International Relations with Languages BA (Hons)

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Overview
Structure and assessment
Facilities and features
Opportunities and careers
more about your DMU
Contact us

Overview

The International Relations degree at DMU helps you to develop an in-depth understanding of the underlying forces that shape global decisions. You will study the crucial issues in contemporary international politics: the rise of new powers such as China and India, the crisis in Syria, the challenges of resolving the Eurozone crisis, the problems of facing terrorism and the persistence of poverty and inequality in the global south.

You can combine International Relations with a foreign language, from beginners to post-GCSE level. At a time when the graduate employment market is very competitive, having a recognised competence in a foreign language can set you apart from most other graduates and enhance your career prospects.

Competence in another language has become an essential skill for success in the global job market. By combining your study of Human Resource Management with a language, you will develop not only competence in the language itself, but will also enhance your employability; a language distinguishes you from other graduates.

Did you know that French is an official language in 32 countries, with a projected growth to 750 million people worldwide by 2050; Mandarin Chinese is currently the language with the greatest number of speakers; and Spanish has over 470 million speakers worldwide including in Central and South American countries and the USA? You can start your study of languages at DMU (French, Mandarin or Spanish) at beginner, GCSE (intermediate) or Advanced level.

You will take a 30 credit beginners’ or post-GSCE module in your chosen language (which will equate to two hours of language classes) and one hour of cultural studies per week, learning about the country and its people. You will also have the opportunity to put your skills into practice by studying abroad between years two and three.

You can study either:

International Relations with French (at beginners’ or post-GCSE level)
International Relations with Mandarin Chinese (at beginner level only), with the opportunity to experience Chinese life on campus at the Confucius Institute
International Relations with Spanish

Reasons to study International Relations with Languages at DMU:

Innovative teaching approaches linking theory and practice
such as simulations, engagement with House of Commons committees and the DMU Policy Commission
The only university in the UK to hold both Congress to Campus and European Parliament to Campus
with former members of US Congress and former Members of European Parliament to enhance your study experience
A unique learning environment, with the opportunity to participate in real debates, attend conferences and learn from guest speakers
which have included prominent political figures such as the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the House of Commons Speaker, Rt Hon John Bercow
DMU is recognised as a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence
as a result of research and teaching excellence in European studies
Boost your employability
by having a recognised competence in either French or Mandarin Chinese

Opportunity to study abroad
between years two and three, giving you the chance to experience a different culture, practice your language skills and make new contacts

Enjoy an international experience with #DMUglobal
trips have included Hong Kong, Berlin, Brussels, Washington and New York
Enhance your employability
through a recognised competence in a foreign language, distinguishing you from other graduates and significantly improving your career prospects

Placement opportunities with local, national and global companies
including Rolls Royce, GlaxoSmithKline, Heathrow Airport and the House of Commons

Scholarships

At DMU, we are committed to helping our graduates enhance their careers and personal development through further study.

#DMU Global High Flyers Award
The #DMUglobal High Flyers Award offers students a discount of up to £1,000 towards a #DMUglobal opportunity (subject to terms and conditions).

Vice-Chancellor’s Sports Scholarship
Find out more about the Vice-Chancellor's Sports Scholarships worth up to £6,000.

International Scholarships
Find out about available scholarships and country specific fee discounts for international students.

More courses like this:

Economics and Politics BA (Hons)
Politics BA (Hons)
International Relations (Joint Honours) BA (Hons)

UK/EU
International

Key facts for UK/EU students

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code:

International Relations with French: L250
International Relations with Mandarin Chinese: L250
International Relations with Spanish: L250

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with a placement.

Fees and funding: For 2018/19 tuition fees will be £9,250

Find out more about tuition fees and available funding.

Find out more about additional costs and optional extras associated with this course.

Contact us: For more information complete our online enquiry form or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

Twitter: @dmubal

Instagram: @dmu_bal

Key facts for international students

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code:

International Relations with French: L250
International Relations with Mandarin Chinese: L250
International Relations with Spanish: L250

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with a placement.

Three years full-time, four years with a placement.

Fees and funding: For 2019/20 tuition fees will be £13,250

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

Additional costs and optional extras associated with this course

Contact us: For more information complete our online enquiry form or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

Twitter: @dmubal

Instagram: @dmu_bal

Entry criteria

A typical offer is 112 UCAS points. You need to study at least two subjects at A-level or equivalent (e.g. BTEC)
International Baccalaureate: 26 + points
All students must have at least five GCSEs grades A–C including English Language and Maths. Pass Access with 30 Level 3 credits at Merit (or equivalent). English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSE required as separate qualifications at grade C

We will normally require students to have had a break from full time education before undertaking the Access course

Mature students

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

English language

If English is not your first language, an IELTS core of 6.0 (including a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent is normally required.

UCAS Tariff changes

Students applying for courses starting after September 2017 will be made offers based on a new UCAS Tariff. Find out more.

Structure and assessment

Year 1

Year 2

Language Module
Politics in Action
Themes and Debates in Contemporary International Relations Theory
Political Analysis

Plus two of the following options:
The Making of a Global World
The Politics of the European Union
Unity and Diversity in Contemporary America
The Cold War
Corruption and its Avoidance

Year 3

Language Module
International Relations Dissertation

Plus three of these options:
International Security in a Globalised World
Politics of Nationalism
Globalisation and Democracy
American Presidency
Policy Commission
Power, Politics and Morality

Note: These modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Exact modules may vary in order to keep content current. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review.

Teaching and assessment

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work and self-directed study. Assessment is through coursework (presentations, essays and reports) and usually an exam or test, which is typically weighted as follows in your first year:

Exam: 33%
Coursework: 67%

These assessment weightings are indicative only. The exact weighting may vary depending on option modules chosen by students and teaching methods deployed by the academic member of staff each year. Indicative assessment weighting and assessment type per module are shown as part of the module information. Again these are based on the current academic session.

You will take a 30 credit beginners’ or post-GSCE module in your chosen language, which will equate to two hours of language classes and one hour of cultural studies per week, learning about the country and its people.

Teaching contact hours

This is a full-time course and in total you should be prepared to devote approximately 38 hours a week to your studies. In the first year, you will typically have up to 14 contact hours of teaching most weeks. Teaching is through a mix of lectures, tutorials, seminars and lab sessions and the breakdown of these activity types is shown in each module description.

Other: In addition each module provides a two hour surgery each week for individual consultation with the lecturer. You will also have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor and careers and/or subject meetings scheduled throughout the year.

Self-directed study: In order to prepare for, and assimilate, the work in lectures and seminars you will be expected to use our on-line resources, participate in flipped or virtual classroom discussions on our virtual learning environment (VLE) and engage in personal study and revision for approximately 25 hours per week.

Subsequent years follow a similar pattern; however, the contact time will vary depending on your subject mix and options chosen, and the teaching methods appropriate to the module. Further details are contained in each module description.

Facilities and features

Hugh Aston Building

You will be taught in the Hugh Aston Building, which was purpose-built at a cost of £35 million.

Students benefit from a dedicated law environment complete with its own mock courtroom, client interviewing room and an integrated law library.

Facilities also include lecture theatres and classrooms with capacities ranging from 50 to 250 people, break-out spaces for group work, quiet study zones for individual work and a large number of high-spec IT labs, some of which are installed with professional software.

The Newarke café in Hugh Aston provides Costa Coffee as well a range of snacks and refreshments

Library services

We have 1,500 study places and 650 computer workstations across four sites on campus. These give access to more than half a million publications, an extensive range of DVDs, e-resources and thousands of electronic journals.

The main Kimberlin Library is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year (other than in exceptional circumstances).

Award-winning staff are on hand to help and there is a café for study breaks. We offer a range of workshops, drop-in and one-to-one sessions, and our Just Ask service provides email and telephone support.

Campus Centre

The current home of De Montfort Students' Union (DSU), Campus Centre, has been completely refurbished to create a modern environment for DSU improving the student experience.

The new-look Campus Centre is the hub for student life. On the ground floor, visitors can eat or drink at a café selling Starbucks coffee, at Subway or at Milly Lane’s, the campus’ newest eatery run by DSU, selling freshly handmade hot and cold food, coffee and smoothies.

Also on the ground floor is a Spar and Subway. There is also the DSU-owned charitable accommodation service Sulets and SUpplies, DSU’s shop, selling art supplies stationary and clothing, and offering printing and binding services.

A newly-created staircase in the centre of the building leads up to the first floor, where the DSU officer team has new offices.

Opportunities and careers

#DMUglobal

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through #DMUglobal, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Our #DMUglobal High Flyers Award offers students a discount of up to £1,000 towards a #DMUglobal opportunity (terms and conditions apply).

Placements

An optional paid placement year offers invaluable professional experience.

We can help you secure a placement through activities such as mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and you will be assigned a personal tutor to support you throughout your placement.

We advertise posts in all locations in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, including some international posts.

Our students have taken placements with companies including Rolls Royce, GlaxoSmithKline, Heathrow Airport and the House of Commons.

For further details visit our placements page or contact @DMUBALPlacements.

Graduate careers

The course prepares you for senior roles in public and private organisations where you can influence major decisions that affect us all.

The public sector is the UK’s largest employer and one of the most diverse, challenging and exciting sectors in which to work.

There is real demand for managers who understand the implications of the global financial crisis, climate change, sustainable development, health care and other issues affecting contemporary society.