BA Modern Languages / International Relations

International Relations today is about understanding and tackling global challenges. As a student on this degree scheme at Aberystwyth University, you will be perfectly placed to gain a deeper understanding of what those challenges are and what opportunities and obstacles shape how we manage them. The Modern Language component of this course will enable you to discover language, culture, literature and art whilst at the same time developing your linguistic competencies in a modern language. This degree scheme provides an ideal combination of intensive language training whilst at the same time exploring the big questions and concepts of our time- such as power, conflict, security democracy, inequality, ethics, rights, justice, gender, development and political participation.

There is a wide range of expertise available within the Department of Modern Languages and this is reflected in the module choices we offer. Students could choose modules on linguistics (both modern and historical); dialectical (the study of different forms of French, past and present); literature; the history of ideas and artistic movements; literary representations, travel literature and current affairs. All students on this course will spend their third year living independently abroad. You could choose to study at University, work as a language assistant or other forms of work placements. The Department of International Politics offers you the opportunity to explore modules which include Global challenges, Politics in the 21st Century, War, Strategy and Intelligence, Capitalism, Intelligence and International Security to name a few. As a student in the Department of International Politics, you will study in the world's first department of international politics that was founded after the First World War to help the world understand the world. During the first year, you will receive a comprehensive introduction to French studies and related research skills, in tutorial form. The Department of International Politics provides many opportunities of extra curricular activities during the duration of the course. A highlight of the course for many students is the renowned Crisis Games which is a three day role playing exercise in political, economics and diplomatic manoeuvre, developing negotiation and communication, critical thinking team work and problem solving skills. Crisis games have been based on humanitarian crises, the Northern Ireland peace process, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US presidential election, environmental disaster in the Arctic, war between Russia and Georgia. The Crisis Games will allow you to learn about aspects of international politics which cannot be taught in lectures and seminars, especially the constraints which political leaders face in responding to various crises. This is no doubt, the highlight of the year. This degree is available to beginners and advanced students. Beginners will follow an intensive course in the first year. We deliver this degree through the medium of lectures and seminars. We will assign you a personal tutor who will be with you throughout your degree, this person will help you any problems whether these are academic-related or personal issues. We assess our students through essays, reports, examinations, book reviews, learning logs and presentations.

Studying for a degree in Modern Languages with International Politics will equip you with a range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. These include: the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form; effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills; the ability to work independently; time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines; self-motivation and self-reliance; team-working, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement; research skills.