Politics, International Relations and Modern Languages (French)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Royal Holloway University of London

Program Overview

If you're passionate about global issues and want to understand how countries interact while also becoming fluent in French, this degree is an ideal match. Royal Holloway’s BA Politics, International Relations and French combines political theory, international diplomacy, and real language immersion, making it perfect for students who see themselves working in embassies, global organisations, journalism, NGOs, or international business.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Foundations in Politics, IR and French
Your first year gives you a solid introduction to global politics, international systems, and the French language. In modules like Introduction to International Relations, you’ll explore topics such as war, peace, empires, and global institutions, while Introduction to Politics and Government teaches you how states make decisions. Alongside this, you’ll study French Language: Culture and Communication — either at beginner or advanced level — to strengthen your speaking, writing, and cultural understanding.

Year 2 – Expanding Knowledge and Confidence
In your second year, you dive deeper into topics such as European Politics, International Relations Theory, and Global Governance. These modules help you understand how the European Union functions, how migration and diplomacy work, and how political power operates internationally. Your French modules move beyond grammar, focusing on French media, cinema, history, and contemporary society to prepare you for your year abroad.

Year 3 – Year Abroad in a French-speaking Country
This is the year where learning becomes real. You’ll live, study, work, or teach in a French-speaking country, gaining true language fluency and cultural awareness. During this time, you’ll still be registered as a Royal Holloway student and complete reflective reports in French. By the end of the year, you’ll return more confident, independent, and genuinely bilingual.

Year 4 – Specialisation and Advanced Study
In your final year, you bring everything together. You’ll choose specialist modules like Security, Conflict and Diplomacy, International Organisations, or Politics and Culture in France. You can also write a dissertation that combines politics and French — for example, French foreign policy, nationalism, or migration in Europe. This year is all about refining your analytical skills and preparing for careers or postgraduate study.

Focus areas (in a string):
“international relations, diplomacy, global politics, European politics, French language and culture, migration, security studies”

Learning outcomes (in a string):
“Graduates will be able to speak and write fluently in French, critically analyse political and global issues, conduct independent research, and apply cultural and political knowledge in international careers.”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This degree isn’t professionally accredited like law or engineering, but it is highly valued in careers such as diplomacy, EU institutions, foreign affairs, international NGOs, translation, journalism, and multinational organisations — especially because of the year abroad and language fluency.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Royal Holloway’s Department of Politics and International Relations is ranked 2nd in the UK for research quality (REF 2021), and graduates with language skills plus international experience are highly employable across government, global organisations, and media.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This degree isn’t just about reading political theory or memorising French grammar — it’s about fully experiencing how language, culture and international politics work in the real world. From small discussion-based classes and digital learning tools to a full year living in a French-speaking country, the programme is built to help you grow as a confident communicator, global thinker and independent learner.

Here’s how students gain real hands-on experience throughout the course:

Year Abroad – the highlight of the degree
You spend your third year studying, working, or teaching in a French-speaking country. You’ll live like a local, improve your fluency naturally, and complete academic reports and an oral exam in French when you return.
Language learning in real contexts
Whether you start as a beginner or post-A Level, you’ll take modules like French Language: Culture and Communication or Advanced French Translation. These include debates, presentations, film analysis, and real-world writing tasks — not just textbook exercises.
Politics and IR through real issues
Modules such as International Political Economy and War and Security in World Politics allow you to apply political theory to current global events — from elections and migration to conflict and diplomacy.
Digital tools and academic support
You’ll use platforms like Moodle for online resources, lecture recordings, journals, quizzes and assignment feedback. You’re also supported by a personal tutor and a first-year study skills module to help you adjust to university-level writing and research.
Cultural immersion and media studies
You won’t just learn the language — you’ll explore French film, literature, media and politics. This helps you understand how culture influences identity, politics and society.

Progression & Future Opportunities

This degree sets you up for a global career — the kind where you can work in government, embassies, international organisations, NGOs, journalism, or even multinational companies. With strong political knowledge, real international experience from your year abroad, and fluency in French, graduates often move into roles like Diplomatic Services Officer, Policy Analyst, International Communications Executive, or NGO/Project Coordinator in global organisations.

To help you get there, Royal Holloway provides real career support and pathways:

Career Support That Starts Early
You’ll have access to the university’s Careers & Employability Service, which offers one-to-one career coaching, CV/interview help, employer events and alumni networking — including pathways into foreign service, international NGOs, and EU institutions.
Strong Graduate Outcomes & Earnings
For related Politics and Languages degrees, around 95% of graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months. Salary data shows graduates earning around £26,000+ in the early career stage (DiscoverUni).
Real-World Experience & Industry Links
Through the Politics department’s placement scheme, students can apply to work in MPs’ offices, NGOs, media organisations, local councils or think tanks. The year abroad also acts as real professional experience — whether you're studying, teaching or working in a French-speaking country.
Why Employers Value This Degree
While it isn’t tied to a single professional licence, it gives you something incredibly valuable — languages + politics + international awareness. Employers look for graduates who can analyse global issues, work with different cultures and communicate professionally in more than one language.
Where Graduates Go
Students from this programme go on to careers in:
✔ Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs (UK Civil Service, Embassies, EU institutions)
✔ NGOs & International Development (Human rights, migration, education charities)
✔ Journalism, Media & Communications (BBC, international press, political communications)
✔ Global Business & Multilingual Corporate Roles (international client relations, PR, consultancy)