Politics and a Modern Language

Politics combined with a modern language is a pairing that equips you for the realities of a world in which political and economic power operates across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Politics develops your understanding of political institutions, theories, ideologies, and processes, giving you the analytical tools to examine how power is exercised and contested at local, national, and international levels. A modern language adds the ability to engage directly with political and cultural life in another language, deepening your understanding of how different societies organise themselves politically and making you a more effective practitioner in any role with an international dimension.

At Cardiff University, you will study politics alongside a modern language over three years full-time, developing both the theoretical and empirical foundations of political science and the linguistic and cultural competency that serious language study requires. The programme is designed to develop you as a global citizen who thinks critically, understands cultural diversity, and carries a range of transferable skills that are valued by employers in the UK and internationally. The combination of political analysis and language competency is particularly well suited to careers in international organisations, diplomacy, journalism, and public affairs.

The typical entry tariff is 136 UCAS points.

Graduates pursue careers in the civil service, the diplomatic service, international organisations, NGOs, journalism with an international focus, political parties and think tanks, international business, and law. The modern language dimension is a genuine differentiator in competitive international labour markets. Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in politics, international relations, or area studies, building on the combination of analytical and linguistic training the undergraduate degree provides.