Modern Languages (Italian and Spanish) and International Relations
Modern Languages in Italian and Spanish combined with International Relations is a degree that prepares you to engage with the world in multiple registers: linguistically, culturally and analytically. Italian and Spanish together give you access to a remarkable sweep of the globe. Spanish is spoken by over 500 million people across two continents, making it the second most widely spoken language in the world by native speakers.
Italian is the language of one of Europe's major economies and one of its most influential cultural traditions. Studying both alongside international relations means you can understand the politics and diplomacy of the Spanish- and Italian-speaking worlds in their own terms.
At the University of St Andrews, this four-year MA (Hons) programme develops your proficiency in both Italian and Spanish to a high level, engaging with literature, culture, history, politics and film from both linguistic traditions. You will also study the principles and practice of international relations: how states interact, how international institutions work, how conflict is managed and how global governance is constructed. The degree includes a year abroad, which is an essential component of language study at this level, giving you the opportunity to live and study in one or both of your target language communities.
The combination of two major world languages and a rigorous analytical understanding of international affairs is genuinely unusual and valuable. It opens doors not just in the obvious destinations of translation, diplomacy and international organisations, but across global business, journalism, development work, law and the creative industries.
Graduates work in the civil service, the diplomatic service, international organisations, multinational businesses, NGOs, journalism, publishing, law and education. Postgraduate study in international relations, European studies, translation, area studies or law is a natural continuation.