BA Politics and French

One of the best things about studying Politics and French at Manchester is that your learning won’t just happen in lectures—it’s brought to life through real experiences. From state-of-the-art language labs to a full year abroad in a French-speaking country, you’ll be constantly applying what you learn in the classroom to the real world. This mix of hands-on practice, cultural immersion, and research opportunities means you’ll graduate with both knowledge and confidence to use it.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Language Centre & digital tools – You’ll learn in specialist facilities like interpreting suites, recording studios, and use dedicated language-learning software to sharpen your French listening, speaking, and translation skills.

• Year abroad – Spend your third year living and studying or working in a French-speaking country. It’s the most exciting way to improve your fluency and experience the culture first-hand.

• Interactive teaching – Expect small-group seminars, tutorials, and presentations that give you the chance to debate, research, and practice your French in real settings.

• Creative collaboration – Take part in the Palaver Festival, where language students work alongside theatre, dance, and literature projects at the Contact Theatre.

• Independent research – In your final year, you’ll take on a dissertation in either Politics or French, giving you the chance to specialise in a topic that really interests you.

• Varied assessments – You won’t just sit exams; you’ll do oral presentations, fieldwork, and coursework designed to reflect real-world applications.

Graduating with a BA in Politics and French from Manchester gives you a truly global edge. Employers value the ability to think critically about political systems while also communicating fluently across cultures. Recent graduates have gone on to roles such as diplomats, policy analysts, journalists, translators, and communications specialists—all careers where bilingual skills and political insight make a real difference.

And the benefits extend beyond job titles:

• The University’s Careers Service provides tailored support including internships, mentoring, networking events, and exclusive bursaries for overseas work experience.

• Manchester graduates stand out—95% of politics students progress into work or further study within 15 months, with average salaries reaching £33,500 within five years.

• Strong partnerships with global organisations and the chance to spend a year abroad in a French-speaking country ensure you graduate with international experience employers actively seek.

• A Manchester degree holds long-term value, backed by the University’s ranking in the UK top 10 for Politics and 6th for Modern Languages worldwide.

Further Academic Progression:
If you wish to continue your studies, Manchester offers an excellent pathway into postgraduate degrees such as MA International Relations, MA European Politics, or specialist Masters in Translation and Interpreting. With your bilingual background, you’ll also be well prepared for research opportunities or even a PhD, opening doors to academia and higher-level international careers.