Politics with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

**Course summary**- Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start.- Learn about the latest thinking in analysing and explaining political trends and issues.- Gain a critical understanding of political institutions, ideologies and theories.- Gain work experience with well-known organisations.- Visit Brussels for a chance to meet policy makers and politicians.Develop the skills to formulate and defend complex ideas, the ability to think clearly and objectively, and be given the platform to debate convincingly. By focusing on the application of political ideas in the real world, this degree supports you in a variety of career paths.**How you learn**This foundation year is an entry route if you do not meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Politics course, if you are not yet ready for degree-level study, or if you are returning to study and would like to spend time getting up to speed with the demands of learning before embarking on a degree.You will share the foundation year with other Social Science (Sociology and Applied Social Science), Psychology, Law, Criminology and Policing foundation students, before moving on to your degree.At each level of study teaching is structured to provide you with the skills necessary to succeed. Classwork is supplemented by guest speakers drawn from the public, academic, non-governmental and campaign sectors which provide not only different perspectives on real world issues but also an insight into the knowledge and skills required to work in these sectors.You learn through- lectures- seminars- away days- study trip- workshops- e-learning- placement opportunities- guest lecturers- extracurricular activities such as publishing and editing Politics Review Magazine, and joining the Model UN Simulation Society, the Politics Society, and the Debating SocietyThere are opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus+ programme (subject to the UK’s continued participation in the Erasmus programme following the Brexit transition period).**Applied learning**Following completion of the foundation year, and in progressing onto the BA Politics degree, you will have a range of opportunities available to you to apply your learning. **Work placements**You will have the opportunity to take a semester long work placement in your third year. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. Examples include assisting members of parliament, working for NGOs, campaign groups or the council.**Live projects**If you choose a non-placement route, you will receive employer engagement through our sector leading Venture Matrix enterprise, where employers invite you to help them address the issues their organisations need to resolve.**Field trips**A five-day visit to the European Union headquarters in Brussels will give you the opportunity to meet policy makers, politicians, and various representatives of non-governmental organisations. This field trip is provided at no extra cost.**Language option**Improve your employability and degree of internationalisation by studying a language. Throughout the course you have the option to study a language of your choice for credit, whether you are a beginner or at a more advanced level. Languages available include French, Spanish, German, Italian, Catalan, Portuguese, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese.