Politics and International Relations with Foundation Year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Sheffield Hallam University

Program Overview

If you’re someone who constantly asks “Why do countries act the way they do?” or “How do political decisions shape everyday life?”, this foundation-year degree at Sheffield Hallam gives you the perfect starting point. It blends real-world politics, international events and practical learning to help you understand how power, policy and global relationships shape our world.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year

Your journey begins with modules like Contemporary Issues in Social Science 1 and 2, where you dive into big global questions and learn the academic skills needed for university-level study. It’s a supportive year that helps you build confidence, discover your interests and prepare smoothly for the degree.

Year 1 (Degree Year 1)

This is where the course becomes exciting — you explore issues like climate politics, international power struggles and the evolution of British foreign policy through modules such as Planetary Politics and International Relations, Post-War British Politics & Foreign Policy and Researching Politics, International Relations and Society. You develop a sharper political perspective and learn how to analyse real events happening around you.

Year 2 (Degree Year 2)

You go deeper into global policy and Europe’s political landscape through modules such as Europe, The European Union and Applied Advocacy. You will work on advocacy tasks, briefing papers and interactive assessments that feel very close to real policy work, helping you find your voice as a future political professional.

Focus Areas:

Global politics · international relations · policy-making · social justice · climate & decolonisation

Learning Outcomes:

You’ll learn how to think like a political analyst — questioning systems, evaluating global events, conducting independent research and communicating strong, evidence-based arguments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The program is built around real-world engagement — from policy work and advocacy tasks to connections with NGOs, political groups and government organisations — helping you gain practical skills that employers value.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Politics and International Relations at Sheffield Hallam is known for strong student support and career outcomes, with graduates moving into roles across public policy, NGOs, government and global organisations. (Based on official university employment data and UK subject rankings.)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the best parts of studying Politics and International Relations at Sheffield Hallam is how much time you spend outside the classroom — seeing how real politics works, meeting professionals, and building practical skills that genuinely prepare you for impactful careers. Instead of just reading about global issues, you experience them through trips, projects, simulations and hands-on work with organisations. The university creates a learning environment that feels active, engaging and connected to the real world — something students consistently highlight as a strength.
To help you visualise what hands-on learning looks like, here are some of the experiences you’ll take part in:

A five-day field trip to Brussels, where you explore EU institutions, policy-making, and international diplomacy up close.
An eight-week structured work placement, giving you real experience in professional settings such as local council offices, MPs’ offices, the police service or community organisations.
Model United Nations (MUN) simulations where you step into the shoes of a diplomat — debating, negotiating and developing leadership and communication skills.
Live policy and research projects in partnership with local authorities, community groups and public-sector organisations, giving you work that you can proudly showcase on your CV.
Guest lectures and workshops led by campaigners, elected officials, researchers and NGO professionals who share insights you won’t find in a textbook.
Full access to Sheffield Hallam’s city campus facilities, including its award-winning library, digital learning tools, and specialist support that students repeatedly praise for accessibility and quality.

Progression & Future Opportunities

When you complete this degree, you step into a world where your skills genuinely matter — whether that’s shaping public policy, supporting communities, or influencing international discussions. Many graduates move into roles such as policy analyst, advocacy and campaigns officer, government relations assistant, or research and insights officer, using the practical experience gained during the course to stand out in competitive fields.
Because the programme blends theory with hands-on work, you graduate feeling confident, prepared and ready to make an impact.

To support your future journey, Sheffield Hallam wraps strong career services and industry links around your learning:

Dedicated Careers & Employability Service, offering one-to-one coaching, CV reviews, mock interviews and access to internships and graduate job fairs.
Strong employment outcomes, with around 85 percent of graduates working or in further study within 15 months, and average early-career earnings around £27,000.
Partnerships with local councils, NGOs, advocacy groups and public-sector organisations, giving you real research projects and an eight-week work placement that strengthen your portfolio.
A respected subject ranking, with the Politics department recognised nationally — boosting the long-term credibility of your degree.
Graduate pathways across government, international agencies, policy think-tanks, charities and media, helping you tailor your career towards the areas you care about most.

Further Academic Progression:

If you’d like to continue studying, this degree sets you up perfectly for Master’s programmes in International Relations, Public Policy, Global Governance, Security Studies or Human Rights, allowing you to specialise even further and open doors to research, diplomatic or academic careers.