Languages and International Relations, BA Hons
Our languages and international relations degree offers you language skills and an understanding of how international relations shape our world view - ideal if you're looking for global careers.
You can expand your knowledge of culture and politics with our degree in languages and international relations. You can also study up to two languages, chosen from Mandarin, Spanish, French or Italian, at a level that suits you. This will enable you to take a final-year work placement in an international organisation. Taking part in an Erasmus+ student exchange is also an option.
Our languages and international relations graduates develop valuable transferable skills that are attractive to employers, including an ability to communicate across cultures. Possible careers include roles in national and international government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), public services, management, education, business, tourism, PR, translation and media.
UCAS points
104 (full requirements below)
Course/institution codes
LT22 G BA/IS
Location
Duration
- 3 years full-time
- 6 years part-time
- 4 years sandwich
Start month
September
Home* /international fees 2025/26
£9,535 /£17,500
What you should know about this course
* The Department for Education has indicated that it intends to raise the Home tuition fee limit from £9,250 to £9,535 for 2025/26.
What you will study
About the course team
You will be taught by an experienced team of experts, which includes senior academics and practitioners with industry experience. Trained postgraduate researchers may also contribute to seminar teaching with the module leader. Teaching is informed by our research and writing.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
- 104 UCAS Tariff points. We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, Access to HE and all other qualifications with UCAS Tariff points.
Contextual Admissions
- We make Contextual offers to this programme. Applicants that meet specific eligibility criteria will be made a contextual offer with a reduced tariff of up to 16 UCAS Tariff points. Other entry requirements such as GCSEs, Interview, etc., will still need to be met. For further information, please see our Contextual Admissions Policy.
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
For more information, please use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000. You can also read our admissions policy.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
For entry: applicants with non-traditional qualifications or appropriate professional experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For exemption: If you hold qualifications or courses from another higher education institution, these may exempt you from modules of this degree.
How you will learn
Teaching
Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.
You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.
Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
The typical student intake per year averages 60-80. Typically, language classes may have 25-30 students per class. Lectures usually are attended by larger groups and seminars/tutorials by smaller groups. This can vary more widely for modules that are shared between degrees.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate time to self-study. This may involve further reading and research, preparing coursework and presentations, preparing for tests and exams, and independent language learning.
You can use Stockwell Street Library, online resources, and our language centre to support you in these activities.
In addition, during the week you can also:
- Attend additional support classes in some modules
- Attend guest lectures from industry experts
- Take part in employability and enterprise workshops
- Join student societies.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.
Each module you study towards this degree is worth 30 credits. These represent around 300 study hours. If you receive 72 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 228 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.
Assessment
You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please use our contact form.
Official statistics on Discover Uni
Full time
Part time
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home* | £9,535 | £2,384 per 30 credits | N/A |
| International | £17,500 | £4,375 per 30 credits | N/A |
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
* The Department for Education has indicated that it intends to raise the Home tuition fee limit from £9,250 to £9,535 for 2025/26.
Home tuition fee limits: Find out more
Other costs
Course texts and other study resources are available from our Stockwell Street Library, but you may wish to purchase your own copies.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
This course can be taken in sandwich mode, which means you can take a year to work in industry between your second and final years of study. Sandwich placements are relevant to your degree subject and are paid roles. A sandwich placement is an excellent way of preparing you for successfully finding a job quickly when you graduate.
You will also have the option to select a module in your final year for which you will be required to undertake a short-term placement. The module will be assessed on your reflection on this placement and how you can apply your knowledge to the workplace. Many placements are found through our network of industry contacts, and students are supported in securing these.
How long is my placement?
Sandwich placements last for between 9-13 months. Work-based learning module placements are normally one day a week for either one or two terms depending on the number of credits available from the module.
What are the financial arrangements?
Sandwich placements are paid roles whereas work-based learning module placements are normally unpaid.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
The skills you acquire through studying our courses will prepare you for careers in a wide range of industries and jobs. Graduates of this course have gone on to work in areas as diverse as national and international government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), management, public services, education, business, tourism, PR, translation and media.
You may also go on to further study at Master's level or take a teacher-training qualification (PGCE).
Are internships available?
Students are encouraged to take up Summer internships during the Summer holidays, though it is up to the student to find them. Support is available to students from the Employability and Careers Service when applying for placements and internships.
Do you provide employability services?
Employability activities take place all the time at Greenwich and students are encouraged to take part in as many opportunities as possible. The central Employability and Careers Service provides support for students preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles, such as CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops. In addition, your School has a dedicated Employability Officer who will be organising work-related activities throughout the year which will help you to build you industry knowledge and networks.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our undergraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
International relations at the University of Greenwich
Gain an understanding of how international relations shape our world view and enjoy our great location within London – a global city and one of the world’s great political, trading and cultural centres.
Visit our international relations degrees page.
Political insights for Greenwich’s students
The latest event in the ‘Political Insights’ series gave Greenwich’s International Relations students unique insight into the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference.
International relations degrees
Mode of study
Select from the dropdown below.
| Course level | |
| UCAS code | |
| Duration | |
| Location |