International Relations BSc (Hons) with foundation year and placement

What makes International Relations at Surrey stand out is how much emphasis is placed on learning through real experiences. You won’t just sit in lectures – you’ll practice the skills you need for a global career. From day one, you’ll work with digital learning platforms, take part in debates and group projects, and gradually build towards a professional training year where you’ll apply everything in the workplace. Along the way, you’ll benefit from world-class facilities, guest lectures, and opportunities to connect with leading research centres on campus.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Professional Training Placement – Spend up to a year working in a government body, NGO, think tank, or even abroad. This placement gives you hands-on experience, helps you build a professional network, and makes your CV stand out.

• International Placement Opportunities – If you’d like to gain global experience, Surrey supports students in arranging placements overseas, with full guidance to help you organise it.

• SurreyLearn Digital Hub – The university’s virtual learning platform brings together your lectures, assignments, and collaborative tools. You’ll use it for research projects, group work, and interactive learning, making you confident with the kind of digital tools used in today’s workplaces.

• Guest Lectures and Masterclasses – Learn directly from practitioners and visiting experts who bring real-world case studies into the classroom, showing you how international relations theories apply to current global events.

• Centre for International Intervention – Engage with cutting-edge research into global ethics, humanitarianism, and security through Surrey’s dedicated research hub. It’s a unique chance to see how academic work connects with policy and practice.

• Library and Digital Resources – Surrey’s library gives you 24/7 access to thousands of journals, political databases, and archives — the same resources used by professionals and researchers in the field.

Graduating from Surrey’s International Relations BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year and Placement opens the door to exciting careers in global politics, diplomacy, international organisations, and policy-focused roles. Whether you see yourself as a policy analyst, a diplomat, an NGO coordinator, or working in international business, the programme gives you the skills and real-world experience to succeed. Surrey ensures you leave not just with knowledge, but with the confidence and connections to start your career strong:

• Careers and Employability Support – Surrey’s Employability & Careers team offers one-on-one guidance, CV and interview workshops, employer events, and tailored support for international students. 

• Strong Employment Outcomes – 92% of Politics & International Relations graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months, with typical starting salaries around £28,000, rising to approximately £32,000 within a few years. 

• Industry Connections and Placements – Professional Training placements let you gain hands-on experience with NGOs, governmental bodies, international organisations, and other professional environments. Guest lectures and networking events connect you directly with practitioners in the field.

• Graduate Skills and Accreditation Value – The programme focuses on digital literacy, research skills, global awareness, and resilience, equipping you with the qualities employers value most in policy and international roles.

• Career Pathways – Graduates typically enter government, public policy, diplomacy, international NGOs, or international business, with many choosing further study to enhance their expertise.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, you could pursue a Master’s in International Relations, Diplomacy, Global Security, Development Studies, or International Public Policy — at Surrey or elsewhere. Some students also move into research-led postgraduate degrees like an MRes, MPhil, or PhD, preparing for careers in academia, think tanks, or policy research.