4 years full-time with integrated year abroad
UCAS Code:
International Relations and French LR2C
International Relations and German LR2G
International Relations and Spanish LR2K
Typical Offers
A Levels: ABB/ABC/BBB from 3 A-levels, including at least one of French, German or Spanish Grade B. General Studies accepted. Aston DOES NOT accept the double AS qualification in lieu of 2 AS-levels.
IB: 32-34 points in the IB diploma including TOK/Bonus points. Standard level Maths and English 5 required and 6 in Higher Level French, German or Spanish.
Access: Pass Access to HE Diploma with Merit in each module. Humanities or Social Sciences Access course preferred, but other courses considered on an individual basis. A-level grade B in French, German or Spanish or equivalent.
BTEC: National Extended Diploma DDD. A-level grade B in French, German, Spanish or equivalent. Mix of Diploma/ Subsidiary Diploma/A-levels acceptable.
We accept a wide range of UK, EU and International qualifications: please contact us for further advice.
Specific subject requirements:
GCSE English Language and Maths Grade C.
Applicants receiving offers are invited to an open day.
Tuition fees: £9,000 (£1,000 during placement year) for UK/EU students. (2013). More on fees
Scholarships available for 2013
- 4th for Languages Graduate Jobs in the Sunday Times 2013
- 6th for Languages Graduate Level Destinations sixth months after Graduation - Guardian 2013
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Internationally recognised research, backed by the Aston Centre for Europe (ACE)
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Contemporary and applied focus, with a high level of teaching delivered in the target language.
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This program highlights the benefits of an interdisciplinary course of study. A combination of courses reflecting the current state of global affairs, with a particular European focus, allows students to maximize their understanding of political institutional arrangements and practices while honing their chosen language skills while focusing on topics of contemporary social and political interest.
Students will begin their course of study acquiring a sound knowledge of domestic and international politics. Upon completion students will have a sound understanding of the nature of global and European and domestic political institutions, which, when combined with the year abroad component of this degree program, will set them on a strong career path further developing the language and critical thinking skills acquired during their four years at Aston University.
Josh Benjamin, winner of the LSS Student Video Competition, puts students on the spot and asks them to describe the School of Languages & Social Sciences in one word - 'I feel this shows viewers how the students themselves view the department they study in'.
Sample module options
The following module descriptions are indications only - the modules on offer and the content of the modules is subject to change.
First Year
French/German/Spanish Language Skills (written & spoken); modules in French/German/Spanish Film, culture, media, history, politics.
This module offers an introduction into world politics and international relations. We inhabit a world of rapid change and solid knowledge of the underlying structures, dynamics and processes of international relations will be essential for your future professional (and private) life. During Teaching Period 1, we will focus on the pillars of the state system, introduce some key concepts, the theoretical traditions of realism and liberalism and examine the causes of cooperation and conflict. During Teaching Period 2, our emphasis will be on international law and international organisations such as the UN and the EU. We will also look at the structure of the global political economy, analysing the global financial system, international trade and development. We will also investigate topics such as environmental issues, terrorism and religion in international relations.
Assessment: Two-Hour exam at the end of each Teaching Period (50% each)
This module provides an analytical and substantive overview of European history from 1789 to the present, with a focus on the post-1945 period. The module is structured thematically. Students will analyse and interrogate certain critical junctures in European history that have determined the shape of both the European continent and the contemporary world. The primary aim of the course is to provide an empirical background for students in the international history of Europe from the 19th to 21st centuries that will allow students to apply, contextualise and better understand the political science and international relations theories that form the focus of the other core modules.
Assessment: two examinations, 1x 2 hour (January), 1x 3 hour (May).
This module provides you with a good knowledge of formulating and analyzing research questions and presenting sources in an academically relevant way. Students will be able to learn to research, plan and structure an essay; acquire language specific features of essay writing; identify the research tools in the library; work into a virtual learning environment; and use electronic resources to polish their work.
Assessment: A Take Away Paper at the end of the Teaching Period.
Second Year
French/German/Spanish Language Skills (written & spoken); modules in French/German/Spanish Film, culture, media, history, politics.
This module seeks to provide you with a broad understanding of the design and conduct of research into political and social topics. Students learn about the basic concepts related to the design and conduct of research, such as ontology and epistemology. They also learn about the main schools of political and social enquiry and the tools that are utilised in social science research. There is analysis of the main traps and pitfalls in the way that data is collected, manipulated and presented, so that students avoid these traps and are alert to abuses by others.
Assessment: An assignment or assignments to the equivalent of 1,800 words in TP2.
This module seeks to provide you with a strong understanding of the institutional configuration of the EU and how these institutions have been shaped by the relations between member states of the European Union. The module introduces you to the theories of European integration, and challenges you to assess competing views on the dynamics of the integration process over time. In the second part of the module, we explore a core set of policies areas of the EU, and students are asked to relate the politics and institutional make-up of the EU to developments in those policy fields.
Assessment: A 2-hour exam at the beginning of Teaching Period 2.
Analysing dynamics and events in world politics does not happen in a conceptual and theoretical vacuum. Theoretical approaches provide us with the tools to make sense of the complex and colourful reality that is contemporary international relations. In this 20-cr module we will look at the various competing theoretical frameworks of international relations. We will learn how international relations has developed as an academic discipline through the analysis of four theoretical debates that constitute international relations. We will also discuss how political philosophy has influenced the way we view contemporary world politics.
Assessment: Essay in Teaching Period 1 (50%), Exam in Teaching Period 2 (50%)
This module introduces students to key debates in security studies. The course is a mix of theoretical inquiry and empirical application. First, the module introduces students to the development of key theoretical perspectives in security studies., such as the traditional schools of realism and liberalism, through to critical security studies, constructivism and human security amongst others. After this, the module moves on to a range of traditional and non-traditional security challenges, and using the theoretical frameworks introduced, discusses issues including warfare, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking and the defence trade.
Assessment: exam (50%) and 2,000 – 3,000 word group report (50%)
Final Year
French/German/Spanish Language Skills (written & spoken); modules in French/German/Spanish Film, culture, media, history, politics.
This course aims to enable students to research in significant depth a topic in International Relations. Students will produce an independently researched piece of work, supervised by a lecturer from International Relations.
Assessment 4,000-6,000 word dissertation (100%)
Extended International Relations Dissertation (LP3006): 10,000 word dissertation (80%) and oral exam (20%)
This module examines theories of leadership, and looks at the evolution of the phenomenon, in Europe and the United States, in Latin America, and beyond. We focus particularly upon the rhetoric and styles of particular leaders, and the ways in which they persuade and generate allegiance. How they ‘perform’ and what are the historical, cultural, and institutional conditions of their performance. We look at a range of leaders, often comparing them – Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, for example, or Churchill and de Gaulle. Some leaders we look at in minute detail: JFK’s press conferences, MLK’s March on Washington speech, X’s The Ballot or the Bullet, etc. We also look at particular issues, such as the changing conditions of leadership style, women in politics, political rhetoric, the role of culture, and the role of the media.
Assessment method: 3, 000-word essay
The module provides a detailed overview of the interplay between religion and politics in Europe. EU enlargement - to countries in Central and Eastern Europe in 2004, the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007, and increasing debates on Turkey's membership - has dramatically transformed the European Union into a multi-religious space. Religious communities are not only shaping identities but are also influential factors in political discourse. This module examines the activities of religious actors in the context of supranational European institutions and the ways in which they have responded to the idea of Europe at local and international levels. It analyses key religious factors in contemporary EU architecture, such as the transformation of religious identities, the role of political and religious leaders, EU legislation on religion, and the activities of religious lobbies.
Assessment method: 5,000-word essay to be completed and submitted by the last week of Teaching Period One.
Campus accommodation guaranteed for first year and final year students returning from year abroad.
The Third Year of your course is spent abroad in a French, German or Spanish speaking country, increasing your fluency in your language(s), immersing yourself in an exciting new culture, and adding value to your degree.
The Year Abroad is an integral, assessed part of your studies at Aston, fully supported by us, and of direct relevance to your degree programme.
A distinctive feature of our Year Abroad is the flexibility that we offer. You will be able to choose between undertaking a work placement with a company abroad; working as a teaching assistant in a school or studying at one of our partner universities abroad. You may even choose to combine several of these different options! If you are studying two languages you will normally divide your time equally between the two countries where each of your languages are spoken.
Find out more about the Year Abroad at Aston
You will take part in interactive seminars, presentations and group work as well as
attending lectures and tutorials. There are also opportunities for individual research and guided study. We teach our courses in the language(s) being studied, which means that our students are at a real advantage when it comes to gaining maximum benefit and experience from the year abroad.
You will be allocated a personal tutor who you can provide help and advice.
Assessment is through a combination of written and oral exams, coursework, essays, presentations and an extended dissertation during your final year.
Languages at Aston is ranked 5th best in the UK for Unemployment proportions in the 2013 Sunday Times.
Our graduates are in demand from a wide range of employers who value their understanding of different cultures and societies, their communication skills and motivation for team work. Recent destinations for our Languages and Social Sciences graduates include:
The School of Languages and Social Sciences has a dedicated Learning Support Team and excellent facilities including:
- 70 computers in 4 rooms
- Streamed satellite television (French, German, Spanish)
- TRADOS and memoQ Translation Software
- Free DVD library (French, Spanish, German, English)
- Audio and video-editing tools
Read what the International Realtions and Languages staff have to say about the course:
"International relations at Aston offers a fascinating insight into the challenges facing our societies in the 21st century. It is also home to the Aston Centre for Europe, a world-class research facility for the study of Europe which provides access the most up-to-date new thinking on all matters relating to Europe. We aim to prepare our students thoroughly for demanding, often international, careers and the placement year gives our students a distinct advantage on the graduate labour market.''
Dr Raquel Medina - Head of Languages and Translation Studies
'We are a dynamic, supportive, and dedicated group of lecturers and teaching fellows with many years of experience. We understand that it is essential for our students to be linguistically and culturally equipped with the necessary tools to succeed. We teach our entire degree programmes in the target language and focus on providing students with the practical linguistic, analytical and communications skills that they will apply in their future careers.''
School of Languages and Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions
Tel: 0121 204 3700
Email: lss_ugadmissions@aston.ac.uk
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