Enter OTP
4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
University of ExeterIf you’re passionate about global issues and love languages, Exeter’s BA Politics and Modern Languages gives you the best of both worlds. You’ll study how governments, policies, and international relations shape our world, while also mastering a modern language and exploring the culture, literature, and history that come with it. This program is perfect if you want a career that crosses borders — whether in diplomacy, international organisations, journalism, or business.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
Your first year sets the foundation. You’ll explore politics through modules like The Challenges of World Politics in the Twenty-First Century and Introduction to Comparative Politics, while also developing critical skills in research and analysis. At the same time, you’ll start (or continue) your chosen language with intensive classes such as French Language or German Language, and complement it with cultural topics like The Making of Modern France or A Nation Remembers.
Year 2
By second year, you’ll move into more focused study. In politics, you’ll tackle modules such as Contemporary Theories of World Politics and The Economics of Politics, which help you understand the systems and ideas that shape global decision-making. Your language learning also steps up — you’ll refine your grammar, writing, and oral skills, while diving into modules like Berlin – Culture, History and Politics or Classical Myth in French and Francophone Cinema.
Year 3
If you choose the four-year route, this year is your chance to live and breathe your language abroad. You could study at a partner university, complete a work placement, or take on an internship — a real opportunity to test your language skills in everyday life and gain cultural insight. If you stay on the three-year track, you’ll instead stay on campus and continue with advanced modules such as Nuclear Weapons in International Relations or Globalisation and the Politics of Resistance, while sharpening your language skills through advanced writing and oral courses.
Final Year
In your last year, everything comes together. You’ll reach professional-level fluency with advanced language modules like Advanced French Language Skills or Advanced German Language Skills. On the politics side, you’ll have freedom to tailor your studies with specialist options such as War in the 21st Century, Environmental Policy in Times of Crisis, or Politics and Conflict in Deeply Divided Societies. You can also choose to write a dissertation, giving you the chance to research a topic you truly care about.
Focus areas: global politics, international relations, public policy, language fluency, cultural understanding, translation, cross-cultural communication
Learning outcomes: you’ll graduate with the ability to analyse political systems, debate today’s most pressing issues, communicate fluently in another language, and bridge cultural divides in international careers
Professional alignment: while not tied to a specific external body, the programme is delivered by Exeter’s top-ranked Politics department and world-class Modern Languages faculty, ensuring your degree carries strong professional value
Reputation: Exeter is ranked 14th in the UK for Politics (Complete University Guide 2026) and 15th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, with around 81% of graduates employed or in further study within 15 months. The University is also ranked among the Top 150 worldwide for Political Sciences.
At Exeter, your learning isn’t confined to the classroom — it’s designed to prepare you for the real world. You’ll have the chance to test your politics knowledge in professional environments, live and study abroad to truly immerse yourself in your chosen language, and take advantage of Exeter’s outstanding humanities labs and career support schemes. Every step of the way, you’ll gain practical skills and experiences that make your degree stand out to future employers.
Here are some of the opportunities you can expect:
Year Abroad: Spend six to fifteen months studying, working, or interning abroad — a chance to sharpen your language skills and experience life in another culture.
Politics Internships: Through Exeter’s dedicated internship schemes, you can work with government bodies, policy organisations, or local councils to see politics in action.
Digital Humanities Lab: Get hands-on with digital tools and projects, from 3D imaging and digitisation to working with archives and media editing — skills that are increasingly valuable in both politics and cultural sectors.
Global Research Placements: Opportunities like the MITACS Globalink Research Internship in Canada let you work on international research projects and build cross-cultural professional skills.
Career Support (Create Your Future): Exeter’s employability programme integrates workshops, employer events, and personalised career planning into your degree, so you’re building your professional profile from the start.
Graduates from this course step confidently into international careers. Many go on to become policy advisers, diplomats, journalists, translators, or NGO analysts — roles where both political expertise and language fluency make a real difference. With this degree, you’ll be equipped for work that spans borders and cultures, whether in government, global business, or international organisations.
Exeter gives you plenty of support to get there:
Dedicated career services: Through the Career Zone and Create Your Future programme, you’ll have access to workshops, employer events, and tailored one-to-one guidance to help you plan your next steps.
Strong graduate outcomes: Around 81% of politics graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, with average earnings of about £29,000 just over a year after graduation.
Employer connections: You’ll benefit from Exeter’s links with government bodies, NGOs, and international organisations, plus access to internships and networking events.
Long-term value: While not tied to one professional accreditation, the combined reputation of Exeter’s Politics and Modern Languages departments ensures your degree is highly respected by employers.
Diverse career pathways: Alumni have gone into public policy, civil service, journalism, international NGOs, consulting, translation and interpreting, and education.
Further Academic Progression:
If you want to keep studying, many graduates progress to postgraduate programmes such as MA International Relations, MA European Politics, MSc Globalisation and Latin American Development, Translation Studies, or even teacher training with a PGCE in Languages. Some also choose postgraduate law pathways like a PGDL, opening the door to legal careers.
A-Level AAB-ABBIB 34/665-32/655. Indian High School minimum aggregate of 80% (70% for the West Bengal Board), while other regional Standard XII exams are considered individually but usually need at least 85%.American Curriculum AP 5,4,3. GPA of 3.3. ACT 30.SAT 1370TOEFL 90 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, listening, reading and speaking.IELTS 6.5 overall and no less than 6 in any sectionPoliticansGovernment officialsPublic relations account executive and Member of parliament
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