is unsure about the suitability of their qualifications or experience to contact Admissions in the first instance, who will then liaise with the Admissions Tutor and Programme Lead.
What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 93%
- Academic support: 99%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 94%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 30%
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 5%
- Teaching Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 475 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 14%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 58%
- Wales: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Placement Year
- Academic Foundations
- Independent Project
- Crime and Deviance
- Human Rights and Social Justice
- Democracy and Democratization
- Discovering World Politics
- Comparative Democracies
- International Relations Since 1945
- One Planet? Society and Sustainability
- Theories of International Relations
- Global Governance and the United Nations
- Global Political Economy
- International Security Studies
- Preparing for Dissertation Research
- Politics and International Relations of the Global South
- Stage 2 Professional Development, Placement Preparation and identifying opportunities
- Dissertation in Politics and International Relations
- Work Based Learning in Politics or International Relations
- NATO after the Cold War and Beyond
- The Politics of the United States
- The Politics and International Relations of the Middle East
- The European Union in World Politics
- Mao to Now: the Politics of Modern China
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc International Relations with Foundation at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 15 months, £24,500 after 3 years, £29,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £37,500. The £29,500 median after five years is £4,500 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BSc International Relations with Foundation at University of Plymouth do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc International Relations with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc International Relations with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 99 UCAS points.
Does BSc International Relations with Foundation at University of Plymouth include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc International Relations with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.