International Relations (with a modern language)

BA (Hons) International Relations (with a modern language) gives you the chance to explore how countries, global organisations, and individuals shape the world, all while developing strong communication skills in one of the following languages:

• Modern Standard Arabic

• Mandarin Chinese

• Japanese

• French

• Spanish

This course is the perfect fit if you’re curious about the world, eager to understand global issues, and excited to gain the skills needed to make an impact. You’ll dive into the big questions, asking why the world is the way it is, who has power, and how we can create positive change. You’ll look at how global politics works today and how it could look in the future, examining everything from international conflict and cooperation to global systems, social movements, and the ideas that drive them.

Our passionate team of expert staff will support you as you explore key theories, models and methods used in international relations. Alongside this, you’ll study a modern language of your choice. By combining international relations with a language, you’ll build strong communication skills, deepen your cultural understanding, and open doors to international opportunities.

After your second year, you can head straight into your final year or choose to take on an optional placement year to gain real-world experience, or study‑abroad year to improve your language skills. Whatever you choose, we’ll help you set everything up and provide support to you throughout.

Features and Benefits

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

• 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.