Learn Spanish and critically analyse the dynamics that shape our world.
Year of entry: 2026/27
Engage with the latest political thinking on current events. Understand the role of emerging nations and how world events can affect the delicate balance of global power. You'll explore the political significance of global issues, and just how close to home they resonate.
Study what you're passionate about. With a wide range of option modules available, this course is highly customisable. Covering the full breadth of the subject area, you'll be able to tailor your degree to focus on the areas of international relations and languages that interest you most.
Develop your language proficiency. You'll be taught in the language you’re learning, with a focus on society, politics and culture. Guided by our supportive staff, many of whom are native speakers, you’ll rapidly develop your fluency and knowledge. If you choose Spanish as a beginner (ab initio), you’ll be amazed how you progress.
Immerse yourself in language and culture with a year abroad. You’ll study at one of our partner universities or take a work placement or internship. Past placements have been in the media, translation, heritage, marketing and finance sectors around the world. Your plans will be supported by our year abroad coordinators.
The thing that sold me on studying International Relations at York was the options available to me here. There are chances to study abroad, work a year in industry, volunteer, and so much more. It can sound overwhelming in the beginning, but the Politics staff are incredibly supportive. They’ll help you to explore your options.
Throughout your degree, you'll learn how to think politically about some of today's most pressing issues, whilst becoming a proficient user of Spanish. In your first year, you'll gain a solid foundation in analysing global politics. In your second and final year, you'll build upon this foundation and choose from a range of option modules. You'll be able to tailor your degree to match your own academic interests.
You’ll go abroad in your third year. You can choose a work placement, internship or studying at one of our partner universities. Our internship students have been to a wide range of organisations including in schools, the heritage sector, the media, translation, marketing and finance sectors around the world. Your plans will be supported by our departmental year abroad coordinators.
In your first year, you'll study two core modules in international relations and three in Spanish. You'll also study one international relations option module.
You'll study one option module. Examples can be found below. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
In your second year, you'll study three core modules and three option modules. You'll continue to develop your language skills, whilst further exploring core topics in international relations. You'll then start to explore the impressive breadth of option modules available to you as a student in the Department of Politics and International Relations.
You'll study three option modules. Examples can be found below. If you choose Plurilingualism, you must choose an additional language option. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
In your third year, you’ll go abroad for a year. You can choose to study at another university or complete a work placement/internship. You may also be able to complete a British Council English Language Assistantship. The year abroad is assessed on a pass/fail basis by the University of York.
Immersing yourself in the language and culture of another country will enable you to become fluent in the language, both orally and written. The skills you gain will prepare you for both your final year of study and your future career.
In your final year, you'll study a core dissertation and one other core language module. You'll also study three option modules.
The dissertation is a chance for you to study a topic of your choice in depth. With the support of a supervisor, you'll identify a question and conduct independent research to find an answer. You will have the opportunity to learn and use quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques, which are essential for modern social science research.
You'll study three option modules. If you choose Translation: Methodology and Practice, you must also choose another language option. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2026/27 throughout the year.
Just four UK universities are rated Gold for teaching and top ten for research* in the latest national assessment exercises.
* Awarded joint 10th in the Times Higher Education ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
You'll engage in a dynamic learning environment that combines:
We also offer additional support through our Peer Assisted Learning programme. This scheme is designed to enhance your communication skills and foster strong collaboration among your peers.
Our language modules are taught in the language of study, and many of our staff are native-speakers of the languages we teach. You'll be supported to communicate and complete your assessments in Spanish. We also emphasise issues in culture and society as part of our teaching. This will help you to develop transcultural awareness that underpins your language skills.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
You'll use the languages e-lab throughout your studies. In this space, you'll have access to a variety of resources. This includes specialist linguistics software and online language-learning materials.
You'll be based in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science and Department of Politics, both on Campus West. Most of your teaching will take place on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
Assessment varies from module to module and includes a combination of exams, written essays and project work; oral and listening exams.
Your year abroad is assessed. All students must complete two assessments in their language of study. If you are studying at a university, you must attend courses and sit the exams. If you are on a work or teaching placement, you must satisfactorily complete the duties set out in the placement agreement. However, your marks on the year abroad assessments do not contribute towards your overall degree mark.
To all prospective students considering studying a new language at York, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take the leap. Whether you’re interested in French literature, eager to explore Mandarin, or intrigued by the beauty of Arabic writing, York has language learning opportunities for everyone.
An international relations with a language degree is recognised by employers worldwide. You'll learn how to operate in international, transnational and multilingual professional environments. We also have dedicated career staff to support you with advice and guidance, should you need it.
We work with employers to hold regular events designed to inspire you to think about your career beyond your degree. Some of our recent events have focused on translation and language technologies, and gaining relevant employment skills.
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher. |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall average |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points |
| T levels | We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Scottish Highers - AABBB Advanced Highers - not required for entry We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You can take the language part of this programme ab initio (from scratch, or with a qualification at AS level or below), or you can study on a route designed for those who have an A level in this language.
Our language programmes are designed to develop fluency. For this reason we do not normally offer places to native or near-native speakers who wish to study their own language.
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offer | BBB |
| EPQ | If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
| Core Maths | If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| IB English | A score of 4 in English A or 5 in English B (Higher Level or Standard Level) |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 Communicator High Pass with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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