International Relations and French

BA (Hons) International Relations and French gives you the chance to understand how countries, international organisations and movements shape the world we live in – all while developing advanced French language and cultural skills.

On the international relations side of your degree, you’ll explore the major ideas, theories and debates that help explain how power works globally. You’ll look at everything from conflict and cooperation between states to the influence of global systems, social movements and non‑state actors. You’ll be taught by knowledgeable, passionate academics and start by building a strong foundation in core theories and methods used in the subject.

Alongside this, you’ll study French language and culture, developing strong communication skills and a deeper understanding of the French‑speaking world – something that can open doors to international careers and experiences.

After your second year, you’ll complete a compulsory period of residence abroad. This could mean studying in a French‑speaking country or taking on a placement to gain real‑world working experience, and we’ll support you throughout the process.

This course is a great choice if you’re curious about global issues, passionate about understanding how the world works, and excited to learn a language that helps you connect on an international level.

Features and Benefits

• Broaden your horizons - You’ll spend your third year studying overseas or on placement, gaining experience of the world.

• Enhance your employability - Internships, volunteering and Rise at Manchester Met allow you to learn career-ready skills beyond the focus of your course.

• Prepare for your career - We coach practical skills for work including communication skills, presentation skills, essay and report writing, summary skills, interview and questionnaire techniques, and digital literacy skills.

• Language expertise - The majority of our academic, research and support staff are native speakers of French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. We also have connections with language groups across Manchester to ensure you can converse in your chosen language.

• International relations expertise - Our staff are research-active and have expertise in areas including critical international relations, digital politics and US foreign policy. The course content is directly informed by these research specialisms of the teaching team.

• Interesting research specialisms - The Film, Languages and Media in Education (FLAME) pioneering research group is dedicated to the development of research and knowledge exchange and is run by academic staff in the school.