Why study International Relations and Spanish at Aberystwyth University?

• There is a wide range of expertise available within the Department of Modern Languages and this is reflected in the module choices we offer. Students could choose modules on linguistics (both modern and historical); European Culture, Film and Literature; European Linguistics; Language of Business and Current Affairs.
• All students on this course will spend their third year living independently in a Spanish speaking country. You could choose to study at University, work as a language assistant or other forms of work placements.
• The Department of International Politics offers you the opportunity to explore modules which include Global challenges, Politics in the 21st Century, War, Strategy and Intelligence, Capitalism, Intelligence and International Security to name a few.
• As a student in the Department of International Politics, you will study in the world's first department of international politics that was founded after the First World War to help the world understand the world.
• During the first year, you will receive a comprehensive introduction to French studies and related research skills, in tutorial form.
• The Department of International Politics provides many opportunities of extra curricular activities during the duration of the course. A highlight of the course for many students is the renowned Crisis Games which is a three day role playing exercise in political, economics and diplomatic manoeuvre, developing negotiation and communication, critical thinking team work and problem solving skills.
• Modern Language graduates are statistically amongst the most employable graduates. In the 2017 Destination of Leavers for Higher Education report published in 2018 demonstrated that a degree in Modern Languages provides a clear pathway to employment or further study. For our department, 95% of our graduates were in work or further study within 6 months after graduating (HESA 2018). In addition, the recent Good University Guide published by the Times and the Sunday Times ranked us as a top 10 in the UK for the subject area of Iberian studies. Our purposeful teaching ensures that you will have a smooth transition from campus to career.
• This degree is available to beginners and advanced students. Beginners will follow an intensive course in the first year.

Our Staff

All of the lecturers in the Department of Modern Languages are qualified to PhD level and are research active specialists in their chosen field. We also employ highly qualified and experienced language tutors, and native-speakers, who will ensure that your learning is of the highest possible quality and who will provide you with constant support through your years of study.

Lecturers in the Department of International Politics are all research active and qualified to PhD level, and most also have a PGCHE.

Employability is embedded within all courses provided by us. Our degrees provide a solid foundation for a vast array of careers across a range of sectors. In a rapidly shifting global economy, our graduates are adaptable and able to draw on a range of transferable skills, ensuring that they are always in demand.

Transferable Skills

Studying for a degree in Spanish and International Relations will equip you with a range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. These include:

• the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form
• effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills
• the ability to work independently
• time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines
• self-motivation and self-reliance
• team-working, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement
• research skills.

What opportunities are there for me whilst studying at University?

Employability is embedded across our teaching. We teach our students to aim for the career they want, not the job that they can get.

• The Department operates a prestigious Parliamentary Placement scheme, enabling you to gain valuable experience working alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or an AM (Welsh Assembly, Cardiff) for a period of 4-6 weeks during the summer. During this time, you will write reports and speeches, undertake research projects, and respond to constituency issues. There may be further opportunities for you to get involved in elections and various international issues.
• The Department is also home to Interstate, the oldest student-run international politics journal in the United Kingdom, providing a unique opportunity for you to publish your work (particularly advantageous if you wish to progress to postgraduate study) or gain valuable experience working as part of the editorial team. Stimulating student societies foster a strong sense of community within the department, offering a programme of political debates, visiting speakers, conferences and workshops, alongside numerous social activities such as an annual ball.

What work experience opportunities exist whilst studying?

Click here to find out about the various opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer.

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department.

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four year degree scheme.

During your four years, you will have four weekly hours of language work, which includes:

• Oral
• Written
• Aural
• Translation

In your first year you will have the opportunity to explore:

• A range of perspectives and approaches to the study of international politics;
• The development and progress of international relations during the twentieth century;
• The different methodologies to analyse topical issues in international and domestic politics;
• Political theory & key political issues;
• Explore the range of skills required for Spanish studies, and present at first independent research.
• Hispanic Civilization;
• Discover the language through film, language and identity.
• Contemporary political problems and how they are portrayed;
• Key issues in the fields of War, Strategy and Intelligence.

In your third year you will embark on your Year Abroad of studying or work placements through the Erasmus + Programme.

In your second and fourth years you will have the opportunity to explore:

• theories, approaches and perspectives in international relations
• a range of challenges facing the international system, such as globalisation, international security, the environment, inequality, global health, conflict and post conflict environments
• and develop your language competencies further after your year spent in Spain
• a range of modules on Literature, Film, Culture, Business
• Romance Linguistics
• Spanish American Cinema
• Spanish Cinema ii: New Tendencies
• a variety of regional and national politics including Latin American, Russia, Europe and the EU, the BRICS, the Middle East, the UK
• teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
• and conduct your independent research, with tutorial supervision
• international twentieth century history and the Cold War
• and undertake a compulsory dissertation to demonstrate your substantive knowledge in your chosen subject area.

How will I be taught?

We deliver this degree through the medium of lectures and seminars.

We will assign you a personal tutor who will be with you throughout your degree, this person will help you any problems whether these are academic-related or personal issues.

We assess our students through essays, reports, examinations, book reviews, learning logs and presentations.

We encourage our students to take part in the Crisis Games, which is a yearly residential event away from Aberystwyth. Crisis games have been based on humanitarian crises, the Northern Ireland peace process, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US presidential election, environmental disaster in the Arctic, war between Russia and Georgia. The Crisis Games will allow you to learn about aspects of international politics which cannot be taught in lectures and seminars, especially the constraints which political leaders face in responding to various crises. This is no doubt, the highlight of the year.

I love the International Politics course, because it's a subject that attracts a wide range of people both from around the UK and internationally, meaning you meet a wide range of people and opinions. The seminars allow for great discussion and learning, and the lectures themselves are interesting with just as interesting lecturers!

Roxy Taylor

The Department of international Politics has provided me with a new-found understanding of the world through modules on issues surrounding concepts of globalisation to the lives of women in the Third World. With experts in so many fields it is great having such an approachable set of tutors. My three years here at Aberystwyth have been educational as well as enjoyable and I would recommend studying here to anyone.

Hannah Mitchell

Great lecturers, great building, great people on the course!

Matthew David Bold