International Relations and Languages (Chinese, French, German, Spanish)

Overview

Immerse yourself in global history, politics, language and culture. Understand the forces shaping how nations interact. Discover the role international relations plays in tackling the big issues facing society and the planet.

On this BA (Hons) International Relations and Languages degree, you’ll explore topics such as global migration, terrorism, climate change, the rise and fall of major powers, and global protest movements – and learn the skills needed to help enact change, shape opinions, and tackle inequality.

You’ll study a foreign language and spend a year abroad in a country and culture where your chosen language is spoken – and set yourself up for careers in international diplomacy, business, journalism, research and translation.

Course highlights

• Learn from staff at our Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR), whose research impacts government policy

• Use our professional-grade conference interpreting suite and language labs

• Immerse yourself in the cultures of the country where your chosen language is spoken – in the classroom and on your work or study placement abroad in year 3

• Attend events and talks led by people working in NGOs, local, national and international government, and journalism

• Have the opportunity to take part in a Model United Nations as part of your course

• Go on field trips to locations such as the Houses of Parliament

• Create policy briefing papers offering recommendations to practitioners on major recent international issues, such as the Ukraine Crisis, the 'MeToo' movement, the rise of terrorist organisations and the Arab Revolutions, as part of a simulated ‘academic conference’

Careers and opportunities
The language skills you’ll gain can open up a world of opportunities: they’ll help you to work globally, and open up job opportunities across borders and cultures.

With technology continuing to develop at a frantic pace, there’s also an ever-increasing demand for graduates with the knowledge required to ensure new developments are ethical.

The analytical skills you’ll develop are in demand, too – your ability to understand complex issues and find solutions to them means that roles across government agencies, NGOs, charities, think tanks and international organisations are all within your reach.

When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills and cultural experience to work.

What can you do with an International Relations and Languages degree?

Graduates from this degree have gone on to careers in the following sectors:

• local and central government

• embassies

• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

• security services

• international organisations, like the United Nations (UN)

• international charities like Amnesty International or the Red Cross

• policy research and think tanks

• media and international business consultancy

• political risk analysis

• public relations

• voluntary organisations

• management

• banking and financial services

• tourism

What jobs can you do with an International Relations and Languages degree?

Recent graduates have gone on to roles including:

• bilingual consultant

• multilingual project coordinator

• translator

• political researcher, Houses of Parliament

• civil servant, the Cabinet Office

• senior policy advisor, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

• communications officer, House of Commons

• local government administrator, Government of Jersey

• public affairs consultant

• social researcher

• information officer

• conference producer

After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.

Year 1
Core modules:

• History of War and Peace - 20 credits
• Key Themes in International Relations - 20 credits
• Navigating Global Challenges - 20 credits

Optional modules:

• French General Language Grade 3 – 20 credits
• German General Language Grade 3 – 20 credits
• Language Project (French) – 20 credits
• Language Project (German) – 20 credits
• Language Project (Mandarin) – 20 credits
• Language Project (Spanish) – 20 credits
• Mandarin General Language Grade 2 – 20 credits
• Spanish General Language Grade 3 – 20 credits
• Working with Language Today – 20 credits
• French General Language Grade 1&2 – 40 credits
• French Grade 1 and 2 - Language In Use – 20 credits
• German General Language Grade 1&2 – 40 credits
• German Grade 1 and 2 - Language In Use – 20 credits
• Mandarin Grade 1 and 2 - General Language – 20 credits
• Mandarin Grade 1 and 2 - Language In Use – 20 credits
• Spanish General Language Grade 1&2 – 40 credits
• Spanish Grade 1 and 2 - Language In Use – 20 credits

Year 2
Core modules:

• Bending the Truth a Little? Research Methods in Politics, International Relations and Development - 20 credits
• Theorising International Politics - 20 credits

Optional modules:

• French General Language Grade 4 – 20 credits
• German General Language Grade 4 – 20 credits
• Language for Professional Communication – 20 credits
• Spanish General Language Grade 4 – 20 credits
• Analysing Foreign Policy – 20 credits
• Development and Democracy in Latin America – 20 credits
• East Asian States and Societies – 20 credits
• European Politics – 20 credits
• Introduction to Translation – 20 credits
• Modern Foreign Language (Institute-Wide Language Programme) – 20 credits
• French General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
• German General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
• Mandarin General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
• Spanish General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
• A History of US Foreign Policy: From the Great War to 9/11 – 20 credits
• The Geopolitics and Geo-Economics of Africa – 20 credits
• Transitional Justice and Human Rights – 20 credits
• Wildlife Crime: Threats and Response – 20 credits
• French General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits
• German General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits
• Mandarin General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits
• Spanish General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits

Year 3
Study abroad - 120 credits

Year 4
Core modules in this year include:

• Security Challenges in the Twenty-First Century - 20 credits

Optional modules in this year currently include:

• Dissertation (Social Sciences & Humanities) – 40 credits
• Major Project – 40 credits
• French General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
• German General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
• Mandarin General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
• Spanish General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
• Translation Theory and Practice – 20 credits
• Independent Project (Social Sciences & Humanities) – 20 credits
• Global Capitalism: Past, Present and Future – 20 credits
• Interpreting 1 – 20 credits
• NGOs and Social Movements – 20 credits
• Professional Development: Recruiters and Candidates – 20 credits
• Race, Rights and Development: Global Perspectives on Inequality and Social Justice – 20 credits
• Research Project – 20 credits
• France in the World: Global Actor or Global Maverick? – 20 credits
• International Security in the Asia-Pacific – 20 credits
• Interpreting – 20 credits
• Religion and Politics in Global Perspective – 20 credits
• The European Union: A Global Power in the Making? – 20 credits

We regularly update course content based on the latest research, professional practice, and student feedback to ensure it's relevant to your future career or studies. As a result, some content may change and optional modules may not run every year. If a module is unavailable, we'll let you know promptly and help you choose an alternative.

You’ll be assessed through:

• written exams
• practical exams
• coursework: essays, reports, case studies or book reviews
• projects
• oral presentations
• simulations, podcasts and creative videos

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:

Year 1 students: 15% by written exams, 26% by practical exams and 59% by coursework
Year 2 students: 15% by written exams, 3% by practical exams and 82% by coursework
Year 3 students: 100% by coursework
Year 4 students: 7% by written exams, 17% by practical exams and 76% by coursework