BA (Hons) International Relations with a minor route language

These courses give you the opportunity to study International Relations in combination with a language. You will undertake practical language classes for your minor language, while also developing an understanding of the social and cultural environment in which the language is spoken.

In the study of politics, historical background, socioeconomic indicators and ideological imperatives are analysed and cultural, gender and ethnic identities are examined. You can study UK politics, political thought and International Relations theory, European politics, international politics and security, 'issue' politics (for example, environmentalism or war and peace) and comparative politics.

Proficiency in modern languages will give you the competitive edge in the global jobs market. In both the private and public sectors, there is demand for professionals with strong language skills who can work in culturally diverse environments.

International Relations is concerned with the system through which decisions are made in the international arena with international institutions (like the World Trade Organization and the World Bank) and the relationship between these institutions and nation states. It is also about non-governmental institutions (NGOs): charities, pressure groups like Greenpeace and social movements like the World Social Forum. It is concerned with the study of power relations in the international arena amongst individuals, within social groups and amongst nation states. We offer you a variety of options to enable you to study units that suit you and in your final year, you will specialise and undertake a dissertation under one-to-one supervision.

MINOR LANGUAGE:
All of our minor language options focus on helping you to become an effective communicator. We will enable you to acquire linguistic skills and develop cultural awareness. We will also work with you to gain transferable skills such as translating and interpreting.

Modern Standard Arabic:

Arabic is spoken as the first language for over 300 million people; it is the official language and co-official language of 27 countries and it is one of the six official languages of the UN. The demand for studying Arabic has recently increased due to increased economic opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa. 

Admissions at Beginners level only. Applicants with other levels should contact the University directly to discuss options.

Mandarin Chinese:

Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world and China is the world's second largest economy. Speaking Mandarin will allow you to communicate with millions of people around the world. In business, people who speak Mandarin have a distinct advantage with the Chinese market, as it is easier to develop all important relationships when you can speak the language.

Admissions at Beginners level only. 

German:

In Europe, more people speak German as their native language than any other language. It is the official language of Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg, as well as Germany. As the world's fourth largest economy, and the forerunner in Europe, Germany produces more than a quarter of the European Union's gross domestic product.

Admissions at Beginners level only. 

Italian:

Italy is the eighth richest economy in the world, a world leader in areas as diverse as tourism, architecture, fashion and football. Italy's cultural and economic significance within the European Union and beyond generates an increasing demand for competent and informed speakers of Italian. It is spoken by one in five Europeans, and by sizeable Italian communities in North and South America, and North Africa. 

Admissions at Beginners level only. 

Japanese:

Japanese is spoken by about 125 million people and the number of UK graduates who can communicate in Japanese and write Japanese scripts is limited, so learning the language will give you a competitive edge. Employment in UK enterprises owned by Japanese companies is steadily growing, with more than 120,000 in the UK in 2013 according to the UK Statistics Authority. 

Admissions at Beginners level only. 

French:

More than 75 million people speak French as their native language. French is also one of the official languages in Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland and is spoken widely across the North African countries of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. All told, there are more than 220 million French speakers worldwide, with French being one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

Admission from Beginners to GCSE, or A level with a grade B or above. 

Spanish:

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages around the world both in terms of the numbers of speakers, and the global geographical spread. As a global language, Spanish, with more than 400 million speakers, is second only to Mandarin in terms of the number of the world's population who speak it as a first language. It has official status in 21 countries spanning Europe, Africa, North, Central and South America. As the economies of South and Central America continue to surge forward, and the political reach of these nations continues to grow and develop, there has never been a more important time to consider studying Spanish.

Admission from Beginners to GCSE, or A level with a grade B or above.