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Politics and Modern Languages

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
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Course options

2027-2028
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Course summary

Delivered jointly by the School of Social Sciences and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, this course has been designed to meet the needs of students who want to keep their options open and develop their subject interests as they progress through the degree, as well as students who want a degree that enables them to specialise.

For students looking for a course that provides breadth of study, politics and modern languages is a good fit because both subject areas are interdisciplinary. Depending on the topic, course units in politics draw from history, philosophy, or law, and language course units may draw from social anthropology, linguistics, and professional skills such as translation or interpretation. The interdisciplinary nature of both subjects is amplified on this course by the range of course unit choices in Years 2 and 4.

The course suits students that want to specialise because students must choose one European or world language, and this choice is reflected in their degree title, for example BA Politics and Modern Languages (Chinese). The course unit choices from politics in Years 2 and 4 enable students to chart a study route that, for example, may focus only on British politics only or international relations.

Politics

Teaching is structured around four core themes – comparative politics, international politics, international political economy and political theory. We will help you to develop strong intellectual foundations within the discipline, while also giving you increasing choice and diversity of subjects and approaches as you progress through your second and fourth years. Course unit choices currently include options to study pressing global political challenges from a UK or global perspective. We offer course units on social justice, post-colonial politics, globalisation, gender and politics, LGBTQ+ politics, environmental politics, security studies, political history, and the politics of a specific nation or global region, for example North America, Latin American China, Europe, or Africa.

Language learning

You will join a pathway for your chosen language:

  • The beginner pathway is for students, who do not have any foundation in the language. Some students are complete beginners. Some students may have undertaken some language learning. For example, a UK student who studied a language in Years 7 and 8 at secondary school.

  • The intermediate pathway is for students, who have a good foundation in the language, and have the equivalent of an A-level in their chosen language.

  • The advanced pathway is for students, who are already fluent and proficient in their chosen language.

French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish have beginner and intermediate pathways. Arabic has a beginner pathway only. Chinese and Russian have beginner, intermediate, and advanced pathways.

The language learning course units are designed to develop your skills of reception (reading and listening), production (speaking and writing), and translation. For some languages, you will be learning different alphabets and scripts – Modern Standard Arabic, Cyrillic (Russian), Mandarin (Chinese), and Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji (Japanese).

Class sizes are small and led by academics, who are a mix of native speakers, and English speakers who are fluent in the language. Using your language throughout the week really accelerates your learning and we encourage you to use it socially. For example, by joining student societies that enable you to meet students from different countries and following social media influencers and media channels for your chosen language.

Modules

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2027/21898/ba-politics-and-modern-languages/

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 20 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
L2R1
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Manchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
L2R1
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
ABB

ABB.

All single language pathways are available for either Beginner or Intermediate (post A Level) learners. Applicants offering an A Level in the target language will normally be required to achieve grade B or above and will be placed on the Intermediate language pathway. The beginners pathway accommodates learners whose previous language experience ranges from complete beginner through to GCSE level study.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.

Typical Contextual Offer: BBC.

All single language pathways are available for either Beginner or Intermediate (post A Level) learners. Applicants offering an A Level in the target language will normally be required to achieve grade B or above and will be placed on the Intermediate language pathway. The beginners pathway accommodates learners whose previous language experience ranges from complete beginner through to GCSE level study.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 34

34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects

Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 6 or B in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and 4 or C in Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.

Scottish Higher

We normally require grades ABBBB in Scottish Highers.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C/ Intermediate 2 grade C/ Standard Grade Credit level grade3).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

Scottish Advanced Higher

We normally require grades ABBBB in Scottish Highers.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C/ Intermediate 2 grade C/ Standard Grade Credit level grade3).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We welcome and recognise the value of the Baccalaureate Wales and accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.

For applicants who have studied the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (pre-2023), this qualification will still be accepted in lieu of one A-level (normally the lowest A-level grade listed).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification, please contact the admissions team.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM

We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades   DDM.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

We consider the National Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades DD plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level at grade   B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with grades D plus additional level 3 qualifications such as an A Level at grade B and EPQ at grade A.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

We consider the National Extended Certificate for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course . Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with grade D plus additional Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels at grades   BB.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
Not accepted

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
DD

We consider the Technical Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional A Level at grade B in a Humanities subject.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
DD

We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional A Level at grade B in a Humanities subject.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
D

We consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two additional A Levels at grades BB one of which must be in a Humanities subject.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 30 Merit: 9

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course.

The specific course requirements are 30 Distinctions and 9 Merits .

T Level

We do not accept T Levels as entry onto this programme. The University does accept T Level qualifications on a number of courses. Please review our T Level information page for a full list.

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme. Please contact us for further information.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7IELTS Academic or IELTS UKVI 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component.

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade B/6, or; IELTS Academic or IELTS UKVI 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component, or; An acceptable equivalent qualification. Please note we accept in-person IELTS tests taken in official IELTS test centres only. You should review our English Language requirements page for a list of acceptable IELTS tests. If you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School/Department for clarification. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We operate contextual admissions meaning many applicants receive an offer and are admitted at least one grade below standard entry requirements. Entry requirements for applicants meeting contextual admissions criteria are listed next to the standard entry requirements on course profiles.

Contextual admissions means we consider your application in context helping us to ensure everyone has a fair chance of getting into Manchester. The data we use is automatically provided on your UCAS form.

Learn more on the University of Manchester website

International entry requirements

The University welcomes applications from appropriately qualified candidates across the world. We value global talent and are proud to receive applications from a wide range of educational systems and national backgrounds.

Because international qualifications vary widely, it is not possible for us to list entry information for every country on this page. If your country is not listed below, please contact us and a member of our team will be happy to assist you: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/contact-international-team/ https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/country-specific-information/

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The tuition fees for 2027 are yet to be confirmed.

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