Course description
By bringing together your study of politics and languages and cultures, you’ll deepen your understanding of European culture and world affairs.
You’ll study in one of the top UK departments for research in politics and international relations (ranked 3rd in the Research Excellence Framework 2014). Our teaching is highly innovative, and draws directly on our world-leading research. You’ll take at least three politics modules each year, choosing from a wide range of options across British politics, comparative politics, international relations, political economy, political theory and security studies. In the final year you’ll carry out your own research project, individually supervised by one of our academics.
The flexibility of the modern languages part of the degree means you have the option to study politics with either one or two of these languages: Catalan, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. You can study Italian on this degree but only alongside a second language as well as politics. Luxembourg Studies is available as an option from year two onwards, either on its own or with a second language and politics.
You can take any language from beginner’s level, and you can take French, German, Russian or Spanish post-A Level (or equivalent).
You’ll develop your communication skills in your chosen language or languages to a high level. Optional modules include linguistics, literature, society and politics, history, philosophy and film studies.
We have recommended pathways through the languages and modules to enable you to create combinations that work well together. However, our flexible approach means you are not constrained by those pathways and we’ll help you make the choices that are best for you.
You’ll spend the third year of your course abroad. We have a wide range of destinations on offer, both within Europe and beyond. You can choose to study at a leading university, carry out an approved work placement, or in some cases take part in exciting volunteering opportunities.
This degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities, close to home and further afield. You’ll get extensive training in analytical writing and techniques, as well as other transferable skills. You’ll develop highly valuable language skills, and you’ll gain a sophisticated understanding of the countries where your chosen language or languages are spoken.
The course prepares you for a variety of professions in the UK and abroad, including law, teaching, translating, journalism, broadcasting, accountancy, or working with governments, international organisations or business.
Modules
A selection of modules are available each year – some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course.
Optional politics modules:
- The World’s Wicked Problems
- Introduction to Global Political Economy
- Introduction to Western Political Thought
- Planet Politics
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- British Politics
- Gender and the World
- Political Violence
- Race and Racism in World Politics
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it’s up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we’ll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Entry requirements
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
ABB
typically including a modern foreign language
A Levels + additional qualifications BBB, typically including a modern foreign language + B in the EPQ; BBB, typically including a modern foreign language + A in Core Maths
International Baccalaureate 33, typically with 5 in a Higher Level modern foreign language
BTEC Extended Diploma DDD in a relevant subject + an appropriate modern foreign language qualification
BTEC Diploma DD + B at A Level typically in a modern foreign language
Scottish Highers + 1 Advanced Higher AABBB + B typically in a modern foreign language
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels B + AB, typically including a modern foreign language
Access to HE Diploma Award of Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit
Other requirements
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If you are not studying a modern foreign language, the department will consider other evidence of aptitude for language learning (such as a languages GCSE at grade 6/B or, for non-native speakers of English, an English language qualification)
English language requirements |
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
Fees
£9,250
Home students2022 annual tuition fee
£20,000
Overseas students2022 annual tuition fee
key dates
September start
Applications for places on courses starting the following September (except Medicine and Dentistry) should be submitted to UCAS between:
- 1 September and 25 January to be guaranteed equal consideration with other applicants
- 26 January and 30 June for further consideration, although we may not be able to consider your application if all the places on the course you’ve applied for have been filled
Applications for places on Medicine and Dentistry courses must be submitted between 1 September and 15 October.