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Undergraduate Study

BA International Relations and Modern Languages - 2026 entry

Please note: The below is for 2026 entry. Click here for 2025 entry.
UCAS code LR05
Duration 4 years
Entry year 2026
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Politics and International Relations
Contact
Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A-Level: AAB-ABB
IB: 34-32/665-655
BTEC: DDD-DDM

Contextual offers

A-Level: BBC
IB: 28/554
BTEC: DDM

Overview

  • You’ll explore domestic and global affairs while acquiring a thorough understanding of the language, culture and literature from a diverse range of societies
  • Our smaller class sizes enable you to actively discuss and debate your ideas and work closely with academic staff
  • Option to spend your third year studying or working abroad in a country where you can develop your chosen language.  Students studying beginners languages are required to study the 4-year “with International Placement” course.
  • Get involved with the various Language student societies, make friends, attend socials and seminars and hear from guest speakers
  • Our strong focus on career-related experience and skills will help you achieve your future career aspirations

View 2025 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open Days

How to apply

International Placement

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 15 icon

Top 15 in the UK for Politics

14th in The Complete University Guide 2026; 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

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We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research

Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021

Graduation cap and diploma icon: symbolizing academic achievement and success.

81% of politics graduates in or due to start employment or further study fifteen months after graduation*

*based on full-time, first degree, UK domiciled graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes survey 2021/22

Medal with star on icon

Top 150 in the world for Political Sciences

Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) or Shanghai Rankings 2024

Top 15 icon

Top 15 in the UK for Politics

14th in The Complete University Guide 2026; 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Earth icon

We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research

Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021

Graduation cap and diploma icon: symbolizing academic achievement and success.

81% of politics graduates in or due to start employment or further study fifteen months after graduation*

*based on full-time, first degree, UK domiciled graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes survey 2021/22

Medal with star on icon

Top 150 in the world for Political Sciences

Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) or Shanghai Rankings 2024

Course duration

Did you know that there are both 3-year and 4-year degree programmes in Modern Languages at Exeter?

There are significant benefits of choosing the 4-year with International Placement programme, particularly in enhancing your language proficiency.

Both the 4-year and 3-year programmes offer a comprehensive and in-depth study of modern languages and cultures. However, the 4-year degree includes a valuable international placement year, giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language and culture of your chosen country while either studying or working.

We know that graduates who have studied the 4-year course with a year abroad have benefitted from a range of key skills that have been vital in shaping their early careers:

  • Enhanced language proficiency – Evidence shows that speaking your chosen language in the country where it is the main language helps improve proficiency significantly.
  • Cultural immersion – Spending time on an international placement will give you a deeper understanding of the nation’s cultures and broaden your appreciation of individuals from different backgrounds.
  • Personal and professional development – You will have the opportunity to independently build intercultural communication skills and experience a range of professional sectors. These are key skills highly valued by today’s employers.
  • Competitive edge – Our graduates have gone on to work for organisations across the globe, and they tell us that gaining skills and experiences while on the international placement is the most important factor when applying for jobs after graduating.

Please also note that, if you are starting a language from beginner level, you must take the 4-year programme to ensure you develop the necessary language skills. If you are studying languages post-A-Level, it is possible to choose the 3-year programme. You can apply to both the 3- and 4-year courses via UCAS.

Read more

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level AAB-ABB Dependent on language level chosen (see below)
IB 34/665-32/655 Dependent on language level chosen (see below)
BTEC DDD-DDM Dependent on language level chosen (see below)
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 30 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade - 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade. Dependent on language level chosen (see below), the required L3 credits in Modern Foreign Language subject area
T-Level Distinction Dependent on language level chosen (see below), GCE A-Level in a Modern Foreign Language may also be required.
Contextual Offer
* Please note: The contextual offer shown is an example based on offers made to students starting in 2025, and is for guidance only. We will confirm the contextual offer for 2026 entry later this year.* Please note: The contextual offer shown is an example based on offers made to students starting in 2024, and is for guidance only. We will confirm the contextual offer for 2025 entry later this year.

A-Level: BBC
IB: 28/554
BTEC: DDM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

Choosing a language

You may choose one language to study alongside International Relations. Find out more about the languages we offer below

Check subject requirements for different language levels

It may be possible to study further languages to a lower level of proficiency than degree level in the Language Centre, subject to demand: this is arranged on registration at Exeter.

Completing your UCAS form

When completing your UCAS form you must indicate the language you want to study with us under ‘further details’ in the ‘choices’ section of the application form, using the below abbreviations.

French Fren
Chinese (Mandarin) Chin
German Germ
Italian Ital
Portuguese Port
Russian Russ
Spanish Span

For further information on completing your UCAS form, please visit the UCAS website.

Read more

Course content

The degree is made up of compulsory and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.

You will take half your credits in International Relations and the remaining credits in your chosen language.

Students studying beginners languages must take the 4-year “with International Placement” course.

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

30 credits of compulsory International Relations modules, 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language and 60 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of International Relations modules, and 30 consisting of content related to your chosen language.

Compulsory modules

Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:

a - select 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language.

CodeModule Credits
POL1017 Globalisation of World Politics 15
POL1018 The Challenges of World Politics in the Twenty-First Century 15
Modern Languages Stage 1 Compulsory Language Modules [See note a above]
MLF1001 French Language 30
MLF1052 French Language for Beginners 30
MLG1001 German Language 30
MLG1052 German Language for Beginners 30
MLI1001 Italian Language 30
MLI1052 Italian Language for Beginners 30
MLM1052 Beginners Chinese 30
MLP1052 Portuguese Language for Beginners 30
MLR1001 Contemporary Russian Written and Oral 30
MLR1030 Russian Language for Beginners 30
MLS1001 Spanish Language 30
MLS1056 Spanish Language for Beginners 30

Optional modules

Select 30 credits of International Relations modules from this list.

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability.

b - select 30 credits of optional modules consisting of content related to your chosen language; on the Modern Languages side of your programme, you may select a maximum of 15 credits of either the SML- or HUM-coded modules for the year. Please note that certain modules may only be available to students on Single Honours programmes, or to students who have taken a particular language module. This information will be given in the pre-requisites or co-requisites section of the relevant module descriptor.

CodeModule Credits
Chinese Stage 1 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note b above]
PHL1010 Introduction to Asian Philosophy 15
MLM1014 Chinese Art and the Art of Living 15
SML1208 Language, Culture, International Relations 15
French Stage 1 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note b above]
MLF1017 The Making of Modern France 15
MLF1018 The Devil is in the Detail: An Introduction to the Short Story in French 15
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
MLF1103 The French Language, Present and Past 15
MLF1105 An Introduction to French Thought 15
MLF1121 French Visual History 15
SML1208 Language, Culture, International Relations 15
German Stage 1 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note b above]
MLG1020 Made in Germany: the History and Culture of a Global Brand 15
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
MLG1014 A Nation Remembers: Issues in German Cultural Memory 15
SML1208 Language, Culture, International Relations 15
Italian Stage 1 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note b above]
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
MLI1016 Italy Inside Out: Popular Visual Narratives about Italy 15
MLI1121 A Thousand Faces: Cultures and History in 19th-Century Italy 15
SML1208 Language, Culture, International Relations 15
Portuguese Stage 1 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note b above]
MLP1002 Introduction to the Lusophone World 15
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
SML1208 Language, Culture, International Relations 15
Russian Stage 1 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note b above]
MLR1006 An Emotional Experience: Russian Literature and the Expression of Feeling 15
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
MLR1023 Russia: Empire and Identity 15
SML1208 Language, Culture, International Relations 15
Spanish Stage 1 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note b above]
MLS1064 An Introduction to the Hispanic World: Texts in Context 15
MLS1068 An Introduction to the Literature and Film of Spain 15
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
MLS1066 The Making of Modern Latin America: History Through Literature and Culture 15
MLS1164 A Journey of Discovery: Hispanic Global Culture 15
International Relations Stage 1 CH Option Modules 2025-6
POL1000 Critical Skills for Politics and International Relations 15
POL1019 Power and Democracy 15
POL1020 Politics in Europe 15
POL1025 Classical Political Thought 15
POL1026 Early Modern Political Thought 15
POL1029 Introduction to Comparative Politics 15
POL1045 International Politics of the Global South 15
POL1046 The State of the UK: Identifying Marginalised Identities and Addressing Inequalities 15
POL1047 Global Sustainability Governance and Policy 15
POL1048 The Politics of Development 15
ARA1010 Politics and Economy of the Contemporary Middle East 15

30 credits of compulsory International Relations modules, 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language and 60 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of International Relations modules, and 30 consisting of content related to your chosen language.

Compulsory modules

Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:

c - select 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language.

CodeModule Credits
POL2020 Contemporary Theories of World Politics 15
POL2057 Security Studies 15
Modern Languages Stage 2 Compulsory Language Modules [see note c above]
MLF2001 French Language, Written and Oral 30
MLF2152 Intermediate French 30
MLG2001 German Language, Written and Oral 30
MLG2052 Intermediate German 30
MLI2001 Italian Language, Written and Oral 30
MLI2051 Italian Language 30
MLM2052 Intermediate Chinese (One) 30
MLP2052 Intermediate Portuguese 30
MLR2001 Contemporary Russian Written and Oral I 30
MLR2030 Intermediate Russian 30
MLS2001 Spanish Language, Written and Oral 30
MLS2156 Spanish Language (ex-beginners) 30

Optional modules

select 30 credits of International Relations modules from this list. 

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability.

d - select 30 credits of optional modules consisting of content related to your chosen language; on the Modern Languages side of your programme, you may select a maximum of 15 credits of either the SML- or HUM-coded modules listed below for the year.It is your responsibility to ensure that credit for SML modules can be counted towards the language of your study, where this is necessary for your credit count

CodeModule Credits
Chinese Stage 2 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note d above]
MLM2003 Chinoiserie and Europeenerie: Artistic and cultural exchanges between China and Europe 15
MLM2008 Introduction to Modern Chinese Literature 15
SML2003 Research Skills in Languages and Cultures 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2247 Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence 15
French Stage 2 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note d above]
MLF2005 Classical myth in French and francophone cinema 15
MLF2012 Evolution of the French Language 15
MLF2056 Provoking Thoughts - French Literature and Philosophy from the Renaissance to the 20th Century 15
AHV2012 Revolutions: Art and Society in France, 1770-1848 30
MLF2006 French-language Road Movies: Space, Place and Identity 15
MLF2070 Violence and Virtue: Early Modern French Theatre 15
MLF2076 Subversive Texts: Baudelaire and Rachilde 15
SML2003 Research Skills in Languages and Cultures 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
SML2247 Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence 15
German Stage 2 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note d above]
MLG2003 Youth and Age: Generations in German Fiction and Film 15
MLG2018 Berlin - Culture, History and Politics 15
SML2003 Research Skills in Languages and Cultures 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2247 Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence 15
Italian Stage 2 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note d above]
MLI2004 From Page to Screen: The Italian Female Detective in Literature, Film and Television 15
MLI2019 Italian(s) in the World 15
SML2003 Research Skills in Languages and Cultures 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2247 Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence 15
Portuguese Stage 2 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note d above]
SML2004 Contemporary Latin American Cinema 15
SML2003 Research Skills in Languages and Cultures 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2247 Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence 15
Russian Stage 2 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note d above]
MLR2026 The Deceptive City: the Creation of St Petersburg in Russian Literature 15
MLR2021 Understanding Russia 15
MLR2025 Imperfect Murder: Reading Crime and Punishment 15
SML2003 Research Skills in Languages and Cultures 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2247 Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence 15
Spanish Stage 2 Option Modules 2025-6 [See note d above]
MLS2044 How to be a Knight: Political Lessons from 14th-Century Spain 15
MLS2070 Catalonia Is Not Spain? Modern Catalan Culture in Context 15
MLS2073 Literary Non-Fiction in Argentina: When Writing Meets the Real 15
SML2004 Contemporary Latin American Cinema 15
MLS2045 Federico Garcia Lorca: Theatre and Poetry 15
MLS2061 The Latin American Short Story 15
MLS2160 Fiction in Post-War Spain: Voices of Conformity and Subversion 15
SML2003 Research Skills in Languages and Cultures 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2247 Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence 15
International Relations Stage 2 CH Option Modules 2025-6
POL2026 Political Analysis: Behaviour, Institutions, Ideas 15
POL2027 The Politics of the World Economy 15
POL2046 The Economics of Politics 15
POL2047 American Politics 15
POL2050 Political Philosophy 15
POL2059 Political Thought of Modernity 15
POL2076 Rising Powers, Peace and Conflict 15
POL2079 Contemporary Public Debate in an Age of 'Anti-Politics' 15
POL2081 Thinking about Race: Perspectives from the Biological and Social Sciences 15
POL2082 Changing Character of Warfare 15
POL2098 What is Law? Jurisprudence from Stone Tablet to Brain Imaging 15
POL2102 Explaining Public Policies 15
POL2107 Gender and Comparative Public Policy 15
POL2115 British Foreign Policy 15
POL2122 The Politics and Policies of Youth Engagement 15
POL2128 Introduction to Research Design in Politics and International Relations 15
POL2130 Comparative Electoral Systems 15
POL2131 Environmental Governance 15
POL2132 Decolonising Global Justice 15
POL2164 The Politics of Humanitarian Emergencies 15
POL2165 Foreign Policy Analysis 15
POL2166 Gendering World Politics 15

If you choose the with International Placement variant of this course, your placement will take place in Year 3.

120 credit compulsory placement module

Compulsory modules

e - You must take one of these modules.

CodeModule Credits
SML3010 Work and Study Abroad [See note e above]120
SML3020 Study Abroad at a Partner University (with Assessment in the Foreign Language) [See note e above]120
SML3025 Internship Abroad Combined with Study at a Partner University Abroad [See note e above]120

60 credits of International Relations modules, 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language and 30 credits of optional modules consisting of content related to your chosen language

Compulsory modules

Subject to selecting 120 credits in the stage you must:

e - select 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language.

CodeModule Credits
Modern Languages Final Stage Compulsory Language Modules [See note e above]
MLM3111 Advanced Chinese Language Skills 30
MLF3111 Advanced French Language Skills 30
MLG3111 Advanced German Language Skills 30
MLI3111 Advanced Italian Language Skills 30
MLP3111 Advanced Portuguese Language Skills 30
MLR3111 Advanced Russian Language Skills 30
MLS3111 Advanced Spanish Language Skills 30

Optional modules

Select 30-60 credits of option modules in International Relations.  

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability.

f - select 30 credits of optional modules consisting of content related to your chosen language; you may select a maximum of 15 credits of the SML- or HUM-coded modules listed below for the year, these are additional to SML3015. You may, alternatively, take SML3030. Please note you may only select one dissertation module across the two programmes. It is your responsibility to ensure that credit for SML modules can be counted towards the language of your study, where this is necessary for your credit count.

CodeModule Credits
Chinese Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6 [See note f above]
MLM3009 China through the Lens: Cultural Translation and Self-Presentation 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
SML3052 The Place of Meaning: Gardens in Europe and Asia 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
MLM3008 Introduction to Modern Chinese Literature 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
French Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6 [See note f above]
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
MLF3006 The Invention of Modern Love 15
MLF3007 Multilingualism, Audiovisual Translation and Power in Cinema-monde 15
MLF3075 First-Person Outsiders in Modern French Literature 15
MLF3079 Sex, Subversion and Censorship: Libertine Literature in Seventeenth-Century France 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
MLF3046 Dialectology in France 15
MLF3078 Philosophers, Prophets and Mystics in French Culture 15
MLF3080 Les Miserables from the Nineteenth Century to the Present Day 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3044 Migration in World Cinema 15
German Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6 [See note f above]
MLG3037 Coping with Catastrophe: German Culture, Literature and Politics in the Interwar Years 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
MLG3036 Dictatorships on Display: History Exhibitions in Germany and Austria 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3044 Migration in World Cinema 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
Italian Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6 [See note f above]
AHV3002 Understanding Space in Renaissance Italy 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
MLI3033 Multicultural Italy 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3044 Migration in World Cinema 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
Portuguese Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6 [See note f above]
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3044 Migration in World Cinema 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
Russian Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6 [See note f above]
MLR3026 The Deceptive City: The Creation of St Petersburg in Russian Literature 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
MLR3121 Understanding Russia 15
MLR3125 Imperfect Murder: Reading Crime and Punishment 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
Spanish Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6 [See note f above]
MLS3071 The Chilean Road to Socialism (1970-1973): What Happened and Why? Elements for a Debate 15
MLS3037 Women and Feminism in 20th Century Spain 15
MLS3057 Cross Currents: Memory, Myth and Modernity in Latin America 15
MLS3112 Spanish Modernists: Narratives of Identity, Gender and Nation 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
MLS3072 Unlawful Sex: Sexualities on Trial in Medieval Spain 15
MLS3114 Sustainability in the Hispanic World 15
SML3031 Advanced Translation Skills 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3044 Migration in World Cinema 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
International Relations and Politics Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6
POL3054 Nuclear Weapons in International Relations 15
POL3069 Globalisation and the Politics of Resistance 30
POL3090 Politics and Conflict in Deeply Divided Societies 15
POL3136 Political Psychology 30
POL3168 War and its Aftermath: Interventions and Contemporary Conflict 30
POL3180 Latin American Parties, Politics and Elections 30
POL3196 Democracy in the European Union 30
POL3234 Religion, Politics and Policy in Europe 30
POL3240 Women in the Criminal Justice System: Law, Policy and Institutions 15
POL3247 Politics of Biology 15
POL3248 Marxism(s) and International Relations 15
POL3250 Environmental Policy in Times of Crisis 15
POL3256 Trumping the Mainstream: The Populist Radical Right and Democratic politics 30
POL3259 Climate Justice 30
POL3260 Russian Foreign Policy 15
POL3263 Political Economy of Development 15
POL3274 Money, Lobbying, and Policymaking 15
POL3284 Realism and Its Critics: Debating and Applying International Relations Theory 15
POL3291 Disrupting Western and Neo-Liberal Policing of the Global and the Local 30
POL3292 LGBTQ+ Policies and Politics in the UK 15
POL3293 The Political Economy of Chinese Development 15
POL3294 Land, Power and Politics: a critical problem-based approach 15
POL3296 Political Economy of Populism 15
POL3297 Comparative Political Economy: Varieties of Capitalism 15
POL3302 Elections, Public Opinion and Parties in Britain 15
POL3303 Protest, Activism and the Environment 30
POL3304 Political Philosophies of Power 15
POL3306 Contemporary Chinese Diplomacy and Foreign Policy 15
POL3307 International Politics of the Body 15
POL3310 War in the 21st Century 30
POL3311 Brexit: Causes, Interpretation and Implications 15
POL3312 The Transformation of Politics in the Global Age 15
POL3316 Empire and Hierarchy in Russia and Eurasia 15
POL3317 Authoritarian Resilience in the Global South 15
POL3318 Transformation of Social and Political Realities through Smartphones 15
POL3319 The Politics of Place 15
POL3320 Politics Online 15
POL3321 The Politics of Economic Policymaking 30
POL3322 Artificial Intelligence and Democracy 30
POL3323 International Relations in Global History 30
POL3324 War, Culture and Society 30
POL3325 Understanding Public and Nonprofit Management 15
POL3326 International Politics of the Body 30
POL3327 Strategy and Psychology in Foreign Policy 15
POL3328 Surveys and Experiments: Design Implementation and Analysis 15
HAS3010 Work Experience: Building Skills and Unlocking Opportunities 15
POL3213 Feminist Political Theory 15

Our languages

Combined Honours students can choose from one of the seven languages we offer at Exeter.

All languages are available at beginners level. French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish can be studied at advanced level.

In addition, there is also the possibility to take modules in an extra language through the Language Centre.

Fees

Please note: The fees for students starting in 2026 have yet to be set. The fees provided below are the fees for students starting in 2025 and are for guidance only. We will post the fees for 2026 entry shortly.

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,535 per year
International students: £24,700 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.

Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

How will I learn?

International Relations

We use a wide range of teaching methods as well as encouraging independent study with an increasing emphasis on seminar discussion and project work in your second and third years

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Practical exercises, project and group work
  • Independent study

Modern Languages

In Modern Languages our teaching aims not to just improve your production and comprehension of the language but also help to develop your language-learning skills.

  • Written language taught through weekly classes of about 18 students
  • Weekly oral practice in classes of around eight with native speakers

You will also have access to personal and subject tutors who will give you the individual help and guidance you need to succeed.

Assessment

  • Essays and projects
  • Practical assignments
  • Oral language tasks
  • Field work notebooks

You must pass your first year modules in order to proceed but your performance at this level does not count towards your final degree classification.

The Language Centre

All language students have access to the language-learning facilities provided by the Language Centre, which include satellite television channels in each of our languages and audio, computer and multi-media language-learning packages

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in specified subjects, you may have the words 'with proficiency in’ added to your degree title when you graduate.

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

Develop skills valued by employers

Combining International Relations with a Modern Language will not only develop your understanding of complex political and cultural issues but you will also graduate with language skills that are particularly valued by a wide range of employers within finance, law, the media as well as the business and public sectors. Alongside this you will gain a range of academic and professional skills including:

  • Analytical, critical and independent thinking
  • Independent research
  • Discussion and group work
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Articulating ideas and arguments
  • Organising, planning and time management
  • Assertiveness and enterprise
  • Commercial awareness
  • Communication and leadership

Career paths

The broad range of transferable skills gained on a  International Relations and Modern Languages degree enable graduates to pursue further study or employment in a wide range of careers including:

  • Politics and the civil service
  • International organisations
  • Interpreter/translator
  • Journalism and media
  • Finance and commerce
  • Teaching
  • Business and Management
  • Marketing and communications
  • The voluntary and charity sector

Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award

Many of our students participate in The Exeter Award and The Exeter Leaders Award. These schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.

Developing your skills and career prospects

We provide a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. You will be able to access a range of specific activities such as careers skills sessions and employer-led events, or seek bespoke advice and support from Employability Officers.

The Career Zone also organises a busy schedule of activities including careers fairs, skills workshops, and training events, and can advise on graduate opportunities and volunteering.

Further study

A Modern Languages degree is also excellent preparation for postgraduate study, and recent graduates have progressed to a range of courses, including: MA European Politics, Graduate Diploma in Law, PGCE Secondary French, MA International Relations, MSc Globalisation and Latin American Development and MA Translation and Professional Language Skills.

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