BA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND MODERN LANGUAGES

In this globalised world, knowledge of a modern language is an increasingly important skill which greatly enhances your career prospects. And this knowledge is particularly relevant to a subject like international relations. On this course you’ll hone your skills in French, Spanish or Japanese to graduate level, including a year spent abroad, while exploring the key issues and events in global politics today. Studying global politics and a language side by side isn’t just useful in terms of your future career: you’ll gain a particular insight into the culture of another country or region, helping you to understand issues of politics and policy from another perspective. 

You’ll spend your third year in a country where your degree language is spoken. You’ll enhance your studies and boost your employability by studying or working abroad. This will be an opportunity to develop intercultural awareness, resourcefulness and flexibility along with your language skills. It’s also a great way to demonstrate your resilience, confidence, and ability to thrive in an international setting to future employers. During this year you’ll deepen your experience of the language and culture by either studying at a local university, taking up a teaching assistantship or going on a suitable work placement. If you are studying Japanese, you will attend one of our partner universities in Japan. 

We have exchange links with many universities in France and Spain, as well as links with universities in Japan, Canada and Latin America. 

About

You’ll be taught by academic staff who are active researchers and experts in their field. In the language part of your degree you’ll develop and expand your ability to read, write, and communicate within your chosen language. In your international relations modules, you’ll learn, critique and debate different understandings of the key actors and issues within the world today. How important are states in a globalised world of transnational corporations, non-governmental organisations, and international organisations, for example? What role does war and military power play within today’s international system? And how do we address shared challenges from terrorism to climate change, migration, or poverty and underdevelopment? 

Within UEA’s International Relations programme, this course is unique in offering you a year (rather than a semester) abroad to perfect your language skills. Students of French and Spanish will be able to choose whether to spend the year abroad at a university or in a work placement, or both. Students of Japanese will study at a partner university in Japan. 

Our BA International Relations and Modern Languages is ranked in the top 25 for Politics by 'The Guardian 2021'.

Placement Year and Study Abroad

Students of French and Spanish will spend your third year abroad at a partner university, or in a work placement or both. Students of Japanese will study at a partner university in Japan. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your knowledge of a particular country and culture.

For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.

After the Course

You’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills for a range of careers. These might include working for different political organisations such as international agencies, parliaments or political parties. You could work with charities, non-government organisations (NGOs), think-tanks, universities or other research organisations, or even with bodies like the civil or diplomatic service or armed forces. You could also go into business, marketing, media, and teaching, as well as translation or interpreting. Alternatively you could continue your studies with a postgraduate degree. 

To help you make the transition from student to working life, our Careers Service organises a range of popular events, such as Working in Politics and Government, Working in Charities and NGOs, and Working in Westminster and Whitehall. Here you’ll have the chance to make valuable contacts and get advice and insights from successful UEA alumni. 

Career destinations

Examples of careers you could enter include: 

• International organisations 

• Political careers, such as working in Parliament 

• Charities and NGOs 

• Think tanks and other research careers 

• Civil service 

• Translation