If you’re passionate about understanding how politics shapes our world and excited to become fluent in one of the most widely spoken global languages, this degree is for you. At Bristol, you’ll study the big debates in politics while immersing yourself in Spanish language and culture—opening doors to careers and experiences across Europe, Latin America, and beyond.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
Your first year gives you a strong foundation. In politics, you’ll explore core ideas such as democracy, power, freedom, and global relations. At the same time, in Spanish, you’ll build your language skills from the basics upward (or strengthen them if you already have experience). Alongside, you’ll start engaging with Spanish literature, film, or history, giving cultural depth to your language studies.
Year 2
By the second year, you’ll branch into specialist political themes—such as UK policymaking, African politics, or environmental political theory—while continuing to advance your Spanish. You can choose fascinating cultural options, from Hispanic cinema and literature to sociolinguistics, which help you understand Spanish-speaking societies on a deeper level.
Year 3 (Year Abroad)
This is where the magic happens—you’ll spend a full year living, studying, or working in a Spanish-speaking country. It’s your chance to put everything you’ve learned into practice, gain confidence in real-world settings, and return with near-native fluency and unforgettable life experiences.
Year 4
In your final year, you’ll bring everything together. You’ll take advanced modules in politics—topics like feminism in international relations, populism, or the relationship between states and markets—and pair them with higher-level Spanish courses in literature, history, and culture. This is your chance to specialize in the areas you care about most.
Focus Areas
"Political theory, international relations, comparative politics, advanced Spanish language, Hispanic culture, literature, history, and film"
Learning Outcomes
"Master political analysis, achieve professional fluency in Spanish, gain intercultural awareness, and develop research and communication skills that employers value worldwide"
Professional Alignment
Delivered by Bristol’s School of Politics & International Relations and the School of Modern Languages, the program is research-led and globally relevant, preparing you for roles in government, NGOs, international business, media, and cultural sectors.
Reputation & Employability
Ranked 12th in the UK for Politics and International Relations (Complete University Guide 2025).
Bristol is the 5th most targeted university by top UK employers (High Fliers 2024).
85% of graduates go on to work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree.
This degree is designed to take your learning far beyond the lecture hall. From the very start, you’ll be developing practical skills through dynamic teaching methods—think interactive seminars, workshops, and group projects where you present ideas, debate real-world issues, or even create podcasts and video essays. You’ll also make use of Bristol’s Multimedia Centre and language labs, where you can record, edit, and practice with cutting-edge tools that bring your work to life.
A real highlight of the course is your year abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, giving you the chance to live the language, immerse yourself in local culture, and gain confidence that simply can’t be built in a classroom. Alongside this, you’ll be part of a lively community—language cafés, visiting speakers, student societies, and cultural showcases all add an extra layer of learning and connection.
To give you a sense of what that looks like in practice:
Hands-on language practice in the Multimedia Centre, with access to recording studios, editing suites, and specialist software.
Creative assessments like podcasts, video essays, and debates, alongside traditional essays and dissertations.
A transformative year abroad, where you’ll study or work in a Spanish-speaking country to sharpen your fluency and cultural awareness.
A vibrant student community, with cafés, talks, societies, and showcases to practice your Spanish and broaden your horizons.
Personalised guidance, through small-group teaching, one-to-one supervision, and support from experts in politics, international relations, and Spanish studies.
Studying Politics and Spanish at Bristol sets you up for a truly international career. You’ll graduate with strong analytical skills, cultural awareness, and fluency in Spanish—qualities that employers around the world are actively looking for. Many of our graduates move into roles such as policy advisor, journalist, diplomat, or NGO specialist, where language and political expertise go hand in hand.
Here’s how Bristol helps you get there:
Dedicated careers support – From one-to-one guidance to CV workshops and interview prep, the Careers Service and School of Modern Languages team work closely with you throughout your degree.
Strong employment record – Around 85% of politics graduates are working or in further study within 15 months, with many moving quickly into professional-level jobs.
International opportunities – Thanks to our partnerships in Spain and across Latin America (Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica), your year abroad gives you valuable global experience and often a real edge in the job market.
Respected degree – A Bristol degree carries weight. Employers know you’ve trained at a top UK university consistently ranked among the best in the world.
Diverse career pathways – Graduates have gone into fields like translation, diplomacy, teaching, journalism, accountancy, banking, marketing, tourism, and even the Foreign Office.
Further Academic Progression:
If you want to keep studying after your BA, you’ll have plenty of options. Many students continue on to Master’s programmes in International Relations, Political Theory, Global Policy, or Translation and Interpreting. Others take professional training in teaching or policy, or even move into doctoral research in politics, Latin American studies, or linguistics.
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