Funding
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersStudying international relations with a language gives you the opportunity to step out onto the global stage.
These courses give you the opportunity to study international relations in combination with another language.
An international relations degree will help you to gain appreciation of how states, international organisations, and non-state actors interact on the global stage. This course is about using theories and models to best explain and understand power in the world, why the world is the way it is, and how we can change it. This takes place at all levels, from individuals to whole global systems, and understanding this allows us to question what we think we know, what we think matters, and how we can develop a better world. Supported by knowledgeable and passionate staff, you’ll start by looking at the core critical and emancipatory theories of international relations and their un...
3 years full-time
4 years full-time, with study abroad or placement
During this course, you’ll get a broad grounding in the key issues of today’s world and the contested historical development of world politics; studying topics informed by staff research such as terrorism, security studies, human rights, cultural politics, and many others. You'll also have the opportunity to study international relations in combination with another language. You can choose from:
Modern Standard Arabic:
The demand for studying Arabic continues to rise as economic opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa flourish. Arabic is spoken as the first language for over 200 million people, and is the official language of 22 countries. The demand for studying Arabic has recently grown due to increased economic opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa, and with a low supply of Arabic-speakers in the Western world, it’s certainly a language worth learning.
Mandarin Chinese:
Mandarin is the official language of the People’s Republic of China, with over 800 million speakers. Speaking Mandarin will allow you to communicate with millions of people around the world. In business, people who speak Mandarin have a distinct advantage with the Chinese market, as it is easier to develop all-important relationships when you can speak the language. Whether it’s visiting the Far East or even taking a trip to Manchester’s Chinatown, studying Mandarin provides a portal into an incredible language and culture steeped in history.
Japanese:
Manga, Anime, J-Pop, J-Drama, Karaoke, Japanese cultural exports continue to explode across the Western world. What better way to understand and explore than by learning Japanese? The language is spoken by about 125 million people, and so studying Japanese could give you that all important competitive edge in job interviews, business relationships, and cultural awareness. It also provides a unique gateway to other Asian languages and cultures.
French
More than 75 million people speak French as their native language. French is also one of the official languages in Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland and is spoken widely across the North African countries of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. All told, there are more than 220 million French speakers, worldwide, with French being one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Being a French speaker can open graduate employment opportunities at many organisations, the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the OECD, the African Union, the Council of Europe, the European Union, NATO, or the International Olympic Committee, to name a few. There are also many international businesses who seek graduates with French language skills, such as in consulting (eg CapGemini), finance (eg Société Générale, BNP Paribas, Banque de France) and in wider industrial sectors (eg Edf, Airbus, Alstom).
Spanish:
Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages around the world both in terms of the numbers of speakers, and the global geographical spread. As a global language, Spanish is second only to Mandarin in terms of the number of the world's population who speak it as a first language. It has official status in 21 countries spanning Europe, Africa, North, Central and South America. Spanish has also emerged as the most important language for the UK in an analysis made by the British Council. It is also considered one the easiest languages to learn, and so give it a try and delve into a truly fascinating language and culture.
Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
UK and Channel Islands full-time foundation year fee: £9,250 per year for the foundation year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.
EU and Non-EU international full-time foundation year fee: £20,000 per year. When progressing from the pre-degree foundation year to the linked degree. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study)
Full-time fee: £9,250 per year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.
Full-time fee: £20,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
A degree typically comprises 360 credits, a DipHE 240 credits, a CertHE 120 credits, and an integrated masters 480 credits. The tuition fee for the placement year for those courses that offer this option is £1,850, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study). The tuition fee for the study year abroad for those courses that offer this option is £1,385, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Optional estimate: £400
All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, many students choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop and up to £100 each year for books and printing.
Optional estimate: £31
No costs. However, DBS certification may be occasionally needed for projects requiring research students to work with children – the cost for a standard check is £18 (in 2023). Associated costs including the cost of ID verification through the Post Office Certification Service may be approximately £13.
Optional estimate: £2000
Study abroad or placement. £200 (cost of living) per month for mainland Europe - Period of Residence Abroad is expected to last 10 months = £2,000. Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to engaging with the Turing programme, the UK government scheme to support students to study and work abroad. All study abroad opportunities are subject to application, international travel restrictions and availability.
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersA languages and international relations focused degree allows you to learn many transferable skills that can be used in a multitude of jobs, teaching, translation and interpreting are popular pathways. Languages graduates are also sought after in many different industries, with recent graduates being offered positions in a variety of different sectors both in the UK and abroad.
Adding a language, whatever you choose it to be, makes you stand out in applications. The economic, business and diplomatic opportunities provided by the languages we offer will give you a competitive edge in the jobs market. Languages graduates are also sought after in many different industries, with recent graduates being offered positions in a variety of different sectors both in the UK and abroad.
Most international relations graduates go straight into employment and/or further study. Previous graduates have gone into a variety of careers in the public sector (housing and education departments in councils, the police, the military), government social research roles, utilities, the financial sector, recruitment, journalism, media, non-governmental organisations, charities, development work, teaching, the law and academic research.
There is also the opportunity to engage in further study and professional training. There are a number of postgraduate degrees graduates of this programme could progress to including MA Applied Linguistics, which has two specialisms, one in English language and one in TESOL, MA International Relations and Global Communications, and MSc Digital Society that has specialism in digital politics and digital sociology.
You can apply for the full-time option of this course through UCAS.
UCAS code(s)UCAS code to be confirmed.
Institution code: M40
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current Terms and Conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
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in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
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