International Foundation Programme in Humanities & Social Sciences

The Humanities & Social Sciences pathway equips students with critical thinking, creativity, and analytical skills needed to succeed in their chosen degree programmes. You will receive approximately 20 hours of weekly contact time, including seminars and tutorials, and will be encouraged to participate in pair work, group activities, discussions, presentations, and case studies.

A variety of teaching methods are used to support different learning styles. Alongside lectures, seminars, tutorials, and classroom activities, tutors will encourage you to provide feedback and share your academic interests, which can be integrated into your learning experience.

Alongside Academic English seminars, you will select one module in either International Relations & Politics, Theatre, Film & Television Studies, or Law & Criminology. This module provides the foundation needed to progress to undergraduate study in your chosen academic field.

Students on the Humanities & Social Sciences pathway of our International Foundation Programme can progress onto programmes within the following departments: 

International Relations and Politics 
Law and Criminology 
Theatre, Film, Television and Media 

Students benefit from an intellectually rich environment where they are encouraged to question, explore, and understand the world from multiple perspectives.

Across all three departments, teaching is informed by cutting-edge research, real-world practice and a strong commitment to student development — ensuring that you enter your chosen degree well-prepared, confident and academically ready. 

Each destination department offers distinctive strengths that enrich your learning journey: 

The Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth is the world’s first ever department of its kind, founded in 1919, and continues a century-long legacy of innovation, academic excellence and intellectual curiosity.

• Top 5 in the UK for Student Experience (Good University Guide, 2025)
• Top 10 for Teaching Quality (Good University Guide, 2025).

Our world-leading research is equally impressive — tackling global challenges such as conflict, security, climate change, and migration — and feeds directly into teaching so that students learn from the very latest thinking.  
 
The Department of Theatre, Film & Television Studies offers students transformational creative experiences, a distinctive freedom to experiment, and the inspiration of our extraordinary coastal environment.

• 3rd in the UK for Teaching Quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
• 5th in the UK for Student Satisfaction (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)

The Department of Law & Criminology at Aberystwyth delivers a tailored and research-led education, allowing students to shape their degree through a broad range of modules.

• Top 10 for Student Experience (Good University Guide, 2024)

Our programme also includes hands-on learning through a Family Law Clinic, mooting, advocacy projects, and community initiatives. Backed by world-class research (REF 2021), students graduate well-equipped for legal and policy careers.

Following successful completion of the International Foundation Programme in Humanities & Social Sciences, you can begin your undergraduate studies in:

International Relations and Politics pathway

BA Intelligence and International Security 
BA International Relations

Law and Criminology pathway

LLB Business Law
LLB Law

Theatre, Film, Television & Media pathway

BA Film and Television Studies
BA Film-making 
BA Media and Communication Studies 

All modules are mandatory for progression to undergraduate study.

Applicable to both September and January intakes.

First Semester (September or January)

• Introduction to Listening and Speaking for University
• Introduction to Reading and Writing for University
• Language, Culture and Communication  

Second Semester (January or June)

• Reading, Writing and Critical Thinking for University
• Listening and Speaking for University   
• Language Enhancement for University Study   

Choose one of the following modules in your second semester:

• Introduction to Theatre, Film, Television and Media
• Introduction to International Relations and Politics
• Introduction to Law and Criminology

Qualifications

You must have completed high school to a level that indicates likely success on the Foundation Programme. 

Entry requirements for specific countries can be found on the relevant Country Page. 

Age

You must be at least 17 years old before the course start date. 

English language requirements: Integrated International Foundation Programme

For the Integrated International Foundation Programme + Bachelors degree programme (single CAS + four-year visa), students must have an IELTS score of 5.5 with no component score lower than 5.5. 

Integrated International Foundation applicants can provide an equivalent recognised English qualification. Further information on acceptable English qualifications can be found on the undergraduate English requirements webpage.

English language requirements: Standalone International Foundation Programme

For the standalone International Foundation Programme (separate CAS + one-year visa for the IFC and CAS + three-year visa for the Bachelors degree), students are required to have an IELTS score of 4.5 with no component score lower than 4.0. Students will be given additional English language support if necessary.   

Standalone International Foundation applicants must have IELTS UKVI or another Secure English Language Test such as Trinity College London or Pearsons. 

Find out more about the Standalone International Foundation Programme and the Integrated International Foundation Programme. 

2026 / 27 

Fees:    £19,190

Scholarships:  All self-funded international fee-paying students are eligible for the International Accommodation Award, which gives students the option of free housing in our on-campus Cwrt Mawr halls for the duration of their studies on the International Foundation Programme and with 50% discount to live in Pentre Jane Morgan halls during the first year of study on their degree programme.  

Students from certain countries may be also be eligible for our £2,000 Regional Scholarship.