Funding
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money Matters
If you have the potential to study at degree level, but you don’t meet the entry requirements, a foundation year can help bridge the gap – laying the groundwork for entry into Year 1.
The units you’ll study are designed to build your confidence and bring you up to speed for the rest of your chosen degree. As well as the Academic Practice units, which help develop your study skills for learning at degree-level, you’ll also study a selection of humanities units. Once you have successfully passed your foundation year you will progress directly onto Year 1 of your linked honours degree.
1 year full-time
All humanities foundation year students study the Academic Practice (1 and 2) units which will help you to develop the academic and study skills required for degree-level work. You will also study units in Key Case Studies in International Relations, Philosophical Responses to the Contemporary World, and Modern Britain Since 1945.
Teaching is delivered via a range of methods including lectures, seminars, tutorials and, where appropriate, practical workshops, PC lab sessions, and online learning.
Successful completion of the foundation year guarantees automatic progression onto Year 1 of the degree you have chosen to study.
You will also have the opportunity to participate in Uniwide Languages, a unit offering you the chance to learn a language alongside your degree. This unit will replace Modern Britain Since 1945 1 and Modern Britain Since 1945 2.
International students who do not meet the IELTS requirement are placed on the foundation year international route which offers additional English language study skills and tutor support through the English for Academic Study unit. This unit will replace Modern Britain Since 1945 1 and Modern Britain Since 1945 2.
Students undertaking English for Academic Study cannot also take Uniwide Languages.
This unit will promote a successful transition to higher education study by developing the skills required for the study of humanities and social science disciplines. Areas covered include independence and initiative, search strategies, reading and writing for academic purposes, critical thinking, and academic integrity, including use of appropriate citation and referencing conventions. The unit also encourages knowledge and familiarity with university regulations and the range of Student Support Services.
Developing on Academic Practice (1), this unit will embed core academic practice and develop research skills associated with humanities and social science disciplines. Students will work in discipline clusters to extend knowledge of specific disciplinary practices especially related to research. Students will select from a range of projects or live briefs negotiated with a supporting and supervising tutor to engage in either curriculum, community or career. Students will deliver a presentation of the project and its outcomes for assessment.
This unit will provide students with an introduction to core concepts of comparative political science. It provides a broad overview of major political processes, public policy, some of institutions and ideologies. The unit will provide students with foundation for further study in political science.
This unit will help students to acquire an understanding of the key contemporary issues in international relations today. The unit will cover two case studies in international relations chosen on the basis of topicality.
This unit evaluates key social, political and economic developments in British history between 1945 to 2000. It assesses the key changes in society following the end of the Second World War. Key topics include: politics and the post-war consensus, youth culture, immigration and race relations and Thatcher and Thatcherism.
This unit evaluates further key social, political and economic developments in British history during the period 1945-2000. It assesses the changing nature of society following the end of the Second World War. Key topics include: the British economy, the Swinging Sixties, the rise of pressure groups and popular campaigns and the Miner's Strike.
This unit will offer an inclusive introduction to key philosophical arguments and ideas that respond to pressing issues of the day. Students will be taught a wide range of philosophical engagements with interdisciplinary issues and apply these ideas to their own understanding of them, growing in their understanding of philosophy and their contemporary world.
This unit will provide a foundation level introduction to Sociology, looking at theories of society and their present-day application. The unit explores some of the core concepts and debates that have shaped Sociology as an academic discipline, and considers the extent to which ‘Sociological Thinking’ can help us to understand a range of pressing social issues that characterise the contemporary world. Key concepts include ‘society’, ‘culture’, ‘modernity’, ‘identity’, ‘class’, ‘power’, ‘sustainability’ and ‘ideology’. The unit is assessed via an individual research project.
The unit focuses on reading, writing, listening and speaking, from within both an academic and general context. The unit is designed for non-native English speakers to prepare them for the academic demands of their degree course, as well as helping them with daily English needs. The unit content is largely based on the development of academic skills, notably writing and speaking, to give you confidence in your written work and oral presentations. General English is also focused on, however, as the means to helps you develop your abilities in English communication needed outside the classroom.
Students will take 2x 15 credit Uniwide language units. Languages available include French, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Modern Standard Arabic or Spanish and at a range of levels, subject to viability. You will be assessed in speaking, listening, reading and writing using an integrated skills approach.
Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
GCE A levels - grades DDD or equivalent
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade MMP
Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 72 UCAS Tariff points
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Pass overall
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade MMP
T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Pass as a condition of offer
IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 24 or minimum 72 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects
Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered.
A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement.
AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.
Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course.
GCSE grade D/3 in English Language or equivalent, e.g. Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English
GCE A levels - grades DDD or equivalent
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade MMP
Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 72 UCAS Tariff points
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Pass overall
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade MMP
T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Pass as a condition of offer
IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 24 or minimum 72 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects
Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered.
A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement.
AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.
Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course.
There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.
Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are still being finalised for all courses. You can find information on 2024/25 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students. All fees stated may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year.
All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, many students choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop up to £100 each year for books and printing. Total optional cost: £600
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersSuccessful completion of the foundation year guarantees automatic progression into Year 1 of your chosen linked degree.
Most BA (Hons) International Relations graduates go straight into employment and/or further study. Previous graduates have gone into a variety of careers in the public sector (housing and education departments in councils, the police, the military), government social research roles, utilities, the financial sector, recruitment, journalism, media, non-governmental organisations, charities, development work, teaching, the law and academic research.
You can apply for this course for 2025/26 entry once UCAS applications open in autumn.
Visit UCAS for further details, including deadlines.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.