Studying Politics, International Relations, and a Language

In this episode of CourseCast, I sat down with Charlie and Sarah, two students at the University of Bath studying International Politics with a Language. Charlie combines politics with Spanish, while Sarah studies international relations alongside Mandarin. Together, they offer a grounded, honest account of what it is actually like to study politics or IR alongside a language at university, from day-to-day teaching and assessment to year abroad opportunities and admissions advice.

This episode is particularly useful for students torn between humanities subjects, or those wondering whether combining a ‘theoretical’ discipline like politics with a practical skill like a language is genuinely worthwhile.

Both guests were clear that their course choice was not accidental. For Charlie, the appeal lay in combining long-standing political interest with a desire for genuine linguistic fluency, particularly for careers involving work abroad, such as diplomacy or journalism. Sarah echoed this, emphasising that language study enables access to political realities that cannot be fully understood through English alone.

What emerges strongly is that the degree is not simply two subjects running in parallel. Instead, the combination actively deepens understanding. Political concepts such as authoritarianism, democracy, or state legitimacy are revisited through specific national and cultural contexts, whether that is Argentina under Perón or contemporary China. Language, in this sense, becomes a method of political analysis rather than just an employability add-on.

At Bath, the course is broadly split between politics or international relations modules and language study. On the politics side, first-year students encounter foundational theories and concepts, including liberalism, socialism, and capitalism, alongside introductions to international relations as a discipline. Teaching takes place through lectures supported by smaller seminars, where discussion and debate play a central role.

Language teaching varies significantly depending on entry level. Charlie’s advanced Spanish modules are taught almost entirely in Spanish from the outset, focusing on grammar refinement, translation, and later literary and political texts. Sarah’s ab initio Mandarin course begins more cautiously, but still immerses students quickly, with spoken Mandarin forming a substantial part of classroom instruction even in the first term. Crucially, small class sizes mean students are pushed hard, but also supported closely.

Both students highlighted the sharp transition from A-level structure to university independence. Essays are less prescriptive, reading lists are longer, and expectations around critical engagement are higher. While initially intimidating, this freedom is ultimately described as a strength, allowing students to pursue specific interests within broad political questions.

Reading becomes increasingly important, particularly beyond first year. Charlie noted that second-year lectures assume prior engagement with set texts, while Sarah emphasised that seminars simply do not function if students arrive unprepared. AI tools are used, but cautiously: helpful for revision, grammar checking, or summarising material, but actively discouraged as a substitute for reading or critical thought.

Assessment on the course is varied. Alongside traditional essays and exams, students complete oral presentations in their target language, group projects, and even podcasts. This variety reflects the course’s broader aim: developing analytical, communicative, and collaborative skills rather than training students solely for written exams.

This balance is one of the less obvious strengths of the degree. Students graduate not only able to analyse political systems, but also to communicate across cultures, present ideas clearly, and work in multilingual contexts.

For both Charlie and Sarah, the year abroad is central rather than optional. Charlie plans to study politics in Spanish-speaking universities in Chile and Spain, fully integrated into local classes and assessed alongside native students. Sarah will spend her year in China, focusing intensively on Mandarin while immersed in Chinese academic and social life.

Importantly, both stressed that Bath’s strong culture of placements and study abroad means returning students are not isolated; many peers are also on four-year courses.

When it comes to applying, both guests emphasised depth over breadth. Universities are less interested in long lists of books than in evidence of sustained engagement with a few ideas. Podcasts such as The Rest Is Politics, platforms like TLDR News, MOOCs, and politically informed reading all featured in their personal statements, but always linked back to reflection and curiosity rather than box-ticking.

For joint degrees, structuring the personal statement to show connection between subjects is key. Language and politics are most compelling when presented as mutually reinforcing rather than unrelated interests.

Perhaps the most important takeaway from this episode is reassurance. Studying politics or international relations with a language is not a ‘soft’ option, nor a compromise between interests. It is a demanding, intellectually serious degree that equips students with both analytical depth and real-world relevance.

If you are interested in global politics, culture, and communication, and you want a degree that reflects how the world actually works rather than how it is divided into academic silos, this course is well worth considering.

To hear the full conversation, including detailed discussion of student life at Bath, sport, societies, and career pathways, you can watch the episode on YouTube.