Politics and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) with Foundation Year

This BA Politics and Language offers you the opportunity to reach a high level of competence in a modern language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean or Spanish) at the same time as allowing you to acquire advanced knowledge of a range of cultural topics and develop an understanding of the nature of politics and government in contemporary societies.

You will compare and contrast the institutions and practices of government in different societies and analyse different theories of politics and government. A number of cross-cultural modules will allow you to explore specific themes across a variety of language-speaking areas.

The languages component of this degree is designed to give you the chance to reach a high level of competence in a modern language of your choice and study the associated culture(s) of that language. You can choose French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish starting at the level of language learning that suits you, whether you are a complete beginner or a native speaker. Korean is offered starting from beginner level. If you decide to take this language, your final degree award will be a ‘with’ degree, so for example BA Politics with Korean, because we currently offer this language up to intermediate level only.

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

This course has an evening timetable with lectures, seminars and classes taking place in the evening.

Highlights

• Birkbeck is a distinguished centre of research and teaching excellence in politics. Our central London location puts us at the heart of the UK's political life and at the centre of academic London. Our courses are designed to encourage independent thinking and hone your argumentative, analytical and critical skills, while our teaching uniquely moves across the boundaries between subjects, encompassing, among others, economics, history and sociology.

• We have built up a strong reputation over more than 50 years for the excellence of our teaching and the international significance of our research in politics.

• You will also be taught by specialists from a centre of teaching and research excellence in languages, a community of scholars with shared interests in interdisciplinary topics and cross-cultural research. Our affiliated research centres, the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies (CFFCS) and the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS), provide an important platform for this exchange.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in local and national government, policy work, research or education. Possible professions include:

• journalist

• charity officer

• diplomatic services operational officer

• civil service fast-streamer.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.