BA Politics and French

On the BA Politics and Modern Languages course at Bristol, learning goes way beyond the classroom. You’ll get hands-on with media tools, work closely with classmates and tutors, and even spend a year living abroad, fully immersed in another culture. It’s about picking up practical skills and real experiences that will shape your future.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Modern Languages Multimedia Centre – a hub packed with a mini-cinema, language labs, and even a recording and video-editing studio where you can create podcasts, films, and presentations.

• Interactive classes – expect a mix of lectures, small group seminars, workshops, and one-to-one guidance. You won’t just write essays—you’ll also debate, record podcasts, work on group projects, and create video essays.

• Year abroad – in your third year, you’ll live in a country where your chosen language is spoken. That could mean studying at a partner university, teaching English, or taking on a local work placement. If you study more than one language, you can even split your year across different countries.

• Student life and culture – there’s plenty happening outside of classes too: language cafés, film screenings, guest lectures, and even the chance to perform in foreign-language plays or write for student media.

• Politics and language combined – you’ll link political study with language and cultural exploration, giving you both critical insight and the ability to communicate it across borders.

A degree in Politics and Modern Languages from Bristol opens doors to careers where global awareness and communication skills are highly valued. Many graduates step into roles such as policy advisors, international relations officers, translators or interpreters, and even diplomatic service professionals. It’s the perfect mix if you want a career that’s both internationally relevant and intellectually challenging.

Here’s how Bristol helps you get there:

• Personal careers support: You’ll have access to the Careers Service for tailored advice, CV help, job applications, and exclusive networking events—not just during your degree, but for three years after graduation.

• Strong employability record: 85% of Politics and International Relations graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree.

• Employer connections: Bristol works closely with top UK and international employers—multinationals, NGOs, and government bodies—through job fairs, workshops, and direct employer visits.

• A respected degree for life: With Bristol ranked among the UK’s top universities and highly regarded worldwide, your qualification carries weight long after you graduate.

• Career destinations: Alumni go on to roles in government, NGOs, journalism, diplomacy, translation, and financial services—all areas where your political knowledge and language fluency make you stand out.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to keep studying after your BA, there are plenty of options. Many graduates choose a Master’s in international relations, political theory, or area studies to deepen their expertise. Others use their language skills in postgraduate translation or interpreting programmes. If teaching or research appeals to you, Bristol also offers pathways into MAs, MRes, or even PhDs. And because your degree is so versatile, you can branch out into areas like law, journalism, or public policy—fields where your blend of political insight and language skills gives you a real edge.