International Year One in International Relations, Leading to Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Politics (Economics) Study Group - Cardiff University International Study Centre, UK

Why choose the International Year One? 

Gain confidence and connections 

Join a supportive learning environment where you’ll study alongside fellow international students. Small class sizes, expert tutors and personalised mentoring help you grow in confidence so you’re ready to thrive at university and beyond. 

Achieve academic excellence with personalised support 

From day one, you’ll benefit from focused academic support, additional contact hours and teaching that’s tailored to your needs. With a curriculum aligned to your chosen degree, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to excel in your second year – all while receiving individual guidance every step of the way. 

Preparation every step of the way 

Your future success starts here. As part of the International Year One, you’ll develop essential academic and career skills, such as critical thinking and teamwork. With dedicated support, you’ll feel confident and prepared to take your next step – and every step after that. 

Who is the programme for?

The programme is designed for international students with a strong academic profile and a good level of English.

What will I study?

You will study a range of modules relating to your chosen degree, giving you broad subject knowledge and transferrable skills for when you graduate and start your career.

International Year One in International Relations

Why study international relations or politics at Cardiff University?

Studying at the School of Politics and International Relations, one of the largest departments in the UK, you will be taught by an internationally renowned team who are experts in political theory, public policy and electoral politics, cyber security, feminism, cold war history, environmental politics, security, intelligence studies and postcolonial politics.

Cardiff has links to the Welsh Government, Westminster, G7, the United Nations and NATO, NGOs, policymakers and journalists.

Professional placements are available on the single honours Politics and International Relations degree programmes.

Leading to: Politics (BSc Econ)

The field of politics allows you to explore how parliaments and governments function and evaluate political ideas such as power, freedom, democracy, conflict, legitimacy or accountability as well as incorporating international relations.

Modules are varied, allowing you to explore how politics works in Britain and further afield as well as investigate how public policy is made. Other strands of work discuss justice, democracy, human rights and international relations; providing you with a broad understanding of politics tailored to your own particular needs.

This degree aims to provide you with an excellent understanding of politics and government while also equipping you with associated intellectual and communications skills that will be of value whether you work in government or in the private or voluntary sectors. Politics graduates find careers in a wide range of fields. A further option is to go on to postgraduate study.