International Politics and Modern Languages

International politics and language study are a natural combination for anyone who wants to understand how the world's major powers interact and to engage with those interactions directly. Mandarin Chinese is now one of the most consequential languages in global affairs, spoken by more people than any other language and central to understanding China's growing role in international trade, diplomacy, and security. Studying it alongside international politics gives you both the analytical framework to interpret global events and the linguistic tools to engage with one of the world's most important actors.

This four-year full-time programme at the University of Bath integrates the study of international relations, political theory, and global affairs with serious Mandarin language training. It includes a sandwich year, which means you will spend a period in a professional placement setting, gaining real experience of how international and political organisations operate. The programme also includes a work placement, adding practical grounding to a degree that is already rich in analytical content.

With a typical tariff of 168 points, this is a selective programme that expects a high level of academic ability and commitment.

You will develop a rigorous understanding of international relations theory, foreign policy, global governance, security, and the political economy of global trade, while building genuine Mandarin proficiency across reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Bath's strong relationships with employers and organisations across public, private, and third sectors mean the placement year is well supported and often leads directly to graduate opportunities.

Graduates from this programme are well positioned for careers in diplomacy, international civil service, foreign policy analysis, international business, think tanks, journalism, and non-governmental organisations. China-focused roles in government, finance, and consulting are increasingly sought after, and the combination of political analysis and Mandarin fluency is rare and genuinely valued. Further study at postgraduate level in international relations, Chinese studies, or security is another well-trodden path.