Languages and International Relations, BA Hons
Our languages and international relations degree offers you language skills and an understanding of how international relations shape our world view - ideal if you're looking for global careers.
You can expand your knowledge of culture and politics with our degree in languages and international relations. You can also study up to two languages, chosen from Mandarin, Spanish, French or Italian, at a level that suits you. This will enable you to take a final-year work placement in an international organisation. Taking part in an Erasmus+ student exchange is also an option.
Our languages and international relations graduates develop valuable transferable skills that are attractive to employers, including an ability to communicate across cultures. Possible careers include roles in national and international government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), public services, management, education, business, tourism, PR, translation and media.
Department
Duration
- 3 years full-time
- 6 years part-time
- 4 years sandwich
Start month
September
UK/international fees
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
You will be taught by an experienced team of experts, which includes senior academics and practitioners with industry experience. Trained postgraduate researchers may also contribute to seminar teaching with the module leader. Teaching is informed by our research and writing.
Come and visit us
You can find out a lot about a university online, but to really get a feel for what it's like to live and study here you should come and visit. Come take a look at our historic campuses in London and Kent.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
If you are
For entry, you will require the following:
- 104 UCAS points.
- 3 A-levels at grades BCC or above.
- GCSEs in English (language or literature) at grade C / 4 or above.
General Studies is not normally accepted.
We accept alternative qualifications including:
- BTEC/National Diploma
- International Baccalaureate
- Additional Vocational Certification of Education
- Scottish and Irish Highers.
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.
For detailed information on the academic and English language requirements, please find your country in our directory.
Alternatively, please contact us:
- By telephone: +44 (0)20 8331 8136.
- By email: international@gre.ac.uk.
Further information about entry
You may be invited for an interview.
We welcome applications from mature students.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use prior learning?
For entry: applicants with professional qualifications and/or four years of full-time work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
For exemption: If you hold qualifications or courses from another higher education institution, these may exempt you from courses of this degree.
Professional qualifications and Brexit
The UK's departure from the European Union may affect the professional recognition of your qualification.
How you will learn
Teaching
In a typical week learning takes place through a combination of:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- 1-to-1 tutorials
Further details to be confirmed.
Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Contact hours may fall between 9am and 9pm, depending on your elective courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
The typical student intake per year averages 60-80. Typically, language classes may have 25-30 students per class. Lectures usually are attended by larger groups and seminars/tutorials by smaller groups. This can vary more widely for modules that are shared between degrees.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate time to self-study. This may involve further reading and research, preparing coursework and presentations, preparing for tests and exams, and independent language learning.
You can use Stockwell Street Library, online resources, and our language centre to support you in these activities.
In addition, during the week you can also:
- Attend additional support classes in some modules
- Attend guest lectures from industry experts
- Take part in employability and enterprise workshops
- Join student societies.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.
Each module you study towards this degree is worth 30 credits. These represent around 300 study hours. If you receive 72 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 228 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.
Assessment
On this course, students are assessed by:
- Examinations
- Coursework
Further details to be confirmed.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include ‘practice’ assessments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
2019/2020 fees
| Full-time (per year) | Part-time (per 30 credits) | |
|---|---|---|
| View fees |
2020/2021 fees
TBA
* For full fees information please visit our fees information pages.
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from just over £100 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Other costs
Course texts and other study resources are available from our Stockwell Street Library, but you may wish to purchase your own copies.
Will I have a work placement?
You can choose to take a 30-credit work placement in either your second year (100 hours) or final year (150 hours) alongside your other modules.
You can also register on 'sandwich mode', which allows you to do a one-year full-time paid placement between your second and final years. Whilst on a sandwich placement you retain your student status and have full support from the university and your tutors as normal.
Students are responsible for finding their own placements, though we will support you through the application process.
How long is my placement?
The 30-credit work placement requires you to gain 150 hours in total.
Sandwich placements must last for a minimum of 36 weeks full-time, though they can be as long as 13 months.
What are the financial arrangements?
Credit-bearing work placements are unpaid. However, sandwich placements usually are paid, full-time positions. The salary should reflect the going rate for an entry level role in the relevant industry.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
The skills you acquire through studying our courses will prepare you for careers in a wide range of industries and jobs. Graduates of this course have gone on to work in areas as diverse as national and international government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), management, public services, education, business, tourism, PR, translation and media.
You may also go on to further study at Master's level or take a teacher-training qualification (PGCE).
Are internships available?
Students are encouraged to gain relevant work experience if possible, including internships, and can be paid or unpaid. Students are responsible for finding their own internships, though we will support you through the application process.
Do you provide employability services?
Employability activities take place all the time at Greenwich and students are encouraged to take part in as many opportunities as possible. The central Employability and Careers Service provides support for students preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles, such as CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops.
Each School also has its own Employability Officer who provides specific opportunities relevant to your own course. They work closely with professionals in the industry to ensure you are well-prepared for the workplace and have already begun to build your professional network by the time you graduate.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
You can also participate in the Erasmus student exchange and spend a year abroad. Benefit from international experience and develop proficiency in a European language.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our undergraduate prospectus or check our related courses below.
International relations at the University of Greenwich
Where better to study international relations than Greenwich, an area steeped in maritime history? You’ll have the chance to undertake work placements at the House of Commons or international organisations.
Visit our international relations subject page.
International relations courses
International relations subject page Subject page Search our international relations courses All undergraduate courses