International Relations and Language & Linguistics

International Relations and Language & Linguistics at Aberdeen gives you solid grounding in the role of power, states and governments in an ever-changing world, combined with a fascinating exploration of how human language evolved, how we learn languages and how they differ and change over time. You will gain the all-round knowledge and skills for a wide range of careers in local and national government, non-government agencies, media and in many other fields and professions.

In International Relations, you will look closely at how states and organisations interact, global wealth and poverty and the ever-present concerns of conflict and peace. You will study regional and international tensions, nationalism, concepts of democracy and be taught by internationally renowned academics with strong track records in publishing international papers and articles and who appear regularly in the media, analysing and explaining national, European and world developments from the viewpoint of their own area of expertise and research.

Language & Linguistics probes deeply into language and speech, analysing and modelling this fascinating human attribute – and foundation of international relations – to help us understand ourselves and human societies more fully. You will explore how the brain processes speech and language, how languages evolve over time, and how we learn second languages.

This is an exciting and fast-moving field. Our understanding of language grows all the time with new discoveries in neuroscience, animal behaviour, archaeology, sociology and psychology and new ways to use linguistics theory in industry, medicine, and forensic science emerge year on year. You will graduate brilliantly prepared for a wide range of careers in politics, media, local and national government, NGOs and international affairs and also language teaching and health-related professions such as speech and language therapy or work with blind or deaf people.

We are ranked 4th in the UK for International Relations and 8th in the UK for Politics by the Guardian University Guide 2023.