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Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Politics with Foundation Year
Birkbeck, University of London
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Politics with Foundation Year course at Birkbeck, University of London.
We're still busy gathering entry requirements for Politics with Foundation Year at Birkbeck, University of London. Look out for more info soon.
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| International | £9,250 per year |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: LL2F
Here's what Birkbeck, University of London says about its Politics with Foundation Year course.
Studying this BA Politics gives you the chance to understand and analyse major political issues that affect the lives of millions in the UK and beyond, such as populism, terrorism, austerity and war. It is ideal if you have a strong interest in any field or geographic region of politics, either at home or abroad. It will also help boost your career aspirations in a wide range of areas, including in journalism, government, think tanks or NGOs.
Why choose this course?
-
On this politics degree, you will be taught by experts specialising in the full range of aspects of political studies, including: public policy, international political economy, peace and conflict, voting behaviour and political theory. Our academics are also specialists in a variety of geographical areas, including Britain, America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
-
We engage with politicians and policy makers who make crucial political decisions, and this understanding and insight feeds into our courses. You will also have access to the Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life which brings together political practitioners, activists and elected politicians to debate the big democratic questions about contemporary British politics.
-
As part of this course, you can decide to take a unique option module on Parliamentary Studies which is taught in conjunction with the House of Commons outreach service.
What you will learn
The BA Politics will help you to understand and analyse decisions about who gets what, when and how. You will also explore how complex issues are rarely the result of a single factor or process. You will study a mix of compulsory and option modules and have the opportunity to follow your interests independently by undertaking a dissertation.
How you will learn
You will have access to pre-recorded online lectures and essential readings, in addition to attending seminars on campus where you will interact with your tutors and peers and will be engaged in a range of group work activities.
This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening.
Foundation Year
If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.
Highlights
-
Birkbeck is a distinguished centre of research and teaching excellence in politics. Our central London location puts us at the heart of the UK's political life and at the centre of academic London.
-
Our courses are designed to encourage independent thinking and hone your argumentative, analytical and critical skills, while our teaching uniquely moves across the boundaries between subjects, encompassing, among others, economics, history and sociology.
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We have built up a strong reputation over more than 50 years for the excellence of our teaching and the international significance of our research in politics.
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Our campus area was once a key location for members of the Bloomsbury Group, so you could be studying in rooms that have hosted distinguished visitors, including T.S. Eliot, George Bernard?Shaw?and Maynard Keynes.
Careers and employability
On successfully graduating from this BA Politics, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
-
learning effectively and taking responsibility for your own learning
-
making oral and written presentations
-
planning and producing written assignments
-
using information technology.
Graduates can pursue career paths in academia, research or roles in:
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local and national government
-
the diplomatic service
-
the voluntary sector
-
policy work
-
journalism.
Source: Birkbeck, University of London
Course details
There are a few options in how you might study Politics with Foundation Year at Birkbeck, University of London.
Check the
2 course options available.
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Department
School of Social Sciences
Location
Main Site | London
Duration
6 Years
Study mode
Part-time
Subjects
• Politics
Start date
October 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
The modules you will study
For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.
Birkbeck, University of London student reviews
Showing 24 reviews
Foundation year student
Although i haven't engaged with the student union alot. Its been a not so bad experience. The student union does its best to solve issues.
1 year ago
Foundation year student
The uni life is amazing. Students are respectful in terms of culture and diversity. Its fun to engage with new people and make new friends. London's a big city with lots of opportunities.
1 year ago
Foundation year student
As its based in London. The cost of living is very high. But i cannot comment on the financial support offered as I did not take it.
1 year ago
Foundation year student
The service has been great. Teachers engage with students alot. Especially in seminars
1 year ago
Foundation year student
Although i expected there to be a gym. But otherwise, the rest of the facilities such as the library or the student union experience has been fantastic.
1 year ago
Foundation year student
Overall, my experience has been extremely great. I only attend university once a week while being a full-time student. Its always fun attending classes and studying in your own time, flexibility is one of the biggest benefits.
1 year ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at Birkbeck, University of London
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from Birkbeck, University of London students who took the Politics with Foundation Year course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
87%
med
Teaching on my course
87%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
81%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
94%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
84%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
90%
med
Learning opportunities
79%
low
Learning opportunities
79%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
80%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
83%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
76%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
78%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
77%
med
Assessment and feedback
78%
low
Assessment and feedback
78%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
84%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
86%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
70%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
68%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
80%
med
Academic support
82%
low
Academic support
82%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
84%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
79%
low
Organisation and management
69%
low
Organisation and management
69%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
70%
low
How well organised is your course?
68%
low
Learning resources
73%
low
Learning resources
73%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
67%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
80%
low
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
75%
low
Student voice
66%
low
Student voice
66%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
53%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
72%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
73%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
55%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
82%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
77%
low
Student information
See who's studying at Birkbeck, University of London. These students are taking Politics with Foundation Year or another course from the same subject area.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| Government and Politics | A* | |||||
| History | A | |||||
| French | A | |||||
| Mathematics | B | |||||
| Psychology | A | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
Facts and figures about Birkbeck, University of London graduates who took Politics with Foundation Year - or another course in the same subject area.
Graduate statistics
60%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
80%
In work, study or other activity
65%
Say it fits with future plans
55%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
15%
Business and public service associate professionals
10%
Administrative occupations
10%
Sales occupations
10%
Secretarial and related occupations
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from Birkbeck, University of London graduates who took Politics with Foundation Year - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£26.6k
Third year after graduation
£30.7k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Politics with Foundation Year.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about Birkbeck, University of London on The Student Room.
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