French and International Relations, BA, University of Leeds

Course content

A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you'll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.

You'll spend your first year exploring the key concepts and issues in international relations, considering the ways in which politics is conducted across the globe. You'll also improve your spoken and written French and take one of our Cornerstone modules, which help you make connections between your subjects.

This will prepare you for the rest of your degree. You'll balance core modules in language and the principles of international relations with optional modules that allow you to tailor your degree to your interests. You'll be able to work on topics from political issues in Africa, translation and interpreting or politics and society in Israel.

You'll spend your third year working or studying in a Francophone country, improving your language skills and immersing yourself in the local culture. In your final year, you'll even demonstrate the skills and knowledge you've acquired throughout the degree by independently researching a dissertation on a topic of your choice.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Entry requirements, fees and applying

  Entry requirements

  A-level: ABB including A in French.

  • Career opportunities

    A Joint Honours degree in French and International Relations could be the starting point for exploring a wide range of ideas. You'll be fluent in a major world language, and you'll have an in-depth understanding of the global political landscape. Moreover, you'll also have valuable transferable skills that appeal to employers in all industries.

    As well as political, commercial and cultural awareness, you'll be an excellent communicator with strong presentation skills. You'll be able to think critically and analyse complex information before drawing your own conclusions. Spending time abroad will prove your resilience and independence, but you'll also be confident working within a team. By juggling two different subjects, you will also have developed invaluable organisational skills.

    Graduates have succeeded in careers like diplomacy, journalism, business and finance, education, the media, marketing and the civil service. Many have pursued language-based roles in translating or interpreting, or gone into postgraduate training in these areas.

    Careers support

    We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

    Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

    The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

  • Study abroad and work placements

    You'll spend your third year in France or another Francophone country, immersing yourself in local culture and cultivating your language skills.

    We have partnerships with a number of universities in the region where you could study, or you could undertake a work placement. You could even work as a language assistant in a school under the British Council's programme.

    Whatever you choose to do, you'll gain a new insight into a French-speaking society as well as valuable experience of adapting to another culture. If you choose to work during your time there, you'll also return with work experience to increase your appeal to employers. For many of our students, it's the real highlight of their course.

    Read more about Residence Abroad in French