BA Politics and Modern Languages (RL20)

2026 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

This degree programme combines Politics and International Relations with the study of your chosen language: French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish. This degree combination provides a valuable skill set, ideally tailored to the increasingly globalised workplace. Studying your chosen language will also give you direct access to cultural production and political debates in the countries and cultures in which it is spoken.

All languages can be studied from beginners' level or post-A level (or the equivalent), apart from Portuguese, which is offered from beginners' level only.

The Politics side of the degree explores power, who exercises it, for whom, how it is distributed, and with what consequences. You will gain insight into the politics of different countries, regions and systems, as well as global and local political issues and movements.

On the language side of your degree, you will follow a structured language course in your chosen language, as well as explore the richness of the cultures in which it is spoken, choosing from a range of units in areas such as literature, film, history, thought, linguistics, politics and visual culture. You will spend your third year abroad in a country in which your language is spoken, extending your language skills and cultural knowledge. To find out more about studying abroad, visit the Centre for Study Abroad.

Our course will ensure you practise a wide range of skills that will make you attractive to future employers in the sector of your choice.

As a Modern Languages student, you will have access to the School of Modern Languages’ Multimedia Centre. You can also access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafes, student newspapers and talent shows.

Course structure

Teaching happens through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and one-to-one project supervision.

Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations.

Both schools encourage strong synergy between research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment as staff respond to new research in their teaching.

This course combination offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges, providing a range of core and optional units that will allow you to explore your own interests.

Check back soon to view the programme catalogue containing further details on the course structure and modules.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

AAB including an essay based subject. Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
BBB including an essay based subject. Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma and including an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay based subject. Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher level in an essay based subject. Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
80% overall, with 8.0 in an essay based subject. Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
Advanced Higher: AB including an essay based subject, and Standard Higher: AAABB Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits (with 9 at Distinction) in a single essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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