Politics BSc (Hons) – 2023 entry

If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.

View the other English language qualifications that we accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

We normally make offers in terms of grades.

If you are a suitable candidate you will be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.

A foundation year can develop your skills and make it easier to get started at university. It is an extra year of study at the start of your course that leads in to a full degree programme.

During a foundation year you’ll learn about your chosen subject, develop your study skills and get acquainted with university life. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree course.

The programme aims to provide you with knowledge of social science concepts, theories, ideas and tools. Furthermore, we want to help you develop your ability to apply this knowledge and the skills you have acquired, to the solution of theoretical and applied problems in the social sciences.

The foundation year will equip you with appropriate tools of analysis to tackle issues and problems associated with social science policy-making in a global context.

By the end of the programme you will be familiar with ethical frameworks and their repercussions for decision-making, as well as a range of generic skills that will be of value in your future career. These skills include:

• Team working
• Networking
• Independent research skills
• Building an empathetic mindset, social awareness and capacity of intelligence-based decision making.

Enhancing employability through a developing awareness of the workplace and associated skills.

Recognition of prior learning

We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. 

If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. 

There are restrictions on RPL a for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information. 

Please contact Admissions on +44 (0)1483 682222 with any queries. 

Our award-winning Professional Training programme offers you the option to spend a career-enhancing year in industry, either in the UK or abroad. We have thousands of placement providers to choose from or you can source your own placement. 

Most placements are paid, and we will support you every step of the way. 

Find out more about Professional Training placements and discover how these have transformed our students’ lives and career choices. 

Politics placements

You can take a placement directly related to politics, explore the skills you have acquired from your studies in other fields, study politics from a different perspective overseas, or a combination of working and studying abroad.

In all, the placement allows you to apply and develop your understanding, as well as discover new approaches to the subject.

The distinguishing feature of our degree course is its focus on application. You’ll be taught how to apply theoretical understandings of politics and international relations to world events and issues.

Additionally, we’ll equip you with the skills necessary to find a placement. The aim of our Professional Training placement is to provide you with first-hand experience of how politics operates in practice. Our students have completed placements in the voluntary sector, government departments, MPs’ offices, international organisations and the private sector.

Current placement providers for the Department of Politics include:

• Amazon
• Asset Management One
• Bank of England
• BMW Group
• British Airways
• British Embassy
• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
• Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
• Eli Lilly UK
• European Chamber of Commerce
• House of Commons
• House of Lords
• Metropolitan Police
• The Walt Disney Company
• Unilever
• Virgin Media.

Applying for placements

Students are generally not placed by the University, however we offer support and guidance throughout the process alongside access to a vacancy portal representing thousands of placement opportunities each year. We also provide support if you wish to source your own placement. 

Find out more about the application process.

Please be aware there may be travel costs incurred when attending interviews and assessment centres at the placement provider’s premises.

Studying at Surry opens up a world of opportunity. We want you to take advantage of our international partnerships, explore the world and expand your skills for the graduate job market.  

Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With more than 200 partnerships, from 50 different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone. 

View our study and work abroad information to find out more and see where you can go. 

Partner institutions

You have the option to spend half or all of your third year on study exchange with one of our partner universities. These include:

• La Trobe University, Australia
• Monash University, Australia
• University of Queensland, Australia
• University of Wollongong, Australia
• Brock University, Canada
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Aarhus Universitet, Denmark
• Kobenhavns Universitet, Denmark
• Institut d'Etudes Poliques d'Aix-En-Provence, France
• Otto-Friedrich-Universitat Bamberg, Germany
• Universitat Mannheim, Germany
• Universita degli Studi di Bologna 'Alma Mater Studiorum', Italy
• Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
• Maastricht University, Netherlands
• Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
• Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
• Singapore Management University
• Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Madrid, Spain
• California State University, US
• George Mason University, US
• North Carolina State University, US
• Texas Tech University, US
• University of Central Florida, US
• University of Cincinnati, US
• University of Maryland, US
• University of North Carolina, US
• University of North Texas, US
• University of Virginia, US
• Virginia Commonwealth University, US.

The advantages of participation in the exchange scheme are numerous. They include exposure to a different culture and the challenges of living in a new country, and the opportunity to learn a new language and experience new teaching practices and approaches to politics and international relations.

You’ll also gain a fresh perspective on your subject matter that can significantly improve your performance in your final year.