French / International Relations BA (Hons)

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 French component of this course will enable you to discover language, culture, literature and art whilst at the same time developing your linguistic competencies in the French 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.

Why study International Relations and French at Aberystwyth University?

• 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 of Paris, travel literature and current affairs.
• All students on this course will spend their third year living independently in a French-speaking country. 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.
• You will become a student in a department that scored 93% for student satisfaction in the 2017 National Student Survey (NSS 2017), demonstrating our commitment to provide you with an experience that is memorable and cherished. The Department of International Politics have also scored 95% overall satisfaction for the department (NSS 2018) and ranked a top 10 department in the UK for teaching quality and student experience in the subject area of politics (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019).
• 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.

Employability

Employability is embedded within all courses provided by us. Our degrees provide a solid foundation for a vast array of careers across a range of sectors. In a rapidly shifting global economy, our graduates are adaptable and able to draw on a range of transferable skills, ensuring that they are always in demand.