Global Politics and Language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese)

If you are seeking to combine the study of global politics with the study of a modern language, then this BA Global Politics and Language is for you. It gives you the chance to focus on the nature of politics at the global level, including international relations, international political economy, and war and security studies. You will also gain competence in a language and acquire advanced knowledge of a range of cultural topics.

Why choose this course?

• We have built a strong reputation over more than five decades for the excellence of our teaching and the international significance of our research in politics and languages.

• You will benefit from the insights and experience of academics who publish in major academic journals and contribute to public debate in the wider arena, including engaging with politicians and others who play a key role in today’s political landscape.

• The diversity of our staff and student body provides a unique learning environment for you to gain insight into evolving regional political and cultural dynamics around the globe.

What you will learn

You will gain the skills necessary for political, sociological and economic analysis in a learning environment that is supportive, radical and exciting. You will also have the opportunity to study cross-cultural modules exploring 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 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.

We offer Korean and Mandarin Chinese from beginner up to intermediate level only.

How you will learn

We value critical thinking, skills development and guided independent learning. Teaching is via lectures, seminars and workshops in small groups. This course is available to study full- or part-time and it has an evening timetable.

Foundation Year

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.

Highlights

• 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.

• 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 and the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies, provide an important platform for this exchange.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this BA Global Politics and Language you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

• a robust understanding of theoretical and policy approaches to international political affairs and dynamics

• competence in another language and understanding of its associated cultures

• critical analytical thinking and independent research skills to convey complex arguments in a concise and effective manner.

Graduates can pursue career paths in academia through a master’s or PhD, or roles in:

• local and national government

• the diplomatic service

• the voluntary sector

• policy work

• journalism.

Course modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.