International Relations and Politics

About this programme

Are you fascinated by how global affairs can shape society? Do you want to have informed opinions on pressing political issues and use them to make sense of our uncertain world? Our International Relations and Politics with a Foundation Year starts with learning essential skills to prepare you for degree-level study. Passing this foundation year leads to our International Relations and Politics BA, when you'll join a vibrant, exciting community that investigates current debates and challenges like: You’ll learn to apply structure and organisation to a planet that’s constantly in flux and you’ll be in a place with others who’re socially, politically, and environmentally conscious and driven. Build essential study skills with an integrated foundation year. Gain academic confidence, improve critical thinking, and strengthen subject knowledge for your degree journey. Oxford is home to modern political discourse, with debates on everything from colonialism and racism to refugee action. Develop good working relationships with your tutors – many of whom are active researchers. The course covers present-day topics in current affairs, from rising nationalism to the climate emergency and tensions in Eastern Europe. It’s not just coursework and essays – assessments take the form of NGO briefings, peace negotiation simulations and reflective diaries. Our university-wide language programme is available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.